Day 1 (of 7) in San Antonio: Arriving at SA (San Antonio)
Hey everyone. I actually have a small internet connection here, but not enough time to write a lot, check email, read journals, and everything else I want to do on the net. So far I am having a great time. I am tired and my brian is almost full, but I am doing well.
I want to start this with a short note. For the next 7 or so entries, they will be a detailed account of my adventures in Texas. You may click on all the following links, but anything vital will be mentioned outside it (which wont be much cause most of it is just fun and games).
Arriving in San Antonio: I arrived around 3 PM, a half an hour early, collected my bags to start ti figure out how to get to my destination for the evening. I decided I wanted to celebrate Shabbat in Texas, so I called the local Orthodox synagogue to ask for Shabbat housing. They were located about a 15 min drive away, and since I had so much time I seeked alternate (from a taxi) transportation. In this search, I came across a volunteer at the informational desk named Ambassador Sue. She instructed me that I could take a somewhat public transport service (SANTRAN), which would still be pricey but cheaper than a cab. But she felt guilty. After talking with me she wanted to drive me herself. She lived right around the corner from where I am staying. "Am I becoming a Rabbi" She asked. "No" I answered. I explained for the first time of many on why I am in SA (San Antonio). She offered to drive me to that location, but also expressed she could get in trouble. I declined and signed up for SANTRAN.
SANTRAN: It was pouring rain when I went outside to order my bus. Luckily the booth was under cover. I had to wait for 30 - 40 min for my bus. Figured it was worth it cause I had plenty of time and it was pouring rain. I called several people until my bus finally arrived. The driver had no clue where we were going. Luckily, Ambassador Sue gave me instructions on how to go. Traffic in SA was horrible. In what mapquest said would be 15 min really took 50 min. Rush hour here is rougher than NYC. So in this drive, I asked the driver on what places I should check out in th week. After a long conversation, he told me that this one club he would always pick up all sorts of tourists. Mostly women he drives around in his SANTRAN or bus (when he goes to other cities). They would invite him out, invite him to the hotel, and of course he would accept. Later he told me he has a beautiful wife at home. ummmmm so ya I guess he basically cheats on his wife. But he says he always instructs the girls he "has fun with" that he is married before he "has fun with them" I don't think that makes it any better....but oh well.
Rabbi's Wife Judy: I finally get to the Rabbi's house, which is two doors down from where I am staying. I went there first to collect the key. She invited me into their home and gave me the key. Asked if I was hungry. I was a little bit hungry. So she gave me food. "Want an apple"..."ok" she gave me three apples. I said that was enough. She gave me a banana. Ok thank you. She gave me gram crackers and my own jar of PB. (Josh I did finally get gram crackers and PB). Ok thats enough. She gave me three slices of cheese, two apple juice boxes, two bottles of water, and some pastries. Because at that point I had a grocery bag full of food, I think she finished giving me my afternoon snack. Judy then insisted on driving me to the place I was staying, cause it was raining. I get in the car, expecting it to be far, and she drives next door. I got more wet putting my bag in and out of the car than I would have if I walked. Then she had to show me where her synagogue was...Well the guest house was on the corner and the synagogue was right around that corner. So she then did a U turn, and dropped me off.
Friday night services: It was an enjoyable service. I met a lot of people. I was asked to lead Kabbalat and Marriv. I turned down the offer. I really need to learn how to lead Kabbalat Shabbat.
Friday night dinner: I was eating at the Goodfriends. I met Ira at services and we walked back to his place. I ate with him, his wife Brook, his son, his brother, and his mother. The food was very tasty. The wine was homemade. They said it wasn't as strong as it usually is, but it tasted strong enough. Everything they cooked was either organic or they grew themselves. I guess this family is big on the whole organic fad. One of the reasons they make their own wine. They use natural fermentations and not anything that is put in common wines. Everything else was great. They were shocked when we talked about peppers. Jalapenos are one dollar a pound here compared to 4 dollars a pound at home. Maybe I should pick up some before I head home. Maybe not. Throughout the course of the dinner, the son (only two years old) got really wild. All he wanted for dinner was wine and challah. Well shortly after he drove his giant plastic car in the dinning room, it was past his bed time. I continued to eat so much food. It was the second most amount of food I have ever seen for a Shabbat meal. And of course they forced me to try everything, even after I was stuffed. It was all good though...I finished everything on my plate and enjoyed every bite. Afterward, I learned the mother was a holocaust survivor, but she was already in bed. Ira, Brook, and I walked back together to where I was staying.
Midnight adventure: After Ira and Brook left, I decided to go on a walk. I came across a man, Peter, from the synagogue. We talked for some time. At some point the discussion came to frisbee. You play....GREAT. Peter's wife, Debra, also plays. So we set up to play Sat afternoon. After talking with them till I was really tired, I decided to go. It was bed time.
