Chicken Shit Bingo and other fun things I did in Austin, Texas

Austin to me was like stepping back in time to the 1950's. I found it very retro, funky, cool, and still very Texas with their southern hospitality. We enjoyed a long weekend with friends and here's what we did!

 

 

Chicken Shit Bingo!

I couldn't save the best for last. This was the absolute highlight of Austin. Dive bar, $2 Longhorn beers, a chicken name Stella, Ginny Dogs, the infamous country singer Dale Watson, equals the best Sunday of all time.

We arrived at Ginny's Little Longhorn Saloon early to get a good seat. Slowly the crowd rolled in. Old timers, weekly patrons, and newcomers filed in to get a glimpse of Chicken Shit Bingo. Starting at 4pm, Dale Watson plays some old honky tonk to get the crowd dancing.  After selling out all of the bingo tickets, sweet ol Ginny brings in Stella the chicken. In the rear of the bar on a pool table is a large bingo card enclosed with a chicken fence. Everyone gathers around, snapping photos, and waiting for that magical moment when Stella takes a shit. It doesn't take that hen long and the crowd goes crazy. Honestly, if I were Stella and all those people were hootin' and hollerin', I'd crap my pants too! Lucky number 34 is awarded $114. Tradition is to use that money to buy everyone a round of $2 Longhorn beers. Unfortunately this was her first rodeo and she gave the money to her mom for her birthday. 

 Stella looks uncomfortable

We got the dress code memo

 

Oh My God, What Is That Noise? 

Bats!

Every night from March to early November, 1.5 MILLION Mexican free-tail bats emerge from underneath the Congress Avenue Bridge. We chose to walk down near the water for our viewing pleasure. As we got closer to the bridge, we could hear this strange chirping echoing from underneath. It's a sound from your nightmares. Slowly as night falls, one...two...three...then 1.5 million bats take flight at around 60+ miles per hour! They are tiny cute little things and so worth seeing!

 

Once Upon A Time There Lived A Food Truck

Austin is known for food trucks, food carts, and food trailers. This is where it all began. You simply cannot drive far without spotting one nestled in a parking lot or an abandoned lot. They are everywhere and offer the best cheap eats! And by cheap eats I mean $3 to $4! The cuisine can vary from taco's, to BBQ, to a vegan bakery, and even Japanese crepes. With over 1,400 trucks, the choices are really endless. 

I enjoyed the taco's so much that I wanted to eat them for breakfast, lunch, and dinner! Everytime I was asked what type of food I was hungry for, my answer was always TACO's! These little pieces of heaven were made with a corn tortilla, black beans, sweet potatoes, and siriracha, just to name a memorable one. Some trailers were on the fancy side and some were, well, an old Airstream. 

Photos courtesy of Yasuyoshi Sakamoto

 

Confession: I Love Beer

My Austin friends love beer and they know I do as well. Jester King Brewery was the perfect place to take me to. As we drove out of city limits and into Texas Hill Country, I couldn't help but notice the rolling hills and lush trees. Still in Texas? Yup! Pulling into the brewery, we drive down a dirt road and find a distant parking spot in the tall grass. The authentic farmhouse turned brewery is set up on a hill surrounded by people drinking delicious beer sitting on picnic tables, kids playing catch, and dogs lounging in the grass enjoying the day. This is Texas and I love it! You can grab a glass, walk around the huge property, explore the tasting room, and eat pizza.

photo courtesy of tasytouring.com

Gion Kyoto

One thing I really wanted to do was walk around Gion, which is the famous geisha district. Our taxi driver told us to arrive between 5:30pm and 6:30pm to catch a glimpse of a geiko (geisha) or a maiko (geiko apprentice). We strolled along the narrow streets lined with restaurants, shops, and ochaya (teahouse). We were alone down an alley when Yasu spotted one! I felt like we spotted a celebrity. He was able to take a few photos but unfortunately not of her face. It was still exhilarating. 

Kyoto Love part 2

The Bamboo Forest in Kyoto

 

Rub this stone and make a wish. It will come true within a year.

 

 Arashiyama is a district located just outside of Kyoto. This area is more rural and less touristy. This great rickshaw driver gave us a ride around. He plays American style football so this is part of his training. In the immense heat he never tired. When I asked what he ate to keep up with this rigorous job he replied "not much". He was so polite, funny, and happy! 

