It started off as a joke. I accidentally stole the pen from Cafe No Sè after signing my receipt. After making fun of me for “allegeadly stealing the pen” I laughed it off and continued by using that pen to do all my homework. The  place is so beautiful that the pen reminds me of the world outside PCL. Being a local restaurant enthusiast I noticed that most of my favorite restaurants carried their own branded pens. I decided to permanently borrow them and started my favorite and most rebellious collection of all time.

The Journey of exploring the heart of Austin started with the stomach. This is why, in my attempt to choose my own adventure, I would like to share with you a small check list of places you should visit and the food you should consider ordering. The best pancakes in the world are at Annie’s Cafe on Congress ave. Their coffee is amazing as well and its locally roasted (always a plus). You can never go wrong with the Latté and Biscuit Egg sandwich at Cafè No Sè. Not only is it delicious, it has a wonderful soundtrack, a clean rustic contemporary decor, it’s on South Congress Avenue, and to top it off, leads to the amazing lobby of the South Congress Hotel. Clark’s oyster bar has the best Lobster Roll in the area and if you like splurging, their crab cakes are wonderful as well. The tamarind chicken wings at Sway, the grilled octopus at Perla’s, the shrimp sandwich at Epicerie, and the pizza at Italic are the reason why i’m a broke college student who needs to learn how to manage her money.

Brunch, like all wonderful things combined, is an art itself. Hotel Ella’s restaurant lives up to this reputation. Hotel Ella is my favorite historical brunch place. West Campus is extremely lucky to have Hotel Ella in the area. Unfortunately, most of the people I know haven’t visited and this is why I share it with you. Their food is very unique but what I love the most is the way they decorated such an old building. Hotel Ella has succeeded in balancing antique and modern decor. Their restaurant, bar, and lobby is tasteful and cozy. In 1878, the land it sits on was purchased by Thomas Dudley Wooten, the founder of the University of Texas. Wooten’s son, Goodall, moved into the property in 1900 with his wife, Ella, the muse of the hotel. Ever since Goodall Wooten owned the house, art was an important component of the building. Today, wonderful pieces of art continue to grace the walls of Hotel Ella. Also, if anyone ever asks you to recommend a hotel to stay, I can personally vouch for their amazing room and service. #KeepingThatPen

Cool things don’t only happen outside of campus. A “must do” as a true orange-bleeding longhorn is attending a tailgate and football game. Every Saturday, a group of friends and I organize a large tailgate for Latin students. Of course, all are welcomed, and we enjoy listening to our popular music, socializing with friends, and pumping up our longhorn spirit.

Austin’s constant energy and happy vibes is seen all around. One of the times I was able to experience it first hand was during South by Southwest. The first week of South by Southwest came and in an escape from midterm studying, I was able to enjoy multiple events that were happening around the city. Although I wasn’t fortunate enough to see Jake Gyllenhaal like my roommate,  I enjoyed sponsored games, live music, and food from the best food trucks in the city. One of my favorite events was a carnival sponsored by the new TV series “Mr. Robot.” We got on rides, got free shirts, and played games with people trying to enjoy the city as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The best way to explore a city like Austin, in my experience, is by simply grabbing your things and going. Most of the time, I feel overwhelmed with my school responsibilities. Sometimes it feels like the sun rises and sets just outside the building your stuck doing homework in. The only portal to the outer world is the screen on your phone that shows you the world. However, it’s your determination to go out and explore the city that will turn a story you saw on Snapchat to a story you experienced on your own. The internet and apps like OpenTable or Yelp expose us to the places this city has to offer. Many times, a lot of the places I fall in love with are places I find on Instagram. These platforms connect us to the city we live in and open doors wonderful experiences. Once you know your way around the city, you’ll start finding new and fun places that make up your current home. Technology facilitates your exploration but Austin is such a friendly and exciting city that even if you forget your phone at the foot of your bed, you can still have an amazing time. Last year, as I decided to escape all school related responsibilities and stepped out of my apartment without my phone. On this day, I met the light director for Drake’s concert’s, the the COO for Tyson food, was asked to participate in a Sony commercial, and sat next to the Governor of Texas during mass. This experience helped me realize how great the city of Austin, TX is. Many times I try to conform myself with only spending my time in between school and my apartment, but as technology allows me to explore new places, my eagerness to bond with the city grows. Sure being stuck in PCL for most of the weekdays can be sad and redundant, but when i’m balancing journal entries for ACC 309 with a cool pen that reminds me of the best pancakes in town, I know how fortunate I am to be here.