Austin
We had a great time in Austin.
Most of the day, we were with Mom, but we also went to do some of Eli 24.0s favorite things. Food, mostly--Chuy's and Terry Black's, and P. Terry's (for me). We also went to the Blanton and Book People and Central Market and got snow cones (not available in Michigan).
Eli was looking through the Austin Chronicle, a free local paper with a highly progressive bent. In it, they list everything you can do in the city on the weekend. It was an incredible list, and it reminded me that all the money flowing into Austin has increased the number of amazing things you can do.
Still, though, in other ways, it's far less amazing now.
To me, the biggest difference is that Austin used to be a great place to be poor. Nothing cost much, incredible music talent was playing in bars for tips, the food was great and cheap, and everyone was laid back.
Now, Austin is a terrible place to be poor, but it's a great place to be rich. Lots of the best things to do are very expensive, even though they're undoubtedly amazing. Music is far less original (or interesting), and lots and lots of people spend their days peacocking.
I still enjoy being there--Eli helped me understand that--but it's so different now.
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