 Kinkaku-ji is a Japanese Zen Buddhist Temple that dates back to 1397. In 1950 the villa was burned down by a 22 year old monk who attempted suicide behind the building. When this was rebuilt, gold was used to purify any negative thoughts and feelings towards death.

I Love Kyoto Part 1

Kyoto is everything you would imagine old Japan to be like. It was truly beautiful and magical. This was the only major city that was spared from the bombs of World War II. 

We took the Shinkansen bullet train, which took about 2.5 hours. This train travels around 198 miles per hour. I really couldn't tell because it was such a smooth and quiet ride.

Sanjusangendo Hall

by Zdzichooo 

Sanjusangendo is one of the most amazing temple's I've ever seen. The photos do not do it justice. As we entered the 120 meter long hall, 1,001 wooden statues stand the entire length. In front of these statues are 28 guardian deities, which are National Treasures. You will be in complete awe of this sight.

Resting from the heat

Kiyomizu Temple

Founded in 798, this temple's main hall was constructed over a cliff. Walking up the narrow road you will notice many little shops and food stores. The view from the hall is breathtaking.  There was a time during the Edo period that if you jumped off the the stage and survived the 13m jump, your wish would be granted. This is now unfortunately prohibited.

 

 

You could say it was a little warm hence the sweat rolling down.

Tokyo Day 2

Tokyo Day 2

Today Yasu spent the day with his grandparents so his mother and other grandmother gave me a tour of the city. They rented a tour taxi with an english speaking driver. The driver use to be a journalist for sports and politics who has traveled around the world. I asked which country was his favorite and he said Afghanistan before the war because of its beauty. His photographer and him were arrested there because they took some photographs they weren't suppose to. His knowledge of Japanese history helped me understand and appreciate so much of what I was seeing.

 Meiji Jungu Shrine

This Shinto shrine opened in 1920. On New Year's Eve more than 2 million people come here to usher in the new year.  The entry gate of the shrine is built of cypress more than 1,700 years old. 

We were able to witness a wedding ceremony taking place here. Mind you the weather was unbearably hot and humid. 

 

Sky Tree

The Sky Tree is a broadcasting and observation tower that is earthquake resistant. In 2010 it became the 2nd tallest structure in the world. If you wondering about that gold blob, that is the Asahi Beer Hall. The locals call it the golden turd when it's actually suppose to represent the burning heart of Asahi Beer.

The real Full House house

I recently moved to Broderick St in San Francisco. Almost weekly I would see people outside this house at 1709 Broderick St taking photos. I always wondered who lived there. Was it a celebrity? Why is this house famous? Tonight  I noticed a huge family snapping shots at the doorsteps and finally looked it up. Low and behold it's the real Full House house. Wait, didn't they live in one of the Painted Ladies across from Alamo Square Park? No, they just frolicked in this beautiful park that gives one of the best views of the city. As you look on to the Painted Ladies, the city skyline shines in the background. So if you visit San Francisco and want to see where DJ, Uncle Jesse, and the rest lived, go to 1709 Broderick St between Pine St and Bush St. There's a little San Francisco history for ya!

Napa

When the rest of the country is sweltering, San Francisco is not.

Luckily all we have to do is cross a bridge, any bridge, to experience summer. This past Saturday I crossed the Golden Gate Bridge to Napa for lunch and a tour of Silver Oak Winery. Napa is located about 49 miles north of San Francisco.

First stop was Brix for lunch. http://www.brix.com 

They provided us with a private room with a garden view. The weather was warm, sunny, and breezy. Endless glasses of wine and a delicious vegetarian lunch made this my favorite part of the day.

It's not everyday us city folks get to wear dresses and sandals.  I had to dig out my nail polish to paint my toes!

Silver Oaks Winery has been producing only Cabernet Sauvignon for 40 years. Everywhere you look the view is amazing.  http://www.silveroak.com/

Cabernet Sauvignon

After a belly full of wine and stained teeth, it was time to head back for a nap. As we reached the bridge we could see the heavy fog covering the city. It was time to put on our jackets!