Afterwards I shortly returned to my room and went to bed.
Well, I got to get back to work. More to come.
I want to start this with a short note. For the next 7 or so entries, they will be a detailed account of my adventures in Texas. You may click on all the following links, but anything vital will be mentioned outside it (which wont be much cause most of it is just fun and games).
Arriving in San Antonio: I arrived around 3 PM, a half an hour early, collected my bags to start ti figure out how to get to my destination for the evening. I decided I wanted to celebrate Shabbat in Texas, so I called the local Orthodox synagogue to ask for Shabbat housing. They were located about a 15 min drive away, and since I had so much time I seeked alternate (from a taxi) transportation. In this search, I came across a volunteer at the informational desk named Ambassador Sue. She instructed me that I could take a somewhat public transport service (SANTRAN), which would still be pricey but cheaper than a cab. But she felt guilty. After talking with me she wanted to drive me herself. She lived right around the corner from where I am staying. "Am I becoming a Rabbi" She asked. "No" I answered. I explained for the first time of many on why I am in SA (San Antonio). She offered to drive me to that location, but also expressed she could get in trouble. I declined and signed up for SANTRAN.
SANTRAN: It was pouring rain when I went outside to order my bus. Luckily the booth was under cover. I had to wait for 30 - 40 min for my bus. Figured it was worth it cause I had plenty of time and it was pouring rain. I called several people until my bus finally arrived. The driver had no clue where we were going. Luckily, Ambassador Sue gave me instructions on how to go. Traffic in SA was horrible. In what mapquest said would be 15 min really took 50 min. Rush hour here is rougher than NYC. So in this drive, I asked the driver on what places I should check out in th week. After a long conversation, he told me that this one club he would always pick up all sorts of tourists. Mostly women he drives around in his SANTRAN or bus (when he goes to other cities). They would invite him out, invite him to the hotel, and of course he would accept. Later he told me he has a beautiful wife at home. ummmmm so ya I guess he basically cheats on his wife. But he says he always instructs the girls he "has fun with" that he is married before he "has fun with them" I don't think that makes it any better....but oh well.
Rabbi's Wife Judy: I finally get to the Rabbi's house, which is two doors down from where I am staying. I went there first to collect the key. She invited me into their home and gave me the key. Asked if I was hungry. I was a little bit hungry. So she gave me food. "Want an apple"..."ok" she gave me three apples. I said that was enough. She gave me a banana. Ok thank you. She gave me gram crackers and my own jar of PB. (Josh I did finally get gram crackers and PB). Ok thats enough. She gave me three slices of cheese, two apple juice boxes, two bottles of water, and some pastries. Because at that point I had a grocery bag full of food, I think she finished giving me my afternoon snack. Judy then insisted on driving me to the place I was staying, cause it was raining. I get in the car, expecting it to be far, and she drives next door. I got more wet putting my bag in and out of the car than I would have if I walked. Then she had to show me where her synagogue was...Well the guest house was on the corner and the synagogue was right around that corner. So she then did a U turn, and dropped me off.
Friday night services: It was an enjoyable service. I met a lot of people. I was asked to lead Kabbalat and Marriv. I turned down the offer. I really need to learn how to lead Kabbalat Shabbat.
Friday night dinner: I was eating at the Goodfriends. I met Ira at services and we walked back to his place. I ate with him, his wife Brook, his son, his brother, and his mother. The food was very tasty. The wine was homemade. They said it wasn't as strong as it usually is, but it tasted strong enough. Everything they cooked was either organic or they grew themselves. I guess this family is big on the whole organic fad. One of the reasons they make their own wine. They use natural fermentations and not anything that is put in common wines. Everything else was great. They were shocked when we talked about peppers. Jalapenos are one dollar a pound here compared to 4 dollars a pound at home. Maybe I should pick up some before I head home. Maybe not. Throughout the course of the dinner, the son (only two years old) got really wild. All he wanted for dinner was wine and challah. Well shortly after he drove his giant plastic car in the dinning room, it was past his bed time. I continued to eat so much food. It was the second most amount of food I have ever seen for a Shabbat meal. And of course they forced me to try everything, even after I was stuffed. It was all good though...I finished everything on my plate and enjoyed every bite. Afterward, I learned the mother was a holocaust survivor, but she was already in bed. Ira, Brook, and I walked back together to where I was staying.
Midnight adventure: After Ira and Brook left, I decided to go on a walk. I came across a man, Peter, from the synagogue. We talked for some time. At some point the discussion came to frisbee. You play....GREAT. Peter's wife, Debra, also plays. So we set up to play Sat afternoon. After talking with them till I was really tired, I decided to go. It was bed time.
Afterwards I shortly returned to my room and went to bed.
Well, I got to get back to work. More to come.