Two Flamers in Texas: Thin and husband go to Austin
Apr 21st, 2008, 10:07 AM
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Two Flamers in Texas: Thin and husband go to Austin
My husband, Keith, wants to go to Austin, Texas on holiday this summer. I think he is daft, but that is his desire.
What will I, The Great and Powerful Thingorjus, do in Austin?
What hotel should we stay at?
Any great shopping?
Any French restaurants?
Isn't there a river in Austin? Can I float on a barge like Cleopatra?
Please, some of you Marys have to help a queen in distress.
HELP ME!
Thingorjus
What will I, The Great and Powerful Thingorjus, do in Austin?
What hotel should we stay at?
Any great shopping?
Any French restaurants?
Isn't there a river in Austin? Can I float on a barge like Cleopatra?
Please, some of you Marys have to help a queen in distress.
HELP ME!
Thingorjus
Apr 21st, 2008, 10:12 AM
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"Last night, Cleopatra barged down the Nile and sank."
I am certain YOU recognize this very famous and suitably short show review...however I cannot imagine you making the same mistake, even in Austin.
Have a great trip..can be a fun town.
I am certain YOU recognize this very famous and suitably short show review...however I cannot imagine you making the same mistake, even in Austin.
Have a great trip..can be a fun town.
Apr 21st, 2008, 10:38 AM
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Oh, happy day!
I see you staying at the Four Seasons...
http://www.fourseasons.com/austin/
or Lake Austin Spa...
http://www.lakeaustin.com/
And that's all this Mary is good for, however, I'm sure the Austin Fodorites will help you further.
I see you staying at the Four Seasons...
http://www.fourseasons.com/austin/
or Lake Austin Spa...
http://www.lakeaustin.com/
And that's all this Mary is good for, however, I'm sure the Austin Fodorites will help you further.
Apr 21st, 2008, 11:54 AM
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Ditto 4 Seasons
< any French restaurants >
Not since the French delegation packed up and left town when the Republic joined the USofA in 1845, but a lot of people like Aquarelle.
< isn't there a river in Austin >
Yes the Colorado (but not the one in AZ; this one's all in TX so don't get confused). They built a dam decades ago to form Town Lake, which is now Lady Bird Lake.
Hummm..... Lady Bird and Cleopatra. Interesting possibilities, but no you can't barge on it because Antony was banned years ago due to that incident with Cleopatra.
< any French restaurants >
Not since the French delegation packed up and left town when the Republic joined the USofA in 1845, but a lot of people like Aquarelle.
< isn't there a river in Austin >
Yes the Colorado (but not the one in AZ; this one's all in TX so don't get confused). They built a dam decades ago to form Town Lake, which is now Lady Bird Lake.
Hummm..... Lady Bird and Cleopatra. Interesting possibilities, but no you can't barge on it because Antony was banned years ago due to that incident with Cleopatra.
Apr 21st, 2008, 12:33 PM
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That has to be the most interesting post EVER! How could I NOT open that up and reply!!! Why does Keith want to go in the summer, it is dreadfully hot then? I did like Austin, however.. nice vibe. We stayed in the Hyatt, but that was many moons ago. I have to read taht trip report 
.
.
Apr 21st, 2008, 06:41 PM
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Keith's uncle is a dentist in Austin. We will be visiting his family.
Thanks for the replies. I will do some research.
PS
If I want to end a sentence with a preposition, I will do as I please with.
Thin
Thanks for the replies. I will do some research.
PS
If I want to end a sentence with a preposition, I will do as I please with.
Thin
Apr 22nd, 2008, 04:47 AM
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I suppose you will spend one night watching the bats...the Four Seasons is a good viewing point.
The Four Seasons is nice, but it's not one of their best properties. And caution: if they set up the outside for tea or afternoon snacks, avoid the cakes with nuts or berries on them! Mom and I watched them set up a variety of cakes on a serving table outside for an afternoon tea...every time the staff turned their backs, a bird would swoop down, land right on the cake and pull off a nut or berry. Hmmm...amusing to watch, but we decided not to order a slice from the "bird-approved" cakes.
Depending on when you go, you might like the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center. We went after the peak spring blooming season, but it was still very interesting and relaxing.
http://www.wildflower.org/
The Wildflower Center was the only thing about Austin we really liked and would go back for. I did not get to explore any bars or galleries...Mom wasn't interested in that. Re shopping, I did find some nice stuff for myself at the Saks outlet near Austin (the outlet center also has Ferragamo, Zegna and Yves Delorme stores).
http://mallseeker.com/san-marcos-prime-outlets.aspx
Oh, and P.S., prepare yourself for the possibility of some WILD thunderstorms. Mom and I got back to our hotel room just before a huge storm--one of the biggest we'd ever seen--broke right overhead.
