Austlandia

Keep Austin weird. It's actually the best motto a city could have. It truly helps people like me and Julee fit in...as well as people like Vince Hanneman a.k.a. The Junk King. He has this amazing talent for turning discarded junk into an interactive sculpture. After all, one mans trash is another mans treasure. Walking through the space he created was like taking a trip down memory lane. What a trip it was. So many of the pieces were toys, souvenirs, appliances and objects from days past. As if gifts I had previously received, cook wear my grandmother used in her kitchen, CDs I hadn't listened to in ages, fads, and mass produced collectibles had risen from the dead and piled themselves into one soaring mountain. I swear even the fragrance of my playroom and childhood home were somehow incorporated into this shrine of my past. As I explored the nooks and crannies I started belting the Little Mermaids song "A Part of Your World" 

Look at this stuff
Isn't it neat?
Wouldn't you think my collection's complete?
Wouldn't you think I'm the girl
The girl who has ev'rything?
Look at this trove
Treasures untold
How many wonders can one cavern hold?
Lookin' around here you'd think
(Sure) she's got everything

I've got gadgets and gizmos aplenty
I've got whozits and whatzits galore
(You want thingamabobs?
I got twenty)
But who cares?
No big deal 

I want more...... 

I could have hung around this chaotic collection for hours, but we had other weird Austlandian attractions to cross off our list and some quality time to spend with Gully.  Most of our trip was comprised of eating, shopping, yoga, music, sneaking into hotel pools, eating, shopping, dancing in the streets, eating, yoga, eating, making friends, eating, driving like assholes blasting hardcore, eating, riding eliptigos, eating, skull massages, eating wearing animal masks, eating, pedicab rides, and more eating. I am pretty sure we had a milkshake with every meal, as well as ended each meal with an additional dessert. My pants didn't fit by the time I left. Every bite of those 3 chocolate bourbon pies, brownie sundae's, bacon milkshake, pounds of brisket, sausages, tex-mex, lavender mocha lattes.....damn I ate a lot.... were all so worth it. 

So the REAL reason we were in Austin, aside to be reunited with my best friend and cause hell with her, was so she could run the Austin half marathon. She shaved 32 minutes off her PR. She is fucking amazing, I am so proud of her. Juleeeeee you are the best fucking friend in the whole fucking world and I fucking love you. 

Till next time Austin... 

P.S.  If you are heading to Austin for SXSW or any of the other awesome festivals they have here is a list of places you have to eat at

Food&Drink:

Bangers 

Bouldin Creek, caffine dealer 

Rubys BBQ 

Trudy's Tex-Mex 

Kerbey Lane

Magnolias

Diner 24

Picnik

Hopdoddy

Snap

Craft Pride

Amy's Ice Cream

Whole Foods- it is the first one ever built! 

(I was there for 4 only days and managed to eat at all these places, some several times. Go big or go home)

Russia- Part 6 Svirstroy

Day 8: We sailed through the night from Kizhi on to our next destination, Svirstroy. We wouldn't be touching land again until later in the afternoon.  We spent our down time doing what Russians do best, vodka tasting. Nostrovia!! 

Our vodka sampling was paired with caviar and traditional blinis. These round and golden pancakes are a symbol of the sun. Originally made on the last day of winter in celebration of the coming spring and summer seasons. Tradition has it that if a woman prepares many tasty blinis the spring and summer  harvest would be plenty and rich, full of health and success. They have since come to be a staple in the Russian diet.  

We all drank rather responsibly so we wouldn't be stumbling around the village of Svirstroy. After all, this area has a population of 1,000, no one wants to be the village idiot.  Once on land we poked into the cute little souvenir shops which are well known for their furs, and amber. I had been on the hunt the entire trip, and finally found the perfect piece of amber. It was a lovely amber ring for a great price. Not only are they well known for fur and amber, their economy is built on the local hydroelectric station. 

A very unique experience awaited us in this humble town of Svirstroy. We were being hosted by a local Russian family for tea, pastries, and perogies in their home. 

 Olga, our host, was just about as gracious as it gets. Not only did she prepare delicious treats for 18 guests, she also told us stories of the community, school and medical systems, occupations of the locals,  history of the town, and personal family stories of everyday life lived in Svirstroy. Her warm hospitality and stories shared were so wonderful in gaining new insight on the Russian culture.

From Olga's home, we went on to eat more food! This time our menu consisted of grilled shashlyk, Russia's very popular version of shish kebab. A tasty BBQ on a hot day with a cold beer, yes please!

 A day abundant in food, drinks, and good times, helps keep the belly full, laughter loud, and heart happy. 

NOSTROVIA!!