Most who know me personally will ask, “Why San Antonio?” My uncle and aunt who helped raise me after my mother’s death left Hawaii a couple months after I did and moved to the burbs of San Antonio where their only son and his family resides. Following my father’s passing were a few more family members and I think my uncle and aunt being the people they are, wanted to be prepared, secure and not let their son go through what I had to.

Hawaii is my home and it’s hard to come to terms with a place I call home with barely any of my family left there. So to feed my need to see the people I love, I flew out from SF, the flight was cheaper then from Seattle and US Airways and United merged, meaning what I have mentioned previously, more miles.

The adventure started with a layover in PHX. (nuff said, my homies Arlene and Mau feel me) and a short ride to Texas before I knew it I saw Uncle Frank in the airport looking for me and I was riding in the backseat of the same Camry with auntie in shotgun.

They were staying in an apartment complex as their new house was being built. We exchanged stories about our similar experiences of leaving Hawaii. Me being in my 20s and auntie and uncle being in their 70’s, I was surprised how much we had in common. We shared our woes and our feeling of triumph. Seattle was offering me a life I could never have in Hawaii and although auntie and uncle aren’t loving the South, they are finally able to afford the luxuries that living in expensive Hawaii could never give them and being in the close proximity of their son, his wife and children.

SAT was hot and humid in a different way then Hawaii is but not as much of a desert as I thought. The actual landscape is bare and completely flat. I really couldn’t find anything appealing about the natural landscape worth photographing. I thought there would be tumble weeds or cactus or something found in Western films. Sadly, there was not. I have complained about the food in Seattle, but after my first experience for five days in the ‘burbs, I am lucky and I now understand even more the infatuation with Hawaii’s food and grocery stores. (although every city I go to, must find a decent Korean Restaurant and I did! Of course they combined sushi on their menu)

I was open to a new experience and I got it. Most people, as I had told my cousin when he asked me when I would visit, would never to think go to a place and add so much prejudice to an area and the people there. It’s true, it’s completely true, but now I can say, I understand now that I have finally gone out to venture such a place. I found racism, religion and way of life is just as you see on television shows based on smaller towns in the burbs which is similar but different to the bigger cities, and being there made me understand why.

Aside from learning how people act and think there, I got to meet the rest of my uncle and aunt’s family. Finally got to meet my cousin’s wife and two youngest sons. I think it’s pretty obvious and known that we come from different sides of the spectrum but the element that matters the most was the fact that we are family and the love for Frank and Agnes and how they are our parental figures. I was able to go to a new place I didn’t desire to ever go to, and make it a place I associate with great memories and a place where my loved ones are and in turn, make that place into a decently dope town in my head.

The three things to do in SAT. The Tower of America, which is taller then the Space Needle and also has an over priced restaurant sitting at the top of it, The River Walk and the Alamo. Tower of America took a few minutes to get use to the revolving-ness. But it made me sure I had seen everything SAT had to offer. The whole family came minus the youngest one, the 2nd oldest, David, even came down from Austin where he attends college for some crazy nanobot technology, to kick it. (David’s so cute, he asked me what a “square” was and when I described it, he asked me what a circle could possibly be)

River Walk is a partially man made river with a river that flows through downtown that had water taxis and tours. There are mostly hotels, stores and restaurants. This will ensure that you will see most of what downtown SAT has to offer in less than an hour. It starts and ends at the mall. I loved chillin with auntie and uncle on the water. It was a field trip day with them because we also hit up the Alamo. Auntie told me, “Whatever you expecting at the Alamo, don’t.”

Turns out they added a few new things and like most things I am not use to, it was totally free. Well, I can now say, I kinda know what the Alamo is. When a Texan with a bola equipped with a cowboy hat talks about how the grace of God is the reason why is able to school you on what the Alamo is, I probably got what was similar to my 5th grade education of what the annexation of Hawaii was. Overall, it was tight. I sent postcards out to a very special 10 people since they sold 10 packs at the Alamo gift shop, took a few pictures I wasn’t supposed to and bought Eric a scorpion lollipop that he actually ended up eating. (and I ate a little too)

San Antonio, I got everything I could and that you can. Definitely an eye opening experience. I got to spend time with my family and now I got my baby 2nd cousin hip to most of the hip-hop I listen to and I will be returning since SAT has my family. And maybe we can buy $1 mixtapes off of the side of the road from a dude who hella “is gunna rep his citay” in the triple digit heat.

