Thanksgiving in Austin

Well it's been a whirl wind of a time, but it seems like Freelance Adventure Traveling is taking a pause. After some time in Houston visiting family, I took a bus over to Austin. By the end of the first day I had decided I was home.

In the past week and a half I've gotten a haircut, bought a new shirt, shaved the travel beard, made business cards and a website for Freelance. Adventure. Consulting., acquired a bike, and found a place to live. I've also met tons of people and have fallen in love with this town more and more every day. Each moment brings a new adventure and a new oppurtunity to meet exciting and interesting people.

Right now I'm spending Thanksgiving with a friend from high school and three of his college buddies, who have become some of my closest friends here in Austin. We're making a bacon covered turkey, so that should go amazingly well.

I've never truly appreciated Thanksgiving as I do at this moment. In the past all of my Thanksgivings have been at home, safe and guaranteed. But I approached this holiday after months of removing myself from all the guarantees that have been provided throughout my life. The beauty of doing so is that it revealed a path I never knew possible, but was there for me to take. On that path I've made wonderful friendships, had eye opening experiences, and allowed myself to fully appreciate the things I have in life.

More importantly, I found a home.

It may have taken an adventure to get there, but the result is a life that I can call my own.

And for that, and whatever happens next, I'm thankful.

New Orleans the Carnival

Long time no update!

Since I last posted, I found a ride from St. Louis to Chicago, visited Northwestern for homecoming, flew down to New Orleans, partied it up in that city with friends, and traveled to my birthplace of Houston.

Visiting Chicago was a pleasure, both a mix of seeing friends and checking out their Occupation. I was in attendance on the Saturday 136(ish) people were arrested, though chose to refrain from the act of civil disobedience myself given that I was planning on leaving the city in a couple days. I then occupied Chicago anyway and camped out with several other Occupiers under the Chicago Picasso at Daly Plaza. One of the persons leading us to the statue said that the space under the artwork was actually designed as a refuge for those who needed one. Not sure if that's true, but I'm gonna go ahead and believe it.

Having said goodbye to the Windy City for a second time, and to it's frigid winters, I hopped on a plane to New Orleans.

That is one crazy city.

Similar to Burning Man, it's an adult playground where costumes range from elaborate to downright fantasy. This was probably helped by the fact that I was there Halloween weekend, but from my understanding Bourbon Street always has a fair share of people playing dress up. Several friends from high school were also visiting the city and three of us had arranged to be Power Rangers, an excellent choice on our part. We had a great time walking up and down Bourbon Street and wandering the French Quarter. Away from the touristy chaos of Bourbon is the Frenchman area, where I enjoyed moving blues/rock fusion (and much cheaper drinks.)

As for the food...The food was amazing. Po Boys were stuffed with the freshest shrimp I've ever tasted. Oysters were chargrilled and seasoned with romano cheese. The fried chicken was simply superb, tender and tasty all the way through. And Beignets...oh Beignets, how I will miss you and your fried doughy goodness, all covered in powdered sugar. That city really knows how to eat. I can't say they have much variety, but the things they do, they do them like no one else. Which I guess you could say for just about the whole city. It has its own distinct culture and is extraordinarily proud of that fact. As it should be.

I've now flown to Houston and am staying with my mother and brother. Next stop Austin!