It's been a while

Well it has been a while since last I posted on this here blog. There is no real good excuse for this beyond the fact that I have not felt like writing as of late. The title of this blog is Adventures Make Great Stories, and I have had few adventures over the past couple weeks. My life out here has been, well, mundane. I would be lying if I said that I did not mind this. In fact, I wish I had grand adventures to share with everyone. But seeing as this is not the case at the moment, I will share with you the few things that I have "done" as well as the lessons that I am learning (or being force fed).

Besides working out, reading, getting sick, buying snacks, watching Firefly, and picking up the mail, my weekdays consist of very little. I began to learn over the six months that I worked at Biola how little time one actually has during one's day when at the office from 8-5. By the time I get off work, go to the gym and eat dinner it is nearly 9pm. The weekends is the time for fun and the time for hanging out in earnest. I have been truly blessed since arriving here with people to hang out with on the weekends and having my time filled.

During the past two weekends I received a true indoctrination into Texan culture. First, I went to Club Ariba. There exists in Del Rio two "clubs," if they can be called that. The less sketchy of the two is Club Ariba. So how can I describe this place. The building looks from the outside like any typical grocery store (ie: it is located in a little strip mall). When you walk into the building several things smack you in the face. First, the entire place is a big cloud of smoke. Second, there are a lot of cowboy hats. Third, there are only three types of people present: 1) old slightly overweight Mexican men, 2) very overweight Mexican women, & 3) Airforce guys. Forth, there is a small dance floor. Finally, there are two bars, two or three pool tables, and a bunch of tables around the outside for people to sit at. Sufice to say, if you're into people watching and don't mind loud Mexican music (intermixed with R&B) and lots of smoke, this is the place to do it. Lets just say it is not a place to bring your kids, but it is definitely a "must see" down here.

The second indoctrination to Texas was my trip to Mexico the following day. Great food, dump of a town. Enough said. If you are looking for a tasty meal on a budget, this is the place to go. If you're looking for anything else, I advise a pass. On the other hand, the flea market that is on the American side of the border just before the border crossing is a must visit. It is here that you can buy anything your heart desires. You can buy tires of every kind, sadles, broken exercise bikes, tee-shirts, half colored in coloring books, a cup of coffee for 25 cents, or a one-eared stuffed dear head to spice up your living room wall. I will leave it that. My friends and I decided that the flea market was indeed more sketchy then the Mexian town across the border, which is saying something.

The final indoctrination I received was this past Friday night at Cowboys Dance Hall in San Antonio. It was like nothing I had ever seen before. The Dance Hall was a giant warehouse turned western dance studio. The outside is decorated like the West. Inside there are 6-10 bars along the walls. THe middle of the building consists of a humongous dance floor (maybe 300ft by 150ft), and a large stage. The real kicker is in the back of the building. Anyone want to venture a guess? Bull riding. Every Friday, 8:30 and 10:30. Real bulls. Yes, that is correct. The back of the building consists of a rodeo ring/field (whatever its called), some bleachers, and a section for the bulls. Indoors. Where else in this great nation can you find such a place. The people watching alone is worth the $8 cover charge. Unlike Club Ariba, Cowboys has a wide range of fellows. They've got the nerdy cowboys, the want-to-be cowboys, the real "I rustle cows in my free time" cowboys, the Mexian cowboys who all stand in a line with their left hand in their pocket while throwing back a beer with their right, the guys who don't even try, the old people who actually know how to dance, and the young people who definitely don't. I guess it's true what they say. Everything is big in Texas.

Well I suppose that that is enough for your reading pleasure at the moment. I will be back tonight or tomorrow to share with all of you about the lessons that I am learning. It is these lessons that will matter in 20 years, and I hope to share them with all of you.