The not so right man for the job

We left Pasadena, California on December 12 for our next destination of Austin, Texas. Our goal was to get as far as possible before Jon could not drive any further. This plan would also put us in good shape to arrive to Austin by Friday December 14. 

And drive Jon did, clocking in the most mileage and hours on the road to date. We stopped in Las Cruces, New Mexico to have a late lunch at a wonderful place called De la Vega's Pecan Grill & Brewery. Despite the temptation to grab something quick and get on the road again, taking the time to get out and enjoy a good and usually healthier meal does wonders for a long day on the road. The other blessing we found out on this long day of driving was having a paid subscription to Pandora. We were blessed with hours of great music, but that also could have been our station selection. Ps- the Tom Petty station quickly proved to be one of our favorites. 

By late evening we found ourselves in the middle of no where Texas in a town called Fort Stockton. We grabbed a room for the night, rested up and woke up the next day to push through to Austin. 

We arrived to Austin by early evening and decided to check into Mansion at Judges' Hill (thanks for the recommendation Deana!). After a few nights in your average road-trip sort of hotels, it sure was nice to grab a room at a place that allowed for a little bit of pampering.

After a quick shower and wardrobe change we were ready to make our way over to West 6th street...where ALL the action happens in Austin. On the ride over, our taxi driver mentioned that we would want to catch a cab back before 1:30 am; any later and we would have difficulty finding one. This was fine with us since we didn't plan to be out too late; we had to get up and make it to New Orleans the next day. 

West 6th was hopping. The normal lively atmosphere of the street was amplified by the fact that the running of the Santa's had taken place earlier in the day. So not only were the ladies dressed to impress, a lot of guys were wearing their best red dress too. 

We made our way to a few bars, making friends along the way. A little after 1 am we were poised on a street corner ready to grab a cab and head back to our hotel. The alternate version of this scene would have ended with Jon and me getting into that cab and catching a good night of rest at our hotel. However; fate, in the form of a lively group of people on the very same street corner, stepped in...and here's what happened instead. 

With our new found friends in tow, we made our way to a few more bars and dance clubs. By 2:30 am it was time to tap out. Before doing so we needed to secure a ride home. Without a cab in sight, we spotted some rickshaws. We made our way over and solicited one of the guys to get us back to our hotel. With the price negotiated, we were quick to ask if there would be anyplace to grab food along the way...with all the excitement of getting out into Austin to maximize our time there, we had forgotten to eat dinner. Our driver Eddie mentioned that it would be best if we got something on the street before we headed out. So as Jon waited with the rickshaw to make sure Eddie didn't take another group, I made my way over to a gastro truck to get us some food. 

The gastro trucks in Austin would give most fine restaurants a run for their money. There is a wide selection of unique and gourmet-like food available at nearly every truck. I went to the nearest truck and selected three items at random off of the menu. Twenty minutes later, with the food in hand, Jon and I took our seat so Eddie could take us home. 

Despite being the scrawniest rickshaw driver I had every seen, I had high hopes for Eddie...I mean, you don't take on a job if you can't do it, right?! 

Not more then five minutes into the ride, just as we were biting into the first food plate, Eddie wipes out. And by 'wipes out', I mean the bike slides out from under him and our rickshaw seat scrapes the pavement. Wtf?! Thank god for our quick reflexes, we saved the food and managed not to get injured in the process. 

Eddie rights the bike and apologies profusely...he gets whatever bike is given to him for the night and this one is crap, also the roads were still a little wet from a sprinkle of rain that came down earlier. Fair enough and bygones...until five minutes later when Eddie wipes out again. 

At this point it is evident that Eddie is struggling.  I take matters into my own hands, give Jon the food plates, and ask the kid to let me pedal for a bit. In theory this would have been a good idea if one, I wasn't wearing a dress and two, I could actually get onto the bike- the seat was too high for me. I admit defeat but Jon is quick to step in, I was onto something here. Jon hands the food plates to me for safe keeping as I take my seat and then he gets onto the bike to start what I couldn't finish...because one, he wasn't wearing a dress and two, he could actually reach the pedals. 

Jon's successful stint as a rickshaw driver was cut short when Eddie noticed a police officer up ahead. It's against the law for an unlicensed driver to operate one of these things...so Jon dismounted and Eddie took up pedaling again. We pass the cop and yup, you guessed it.....Eddie wipes out one more time before finally delivering us to our hotel. By this point Eddie is dripping with sweat and out of breath. We hand the kid his fare and say a silent prayer for Eddie to find a more suitable profession, preferably the next day. Clearly the kid wasn't cut out for this line of work. 

We woke up the next morning feeling the effects of staying out later than expected. So we took our time getting ready and had a late breakfast/early lunch at Magnolia's cafe ( a must in Austin) before heading back out on the road for New Orleans.  

Nadia with a running Santa.

 

 

 

Jon enjoying the night life on West 6th street.

 

 

 

The kid, Eddie and his not so hot biking skills...note the guy fallen down to the right of the photo (priceless).