Austin and I get along really well. We have the same sense of humor: Weird! I love how this city can be completely new and exciting one minute, and turn into home the next. Coming from the suburbs of Houston, Austin was a cultural awakening for me. Don’t get me wrong, Houston is awesome! Though, I don’t particularly like the idea of having to drive on a highway flyover just to get a view. (Sorry Houstonians!) But I digress. I have found my niche in Austin. There is something to do for every kind of enthusiast: whether it’s art, music, adventure, food, business, or just lazying around at a hip cafe! (Yes, you can be enthusiastic about being lazy. It’s a thing.) To continue my cultural awakening this semester, I visited some Austin favorites!
1.) Austin Capitol Building:
My friend and I took a tour of the Capitol Building! The inside was as beautiful as the magnificent facade. Tip: walk up to the middle star in the main lobby, look up, and gasp at the grandeur of the dome looming up above. I couldn’t stop staring until my neck hurt! I have visited the Capitol many times, but never took a tour. I really recommend it! It helps give perspective to the whole experience, and you get to learn a lot! After words, we had a picnic in the beautiful grounds. We got blankets, had our lunch, and felt so peaceful. And the view was great! Tip: chicken salad sandwiches are the best picnic meal. Pro-tip: chicken salad sandwiches with BBQ chips are the best picnic meal. Afterwards, we decided to take a walk around the grounds. We may or may not have caught a Pikachu:)
2.) Esther’s Follies comedy variety show:
THIS IS A MUST DO! A group of friends (and my twin for those who are confused. My sister is holding the playbill.) visited one weekend, and I decided to take them to an Austin staple. The show has been running on the same stage for over 30 years, and it is HILARIOUS! It’s in the heart of downtown on Sixth street and has a great vibe. The whole production is done on a small stage, and the audience size is really small, so you really get an up-front and personal experience with the show. It has everything: singing, dancing, comedy sketches, and my favorite part: magic! I fell in love with all the cast personalities.
3.) Sunset at The Oasis Restaurant
This place is heaven on earth. The restaurant is set atop a cliff overlooking the gorgeous Lake Travis. When I first walked into the restaurant, I was taken aback. The architecture is gorgeous, and every little space is covered in some kind of artistic detail, fixture, or greenery. The angels were singing before I even made it to the balcony with the view! The food, I’ll admit, was ok. We waited for sunset at the top most floor, and when it came, I actually got emotional! Check out that fiery dance of clouds and light! It was breath-taking!
I didn’t really realize the role technology played in my experiences until going through this course. I am now always aware of what I’m doing in the digital world. I found myself drawn to sharing these pictures with my friends and family (even in chat groups with family from India!) over WhatsApp immediately after taking them. As soon as I would post them, I would wait for a response from them. I was hoping they would find my day as interesting as I did! I always thought that our lives revolve around technology and social media too much. But this course has definitely taught me to appreciate and embrace the digital culture we live in. I realized I am very dependent on my phone functionally. I couldn’t have found The Oasis Restaurant or Esther’s Follies had it not been for my trusty side-kick: google maps. Looking back at these pictures, I’m so glad I whipped out my phone and took them. Sharing my snaps from the Captiol building and Esther’s Follies made me feel more connected to my Austin experiences. The photos created permanent memories. My phone was helping me connect with my social circles too. I loved being able to share, and also learn what my relatives are up to in India or Houston. This is when I realized that technology was actually enhancing my communication with others, not hindering it.
-Love, Sakeenah Tyebbhoy
Never been to Oasis! Sounds like a place I would love to go! Thanks for the recommendation! That is an amazing picture of a Texas sunset.
I defiantly agree that Austin is a unique and strange city! I am just now getting to know my way around, and I am already loving what I see. However, I am still a fan of my hometown Dallas! I visited the capital a few years ago, but I think it’s time for a re-visit. It’s so neat that we get to live in our state’s capital. I love that Austin has so many restaurants with a view. I will certainly go check out The Oasis! That is such an amazing sunset.
You’re experiences seem really cool and I agree that there is really something interesting for everyone in Austin! I haven’t been to the capitol building, but after your description it definitely seems like somewhere I want to visit. I have been to the Oasis and share the same love for it as you did… definitely one of the best views I’ve seen in a while. I also share the same urge to share my experiences and photos with my friends and family and always find myself eager to send them pictures quickly after taking them.
I think it is awesome that you went to Esther’s Follies!!! My parents both went to UT and so when I was a kid, we would visit Austin and they would always go to Esther’s Follies, finally taking me when I was deemed old enough. Not enough people here at UT know how amazing it is!! I have been a handful of times and every single time I have been in tears from laughing so hard. Who was your favorite character? My family and I love the magician, and when he does his bit where he stares at an audience member one inch away from their face, we are beside ourselves with laughter. What a great experience. Also, I have been to the Oasis myself and seen many pictures of it as well, but yours has to be one of the best I’ve seen! If only the food at the Oasis was just a little better. Oh well, the view more than makes up for it.
I am so glad that you have found your niche in Austin. I feel like that is something that all of us hope for when moving off for college, and Austin is an easy place to feel accepted. Sadly, I have never visited the capital since I have moved to Austin. I need to make a plan to go do that with some of my friends and have a picnic. However, I have been to the Oasis. It is an awesome restaurant with an even more amazing view. My parents are always dying to have dinner there when they visit. That is actually the restaurant my parents took me to celebrate my acceptance to Texas! I agree that our phones are essential for finding new, exciting places to explore in this city. I truly do not know what I would do without mine.
“Cultural awakening” is the BEST way I’ve ever heard the “Austin experience” described as. Dallas (my hometown) is similar, but does NOT compare with Austin culture due to how Austin embodies freedom in every way possible. I definitely agree with how you said that there is something to do for any type of person.