The Airbnb Was...InterestingWe grab Zach from the airport and make the (too-long) drive down to Austin. We arrive and Matt greets us at the door. "It's not as bad as it looks from the outside," he assures us as we eye the ramshackle house. He's wrong. It is.
The house becomes a huge joke, starring the cobwebs all over the ceiling, ugly carpet and chest-high shower heads. |
Day 1
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Hey, You're a Crazy BitchWe make our way back to Moonshine. I order the cornflake fried chicken salad (probably the best fried chicken I've ever had) and a peach moonshine sangria (not a fan, but I'm buzzing hard so maybe it's for the best). Mike gets the tender belly pork sandwich (pork three ways, mustard, pickle, beer cheese, pretzel bun) that's juicy and yum. We debate taking the leftovers to go. Decide it's a yes.
After a quick Starbucks stop, we somehow discover there's a pool on the top of the Westin Inn. Gina asks the valet how to get up there. "Just ask for a key," the guy says with a shrug. Oh. Well then. |
We get up top and the place is packed. We find seats. Zach is making friends with everyone. He meets Dan or Dave or something. Dave is ripped. Dave has a British girlfriend, also ripped. Girlfriend comes over. She's loud. Her muscles are also loud. She takes Kailee's beer out of her hand, swigs, then places it back in her hand. She yells things like "Fuck you!" and "Where's my server!?" even though you're supposed to order at the bar.
Somehow, muscle-girl does produce a server and buys everyone a bucket of beer. The beer comes. Muscle-girl doesn't take a beer, instead takes my drink (warm by now, ice melted, whatever crazy, you can have it). She's yelling again now. Why is she yelling? Muscle-girl goes on to tell us that she hates American girls and our accents. Whenever she hears an American girl talk, she wants to rip the bottle top off her beer and use it to slit our eyelids. And actually, she hates all girls and doesn't get along with them.
"Yes," I say dryly. "We can tell."
Somehow, muscle-girl does produce a server and buys everyone a bucket of beer. The beer comes. Muscle-girl doesn't take a beer, instead takes my drink (warm by now, ice melted, whatever crazy, you can have it). She's yelling again now. Why is she yelling? Muscle-girl goes on to tell us that she hates American girls and our accents. Whenever she hears an American girl talk, she wants to rip the bottle top off her beer and use it to slit our eyelids. And actually, she hates all girls and doesn't get along with them.
"Yes," I say dryly. "We can tell."
Dinner & a Hogwarts Drink TrollyWe have reservations at Lamberts, so we head back to the Airbnb for a nap, then on to dinner. As expected, Mike and I aren't hungry. I've already eaten more this morning then I do in days. Still, we order plenty. First, crispy wild board ribs (gah, so good, served with blue cheese dressing). Mike goes for the whole black angus short rib and I end up with "two ouces" of pulled pork that's probably quadruple that size plus another four ounces of sauce. Just how I like it. We also order the mac and cheese (tasty), mashed potatoes (super cheesy) and the brown butter Brussels sprouts with bacon that's the best thing we had all weekend, and everyone agrees.
We're all pretty sleepy by this point, but we do still have a reservation at Midnight Cowboy, and it takes some doing to get into this place. "One drink," we all agree (except Zach who is ready to party for days). The place is hidden in plain sight, a single, unassuming door with a dim red light to mark the entrance. No sign. No windows. And the door is locked. We knock. Nothing. We wait. Nothing. Eventually, someone exists and we squeeze inside. This place is cool. We're taken to a private back room that reminds me of a train car and order our drinks. We're buzzed and giggly, and the server is having none of it. He's possibly the saddest man ever. I order the Lawn Tennis Cooler (brandy, lemon, ginger beer, whipped egg white). Mike gets something mescal. The server comes over with the cutest little trolly and makes several drinks right in front of us. |
A Strange Ear Lick
On our way home, a strange man comes up behind me and pretends to lick my ear. Zach snaps at him. He's pissed, and oddly the creepy guy is pissed, too. For a moment, I worry a fight will break out between these two. Yeah, it's fucking weird, but please don't fight. Creeper leaves. Zach stays pissed.
Day 2
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SharknadoThe movie Sharknado comes up in a conversation. Apparently, it's ridiculous. Should we watch it? Let's watch it. What follows is 90 minutes of the most laughable directing I've ever seen. This movie is a joke. Nothing makes sense. We find it hilarious.
We end the night with dinner at Chi'lantro BBQ, a Korean-Mexican fusion that's (apparently) home of the original kimchi fries. They're out of the chicken. Then they're out of the steak. So what do you have? I eventually order a pork salad with carrot ginger dressing and Mike gets the wings (all unexpectedly good). We've got an early drive in the morning, so that's a night! |
Our Favorite Memories
Mike: "Tinny Pinny," he says. (That's me). "Tell me actually," I insist. "Tinny Pinny," he says, and dances around. "Okay, but what was your favorite part of the trip? There are several more "Tinny Pinnies" before he finally adds, "Barton Springs slash Creek."
For me, food-wise it was those Brussel's sprouts (so good!) or the Thai ice cream. Activity-wise, Barton Springs. I loved enjoying the outdoors for that.
For me, food-wise it was those Brussel's sprouts (so good!) or the Thai ice cream. Activity-wise, Barton Springs. I loved enjoying the outdoors for that.