Sunday, 7 April 2019
San Antonio, Texas, USA
Quite a storm last night. Woken by the loud thunder, wind and rain lashing on the window. Still dreadful as I open the curtains so confined to hotel for the morning. Begins to clear by noon and wander out for lunch and order nachos and a Coke. Another bowl of nachos and dip come as a complimentary snack in advance of the main dish of nachos.
No wonder Americans are so obese.
San Antonio is famous for The Alamo.
I’d heard of it before but didn’t understand its significance. The only American history we did at school was 1918 to 1945. Really do need to understand more about the American Civil War and pre-World War 1.
Originally a Spanish missionary settlement, trying to convert the indigenous people into Catholicism (what else), the settlement was later abandoned in the late 18th century. Subsequently taken over by the Spanish Flying Company (not aircraft, more the Sweeney…Flying Squad) who were originally from a town in what is now Mexico, called San Jose y Santiago del Alamo, who converted it to a garrison and fort.
Which is how it became known as ‘The Alamo’.
During the Texian Revolution (not a typo!), a Mexican general surrendered the fort to the Texian Army in December 1835, who then had their own garrison located in the Alamo.
However, a few months later, in March 1836, those pesky Mexicans, under the command of General Santa Anna, attacked the fort killing about 200 Texian soldiers, including the famous Davy Crockett, William Travis and James Bowie (David’s great-great-great grandfather…I’m joking).
But.
A few weeks later, in April 1836, the Texian Army, swelled in its ranks by more volunteers who had taken great exception to a load of Mexicans killing their brethren, retaliated against the Mexicans and General Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto. During the brief battle, it only lasted 18 minutes apparently, the Texians battle cry was, “Remember the Alamo!” as they killed a load of Mexicans. General Santa Anna escaped but was captured the following day and eventually signed the peace treaty which meant the Mexican Army left the region and thus led to the founding of the Republic of Texas.
You do learn stuff on this blog, don’t you!
The only two buildings remaining are the long store and the Spanish church, notable for the fact that the Spanish never completed it and was roofless for quite some time.
The Cathedral the other side of town has the ashes of Crocket, Travis and Bowie interred in a stone casket. So they say. No one seems sure. But it’s good for tourism.
Pizza for dinner. It’s OK but not the best pizza I’ve ever had and leave some of it as so full. Waiter asks if everything was OK. Nonchalantly say yeah it was OK but a bit undercooked. He’s sorry to hear that and will pass the feedback on to the chef.
Few minutes later, he brings the bill and tells me he’s deducted the pizza from the bill as it was undercooked. All I have to pay for is the beer I had.
What?!
Really?!
I’ve eaten most of it and only left a bit as too full.
Can you imagine that happening in Pizza Express?
Er no.
Best you’d get is, “Oh right” from a disenfranchised employee.
Loving this American service.