The Four Seasons is nice, but it's not one of their best properties. And caution: if they set up the outside for tea or afternoon snacks, avoid the cakes with nuts or berries on them! Mom and I watched them set up a variety of cakes on a serving table outside for an afternoon tea...every time the staff turned their backs, a bird would swoop down, land right on the cake and pull off a nut or berry. Hmmm...amusing to watch, but we decided not to order a slice from the "bird-approved" cakes.
Depending on when you go, you might like the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center. We went after the peak spring blooming season, but it was still very interesting and relaxing.
http://www.wildflower.org/
The Wildflower Center was the only thing about Austin we really liked and would go back for. I did not get to explore any bars or galleries...Mom wasn't interested in that. Re shopping, I did find some nice stuff for myself at the Saks outlet near Austin (the outlet center also has Ferragamo, Zegna and Yves Delorme stores).
http://mallseeker.com/san-marcos-prime-outlets.aspx
Oh, and P.S., prepare yourself for the possibility of some WILD thunderstorms. Mom and I got back to our hotel room just before a huge storm--one of the biggest we'd ever seen--broke right overhead.
Apr 22nd, 2008, 06:28 AM
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Thin, I used to live in Austin and you can live the high life there if you want...
The Four Seasons is okay but for the hot summer I'd recommend the Lake Austin resort. Hotel San Jose is really interesting too but no pool.
Aquarelle as another posted recommended is delicious. I also like Jeffrey's.
You can shop at the new luxe Dominion development north of town, or on South Congress/downtown if eclectic chic is more your style. You have to go to By George. http://bygeorgeaustin.com/
You can do some research on www.austin360.com or austin.cityscape.com
And when can we look forward to your Berlin trip report?? I'm dying to go!
The Four Seasons is okay but for the hot summer I'd recommend the Lake Austin resort. Hotel San Jose is really interesting too but no pool.
Aquarelle as another posted recommended is delicious. I also like Jeffrey's.
You can shop at the new luxe Dominion development north of town, or on South Congress/downtown if eclectic chic is more your style. You have to go to By George. http://bygeorgeaustin.com/
You can do some research on www.austin360.com or austin.cityscape.com
And when can we look forward to your Berlin trip report?? I'm dying to go!
Apr 22nd, 2008, 07:17 AM
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Thin, I hate to tell you but they are really conservative in Austin, they do love their "boys", but you'll have to fit their mold. Leave your flambouyant drag at home, take a nice Channel suit, a classy but conservative shoulder bag and nice shoes, and get yourself some Texas "big hair". The look is "classy, but conservative". You'll do just fine!
Apr 22nd, 2008, 09:14 AM
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Well, my dear, I am living proof that one with Keystone roots can thrive in the land of the longhorn.
Sounds like the family connection trumps the likely to be miserable weather which you have been warned about (about which you have been warned?) It IS the heat, it IS the humidity, it IS both. For wardrobe think linen. Or, if you prefer, think nothing as is the norm at Hippie Hollow www.hippiehollow.com
Austin is in but not really of Texas, and takes great delight in celebrating its inherent weirdness. There is a strong reverse snobbery vibe among natives, though the arriviste (largely emigres from technology centers) seem to favor the McMansion lifestyle.
As to hotels, the chains are pretty much what they are everywhere else. The Driskill has some lovely public spaces but the word is that it is in need of a severe refreshing. We usually do not stay in hotels in Austin, but one that has been receommended by friends is the Mansion at Judge's Hill. www.mansionatjudgeshill.com Where in town does Keith's uncle live?
You MUST let us know when you schedule this visit. Perhaps we can arrange one of our legendary GTG's at that time. Given the date and likely clime we would, of course, dispense with the ermine.
Sounds like the family connection trumps the likely to be miserable weather which you have been warned about (about which you have been warned?) It IS the heat, it IS the humidity, it IS both. For wardrobe think linen. Or, if you prefer, think nothing as is the norm at Hippie Hollow www.hippiehollow.com
Austin is in but not really of Texas, and takes great delight in celebrating its inherent weirdness. There is a strong reverse snobbery vibe among natives, though the arriviste (largely emigres from technology centers) seem to favor the McMansion lifestyle.
As to hotels, the chains are pretty much what they are everywhere else. The Driskill has some lovely public spaces but the word is that it is in need of a severe refreshing. We usually do not stay in hotels in Austin, but one that has been receommended by friends is the Mansion at Judge's Hill. www.mansionatjudgeshill.com Where in town does Keith's uncle live?
You MUST let us know when you schedule this visit. Perhaps we can arrange one of our legendary GTG's at that time. Given the date and likely clime we would, of course, dispense with the ermine.