Thanks to United Airlines, I had a free trip back to San Francisco. Booked for two weeks and in between managed to get to Texas. Eight days in, five days out, and one day back in.

This was my fourth (?) trip back this year. I was there to take care of some bizznazz (as usual) and I will say this openly. Wells Fargo, for one of the biggest banks in the nation, your establishment is the epitome of corporations and how most corporations will treat their customers. I am truly disappointed and probably one of your most disappointed and disgruntled clients. I cannot wait until we are longer doing business together.

On the other hand, Eric came down for the labor day weekend to celebrate our “official” one year official-ness. I was hoping to show him a good time in the city for payback on all the help the last time we had come and drove a giant truck up the west coast together. We stayed with family. Eric finally had his first Napa experience at V. Sattui. I would recommend this place on a non-weekend, try something from the deli and please try their award winning wines, they are pretty impressive. They also do not waive the tasting fee if you purchase. No matter how much you try to hustle with them. And trust me, I have.

A must-go restaurant is San Tung on Irving. When I was looking at the place-mats and tea cups back in April when I was there with David, the memories of my mom washing my kimchee in jasmine tea came rushing back. My parents use to take me there. They are a Chinese restaurant, but one of the first things they will put in front of you is the best plate of kimchee you will ever have. Why? I am not sure. They only serve Chinese food, banging Chinese food. (I guess with a banging side of kimchee)

I cannot stress how amazing the Museum of Science is!! Expensive, But use your fake student id to get $5 off. I think it ended up being almost $60 bucks for the both of us. It was worth it. We were in there for four hours and didn’t even finish. There was a planetarium that made Bishop Museums look like the A-track, an indoor rain forest with about 5 feet long arowonas, free flying birds and butterflies and enough exhibits and activities to keep you busy all day! That part of Golden Gate Park with the gardens and museums is really a gem in the park.

I also had the chance to meet up with some amazing people. Nancy Trinh, was hella ride or die. My friend from the first grade! I couldn’t have gotten certain things done without her or kept my sanity. I got a change to kick it with my girl Nani who is the sweetest and literally, sweetest pastry chef. We ate at Chachachas in the Mission and got to catch up. My dude David who will no doubt drive two hours just to kick it with me! He’ll take you to restaurants on your anniversary day where his smoking hot ex-girlfriend works. We’ll also eat bi-rite ice’s famous honey lavender flavored ice cream in the Mission and lay around in Dolores Park. My girl Ali took me to her parents house to make me breakfast and catch up. Ali is one of those folks that when she speaks to me, I try my hardest to listen to what she is asking me because her inquisitiveness is very genuine in ways you don’t experience often. She will usually say things that will make me think about them later. After meeting her amazing parents, I know where she gets it from. Bonnie and I met back in Hawaii due to mutual friends. Not only will I say the girl is just beautiful! (amazing lips) But I love that straight up effort she put in to meet up with a fellow sister was dope. Also got a catch up session with Krish (aka Rocky Rivera) at her mom’s place. Ain’t nothing like catching up with Krish. I’m glad we can say anything to each other. Last but not least, my Uncle Dave. This man has been my father’s friend for 20 years and now has become mine. He is the bay area classic and can show you every corner and secret of that city. Something my dad had a knack for in Hawaii. Not only has he done so much for me since my father’s passing but he’s been a good friend. He’s also the type of guy you can look up to because he’s open, has a good judge of character and does things from his heart. Nuff said, look at that photo with him harassing the guy playing piano at the Hilton. You gotta meet this guy once.

