Friday June 18, 2010

We met for breakfast at 9 AM (I mistakenly thought it was served until 10 but was told that cleanup would begin at 9:15). I called Anna and Kate to make it quick or be hungry. The breakfast was very generous (frittata, bacon, scone, cereal); we'll need to do some walking! When asked why there was no AC unit in my room, I was told there is central AC in the building. Anna & Katie have their own unit since their room is separate from the house. We went shopping at the Co-op and the Co-op outlet. People were giving out a free water bottle or bag (containing a t-shirt and cup) to advertise student housing.

We visited the Harry Ransom center and saw a movie exhibit (with costumes from "Gone With the Wind" - how tiny the dresses were!) and a Mexico Independence exhibit. I have since read that donations are solicited to repair the costumes on display.

We drove out to Juan in a Million for lunch. Kate finished the Don Juan (egg, potato, bacon, and cheese in a tortilla) which weighs one pound and costs $3.80. No prize was given, but I think you get something if you eat 5 in a row.

Anna's first appointment for an apartment viewing was at 1:30. It was a house with two men but didn't give her a good feeling. It was in a good location but she would need to share the bathroom and they were watching sports when she got there. Kate and I drove around while she toured the house. After that tour, we drove around the area, looking for apartment for rent signs.

Back at the B&B, Anna called "Apartment Finders". There is quite the market in helping students find housing. Kate and I enjoyed Bernie Mac while Anna visited Melody, who then drove all of us to two apartment buildings. Both had studios for rent, which met her budget, but were in an area Anna felt was "too residential". She will need to be able to walk to amenities since she doesn't have a car.

We drove to another apartment complex so Anna could meet Allison. Anna would have her own bathroom but this place is two miles from South Congress. It was cheaper than any of the others at $440. We drove around the neighborhood and saw a nearby fabric store and thrift store (which we stopped at).

We stopped at the Odd Duck for dinner; it offers local organic food out of an Airstream. We ate outside at another picnic table, and read some of the cupcake offerings at the donut trailer (chicken strip, bacon with maple topping, PB&J).

Near dusk, we parked for free at the American Statesman (newspaper) to wait for the bats to fly out from under the Congress Bridge. We read that the mother bats teach their babies how to hunt for bugs from that site. We reminisced a bit but I can't remember the details: Barbie (I think that was the Mom Barbie vs. Teacher Barbie game Anna played once); saltines; mashed potatoes; star spangled banner. We talked about soupy potatoes (Matt not being able to tell a 2-cup measuring cup from a 1-cup). I thought they said "southern soup for Snoopy". My hearing is bad!

We met Tiko the friendly chihuahua and his "brother" Diego, the German Shepherd. They come to the park every night to feed the noisy goose who freaked Katie out. The goose talked like Bonnie, though.

On to Curra's Grill for dinner, so Anna could enjoy an avocado margarita. We ordered two appetizers since we weren't that hungry, but they were HUGE! We had chorizo/chili/cheese and fish/avocado/tomato. We do have access to a refrigerator at the B&B but, with our eating out so much, we don't have time for leftovers. Tomorrow, the search for Asian food.