Thirteen fateful days in 1836

There isn't much of the Alamo still standing. The front part of the building is The Shrine, dedicated to the memory of those who fell in defense of the Alamo. One of Davy Crockett's muskets, and a vest that we wore are on display. It's pretty quiet in The Shrine, as Texans take this historical site seriously. The Alamo was originally a home to missionaries and their Indian converts. The Spanish came in and secularized the five missions located in San Antonio.


In the early 1800s, the Spanish military stationed a cavalry unit at the former mission. The soldiers referred to the old mission as the Alamo (the Spanish word for "cottonwood") in honor of their hometown. The Long Barrack, the other original remaining structure, housed the first hospital in Texas. There is a long story about how Commander Willam B. Travis, helped by the likes of Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie, fought to fend off General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna's army for 13 days. Finally, on March 6, 1836, the Alamo was taken by the Mexicans. People continue to remember the Alamo as a heroic struggle against overwhelming odds--a place where men made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom.

Now, I all but choked to death on my own spit as I was walking out of the Alamo today. This odd little occurrence seems to happen to me when there is absolutely nothing on hand to drink. Fortunately, today I was saved by these cute Baptist kids who were handing out small bottles of water as a service to sun parched tourists. There is a BIG Baptist convention here, and I guess this is their way of keeping their young ones busy. I had tears in my eyes from choking to death, and I think the little guy who gave me the water thought I had been moved by the story of the Alamo.

The River Walk comes alive at dinner time. There are jazz groups, and rows of bars, steakhouses, Mexican food cafes, and even Italian eateries. The narrow cobblestone sidewalks of the River Walk prompt everyone to be close together as they move along the winding path. The Spurs are playing in NBA final game 3 tonght, so that adds to the festivities. Go Spurs Go! (That's what you say here to be polite.)