Eat, Sweat, Austin

So…here I am in Austin. I’ve been here for two weeks now and I think I am finally acclimating to the heat. The first week and half was brutal. Z’s air conditioning in his car decided to quit in August, the middle of summer! It wouldn’t be that big of a deal if it wasnt 106 degrees outside and if I didn’t sweat so much. In the first 10 minutes of being outside I am drenched in sweat and that is NOT an exaggeration. As dry as pie, Z would look over at my sweaty self and kindly ask if anyone else in my family sweats this much. Perhaps it’s a disorder? Uh, no. Just me. No one else sweats like I do in my family. Even my sisters look at me like I must be from another mother. I wonder too sometimes as I sit here in Austin melting away. The days are too hot to simply take a stroll. I look out the window and see people biking and running in this heat and wonder…ARE THEY CRAZY?
Apparently I must look like the crazy one. By the time we reach our destination I am soaked from my own perspiration. It looks like I just completed a marathon when actually we drove to dinner. Windows down, hot air blowing in our faces Z and I look at each other and just smile. Happy thoughts. Grateful thoughts. COLD thoughts pretending that it doesn’t matter that the air conditioning doesn’t work. We are better than that….yeah…
But I’m happy that I’m here. Minus the Texas heat Austin is an awesome city. The people are very friendly. I love that there is a strong artistic community that is active in supporting local artists and I love how genuinely eco conscious everyone is here without taking it to the next level of pretentiousness. The food is to die for especially the BBQ ribs at The Salt Lick. It has quickly become our favorite spot in the Hill Country of Austin.
For two weeks I am left to fend my own entertainment as Z heads back to work. I’m not sure what I’m going to do with myself but one thing for sure is air conditioning is a must.