Segue (or is it Segway?) into San Antonio History

Another quiet breakfast Thursday morning on the river walk...this time we caught the birds in the act of grabbing the "Sweet and Low" packets. Actually, it was the Urraca that stole it, and left it for the sparrows. Our server says the birds are getting crazier and crazier as they consume more artificial sugar (and sometimes the real thing). One of the younger sparrows could barely walk, and looked a bit tipsy!

Mario has been urging us to do something "fun" while we are here in SA. ("What?" I thought, "You mean visiting all the historic museums in town at breakneck speed isn't fun?") Dan and I asked him what he meant by "fun", and of course, it was all the things we can do at home: water parks, paint-balling, bicycle riding, etc. I have two rule for our family vacations: we can't eat in a restaurant we have back home, or involve ourselves in an activity we could do at home. So, for obvious reasons, those did not apply. But, being the good mother I am, I brainstormed a bit. Hey, how about a Segway tour? Yes, we have them in Chicago, but we will visit new sites.

And that's just what we did!

Segway Nation did a fantastic job with our 1 1/2 hour tour. Not only did we visit most of the places we have not had the chance to see, but we saw more than usual, because it was just the three of us. Doug gave us a quick lesson in Segway maneuvers, and with a few minutes of practice, we were off! Mario had a bit more trouble at first, being too quick in his movements, but soon, as usual, he was way ahead of Olivia and me. This machine creates quite a paradigm shift as you control it with only a slight movement with your toes and heels. There is a gyroscope inside, so you never want to leave one foot on the platform, with your other on the pavement. The Segway will spin in a circle, and carry you along with it. And don't be fooled by our photos...we are in constant motion while having our pictures taken. A slight movement, but a movement nonetheless. We are never standing still, even when we are standing!

During the tour, we visited the Alamo (formerly "Misión San Antonio de Valero) and Hemisfair Park, which has a few standing structures, including the Tower of the Americas, left from the World's Fair in 1968. The park also has a branch of the Mexican university, and the Institute of Texan Cultures on the premises.

Then we headed to Main Plaza, which in Mexican terms, was the center of town where two perpendicular main streets intersected. Off of this plaza was a red brick Court House, and the San Fernando Cathedral, the oldest Roman cathedral sanctuary in the US, where David Bowie, a hero of the Alamo was married. It also houses a marble coffin with the bones of 180 patriots who were killed in the siege.

When the massacre was over that early March morning, Santa Anna came into the compound to survey the carnage. He ordered his army to collect the bodies of the dead Mexican soldiers, and give them a Christian burial. Not so with the Alamo dead. Santa Anna made it clear to President Jackson he would not be following the protocol for war victims. His soldiers were commanded to gather the bodies and burn them. A year later, one of the couriers for Colonel Travis's plea letters, collected the bones, and brought them to San Fernando, where they received a proper burial in this sarcophagus.

Around the corner to the 1700's Spanish Governor's Palace, given recognition by National Geographic for it's beautiful artifacts and decor. We must return tomorrow to view it, and, believe it or not, Mario was okay with that! Nearby, was author O. Henry's home in San Antonio. Although he had a colorful life, Porter (his real name), finally reformed when he settled down here. That is why it was repositioned near the courthouse, as a lesson...reformation is possible. Henry, while in prison, wrote many of his surprise ending stories, and memorized every word in the dictionary. Now that is using one's time wisely! Because of the prison reform connection, the tiny museum's docents are probationers who receive credit for their work.

Next was Market Square, with it's brightly colored Mexicana goods, open air market,Tex-Mex restaurant, and an authentic Mexican bakery open 24 hours a day! We will return tonight for dinner (and dessert??). Evidently this is the place for festivals, folk dances and mariachi music...

Whew...what a trip! Our toes and feet are tired, but thankfully, we arrived safely.

Have you ever taken a Segway tour? If so, in which city?

Remember the Alamo!

What a monument to the brave men who would not back down, run away, or surrender for the sake of freedom! Here's an account of our day at the Alamo...

We rose bright and early Tuesday, so we could be one of the first in line at the Alamo. Thankfully, most of the Memorial Day crowd was gone. It took us about 10 minutes to walk from the hotel to the tourist site...so strange to see it standing in the middle of a busy downtown area!

We viewed the sound and light diorama first, which gave us a mental image of the complex in the 1800's, and the order of events at the time of the 13 day siege.

Our first stop on the tour was the Mission Church. Its facade is the remaining symbol of the Alamo (which, by the way, means "cottonwood"). It was originally a home for Catholic missionaries and their converts, then, in the 1800's, a cavalry post for Spanish, then Rebel, and finally Mexican forces after their independence. Here the defenders would have kept the powder magazine and positioned the artillery. The inner room of the structure was also where the women and children where hiding, and the last area attacked by Santa Anna's army. A list of the 180 fallen patriots were memorialized on plaques inside. I was surprised to discover they had immigrated from other states, the British Isles and Germany.

Why did they fight against all odds, and what were the events leading up to that fateful day? Here it is in a nutshell:

Mexico, now free from Spain, writes a constitution for their new Republic. Santa Anna promises to honor the constitution and is sworn in as President. To develop the Northern territory of Mexico, Santa Anna invites homesteaders to Texas from the US, British Isles and Europe. The immigrants settle down, and, later, desire to free Texas from the Mexicans. Santa Anna, fearing revolt from the huge number of settlers, revokes their constitution, and installs himself as dictator.

San Antonio city was one half mile from the Alamo, and prime property, so it was desirable to both the Mexican government and the Texians, and thus, worth fighting for. The Revolutionists comprised militia from the surrounding areas, Colonel Wm. Travis, James Bowie (renowned knife fighter), and David Crockett, frontiersman and former Tennessee congressman. The group gather their defenses, and prepare to fight for freedom and the Republic. Travis writes to General Sam Houston and his army, miles away, to ask for reinforcements. He cannot come immediately, and does not understand the gravity of the situation. After four pleas are sent throughout the community, on the 8th day of the siege, 32 men answer the call from Gonzales...but they are still outnumbered: 180 to 3,000.

Before dawn, on the 13th day of March in 1836, Santa Anna's army, after awaking the sleeping patriots with cannon and gun fire, begin to scale the walls of the Alamo. Miraculously, the defenders beat back several attacks. Finally, the Mexican army rushes over the walls and into the compound. They turn the Alamo's cannon against them and blast open the barricaded doors of the church...the last defense. The defenders struggle to the death, but are overwhelmed, and by sunrise all are massacred. The only remaining survivors are Travis's black slave and the women and children hiding in the church, but about 1,100 Mexican soldiers lose their lives....

Was this a useless loss of lives? It would seem so, but God worked it out for their good!

When the news of the defeat reached the town and beyond, Sam Houston's army was incensed. Preparing for battle in three weeks, and with the cry, "Remember the Alamo!" they imprisoned Santa Anna and destroyed his army. Texas became a Republic...freedom was won! I can see why Texans are proud of their State, and why they treasure and protect the freedoms they hold so dear.

Another kind of hero is celebrated at the US Army Medical Department Museum, in the Fort Sam Houston Compound. Their motto is, "Service Above Self". The collection includes medical equipment, photos, uniforms, insignias and vehicles from 1777 to the present. Did you know there is a Veterinary division, too? They take care of horses, dogs, and all other creatures that aid in the wars (think: "War Horse"). All medical personnel put their lives on the line for those they serve...this, too, was impressive, but in an entirely different way. They deserve our respect...

What do you hold dear that is worth dying for?