Introvert Travel Series 2019: Austin, Texas

This has long been a source of indecision for me. Would I like Austin, Texas? Would I not? I love Texas, but I hate no can’t stand no don’t identify with hipsters.

I’m an irreverent Gen X’er through and through, raised on Winona Ryder movies and bands like Journey and Boston. Ruggedly independent (I don’t need no man!), I diss conformity (Sorry, but I don’t like sushi and won’t pretend to like it). Frankly, so many hipsters look the same to me (“Is this organic?”) that I start to wonder whether they are all really just conforming to new trends, rather than embracing the weirdness of who they really are. Dude, if you want to have a handlebar mustache, go ahead, but don’t do it just to be like everyone else in your age bracket (and yes, there were plenty of handlebar mustaches in Austin).

But that’s another topic for another day. Today we’re talking about Austin, Texas. The thing is, in addition to being naturally sarcastic about and suspicious of everything, I’m also open-minded. So I figured if I really am open-minded, I’ll at least give the city a shot.

Turns out, it’s not so bad, if you take the stuff you like and roll your Gen X eyes up at the stuff you’re not crazy about. But then, that goes for just about everything, doesn’t it?

Here are the highlights from my stay in Austin:

The Museum of the Weird is totally worth it

If you know me, then you know I like true crime shows, especially ones where I can delve into the warped psyches of serial killers. I can’t help it.

Almost everyone with Scorpio energy is like this (though they likely won’t tell you they are). So I don’t mind seeing what is alleged to be Pancho de Villa’s trigger finger. In fact, I’m fascinated by it.

 

 

 

The museum’s wax figures are also cool, the creepier, the better.

Shrunken heads? Check. Tiny slippers that Chinese women were forced to wear so that they would have dainty, feminine feet? Check. A stuffed, two headed lamb? Yep, they’ve got that, too.

 

 

 

Macabre magic show by our tour guide, where he clamps his hand in a vise, and places fish hooks in his eyelids? Check and check.

 

 

 

 

 

The highlight of the Museum of the Weird was having my photo taken with a waxed figure of King Kong:

It’s awesome. The fact that it’s open every day until midnight makes for a fantastically good time, since this is definitely something to experience at nighttime. Go with an open mind and a sense of adventure.

Dirty Sixth Street is a cool place to visit at nighttime

Yes, it’s dirty, and it’s also full of cool bars and good restaurants. I even had good mole at Iron Cactus, so I really can’t knock this place. Yes, there are hipsters. There is also a goth vibe to the place that makes it attractive for me.

There are a bunch of shops with all kinds of weird stuff. I even picked up a pair of AC/DC socks. I mean, I have the T-shirt so why not?

Those motorized scooters can die a horrible death

We have these in the DC area, too, but in Austin they are EVERYWHERE. And they seemed to be used by tipsy college kids at night. I was nearly hit so many times as I partook in my favorite pastime, that is, walking around a new city. At times they seem to completely take over the sidewalks, which is supposed to be for pedestrians!

There are bats!

Austin isn’t called Bat City for nothing. This is a topic I had absolutely no idea about prior to coming to Texas’ capital. There are LOTS of bats. I can see why the city has a weird, almost goth feel. I can dig it.

Austin peeps on the Congress Avenue Bridge waiting to watch the bats swoop out at sunset.

For introverts, it’s a good city to visit. Not super crowded, not overwhelming, easily walkable, and people pretty much leave you alone. I went at the end of June, so when university is back in session it’s likely more crowded. Watch out for those scooters, though! Especially if you like to daydream while walking, like I do.

All in all, Austin is weird, and a bit goth. I wasn’t expecting the goth feel, so that’s an added bonus in my book. It’s also a cool city to visit and still has Tex-mex food and Texas hospitality (even the goth store clerks are friendly and tell you to have a good day, and I got a free beer at hotel check-in!). So I can dig it.

There was plenty I didn’t get to, such as touring the state capitol. But you have to save something for next time.