Since we got on the food roll and there is nothing else new I can tell you about this place…
Arrang Korean Restaurant right outside of Japan town is pretty legit. Me and David hit it up and they are one of the only places I have ever been too that serve the burnt rice with the burnt rice tea. They also have cut up apples in the potato salad.
Top Dog in Berkeley is famous for their hot dogs. But if you are a vegetarian. Don’t even bother.
Maki restaurant is in Japan town plaza. Notice the picture of Eric’s spoon with the stickers on it. I noticed it when he was half way done.
Tomasos is my favorite restaurant in North Beach. If you don’t get there right when they open, be prepared to wait at least an hour for a table. This time I think we waited an hour and half. But trust me, it’s worth the wait. They have the first fire brick oven in the bay.
Toscas is right down the street from Tomasos, it was a saloon from back in the days of prohibition. It’s equipped with jukebox with Sinatra hits, the old espresso machine that looks like a chimney and the classic “special” drink. The “special” was the saloons signature drink back in the day to get people their fix of alcohol. I ordered one for the first time. It was hot chocolate and brandy. Took me by surprise. It was like Christmas in a cup.

I didn’t realize until I met someone from another country who really wanted to live in the US, how cool were all the places I am from/grew up in. LA>BAY>HI and now SEA. Until next time sf…

Thi-le invited us back up, this time for Jay’s birthday. The presence of the some of the best cooked Vietnamese and Filipino was irresistible! Freshly slaughter lechon and goat is ideal for Eric, I was feeling picking the fresh tomatoes in the garden and eating them like apples. I have never tasted anything like it.

The drive this time was minor, after the 16 almost straight hours from SAC to SEA in one day, Canada in one day, and just being back on the BEST COAST, I managed to drive it in one sit from our house. This time we noticed these beautiful catcus-like plants surrounded by barbed wire, later we found out, it was the new tobacco fields.

We missed the actual slaughter of the goat, which I guess, we weren’t that inclined to seeing. All of Thi-le and Jay’s family were there, which I still think it’s amazing two people unrelated but in love/relationship can unite their families like they do. The only time that happens in my family is at an actual wedding that’s been planned for two years. Thi-le and Jay’s uncles were all sitting at one table together. They were informative about the kinds of food that make men “strong”. Which we later concluded was anything considered gnarly to eat in any culture was considered good for sexual health. I mean, cmon, we’ve all heard about them. It’s only in America do they insist it’s a pill.

Tito next door flattered us too much with stories of good looking Japanese and Korean people he had known. He also knew Honolulu pretty well since he had met his wife there. So of course the Hawaii talk came out. He admitted he heard we rode his horse with the help of his son last time and graciously invited us over the next morning to ride his horses again.

Thi-le opened the bottle of wine I bought her for her birthday the month before and made some pretty impressive poke. She said to me “They always give people the benefit of the doubt.” It wasn’t about digging too deep. It was about being hospitable and having a good time with good people who we all know aren’t perfect but good/great if that’s what you want to see. Why not indulge in some one’s good? There are so many who only focus on what they don’t like about…everything. I truly look up to their families. It makes sense, you are so much of what’s been around you.

We called it a night and learned that in those parts of Washington and maybe true in other more isolated places in America, spending an extra $20 bucks on your room, can make it into a suite with a balcony and two tvs.

Again, the country experience or Wapato/Yakima is amazing to us. Never have I felt so much like a city girl or learned the true luxury of farm life. This time, the corn from the last trip, were already ripe and the next morning when we drove back to the farm, the aunties has already roasted them over an open fire.

Then it was horse time. Tito next door, he really showed us what his horse can do. Apparently Tito next door is famous all throughout Wapato and Yakima for his ability to teach horses how to dance. I really thought “dance” was a loose term until I saw. And if you don’t ever see a horse fully do the moon walk in life, you are missing out. And if you don’t ever sit bitch on a horse, trust me, you’re not missing anything. It’s pretty terribly scary, especially on a horse that feels like busting out his dance moves every now and then while galloping.

My apologies for not taking video on this one. In case you missed the first adventure to Yakima, HERE.