On one of our last days of Summer were spent the day exploring San Antonio and searching for murals. In my favorite TED Talk by Bruce Feiler, he says that teaching your children about where they come from helps them to understand that they are a part of a great narrative. That children who knew their family's story, feel a stronger sense of control of their lives, and have a greater self esteem.
And so we went, mural searching on the same streets of the city's South and West sides of San Antonio that our family history shares...
Warning, there are so many awesome pictures that we had to split into an Part 1 and Part 2. :)
First stop, Taco Haven, for breakfast. A restaurant in the neighborhood my husband grew up in, and that we both went to high school in, we frequent Taco Haven quite often! Not only because of the awesome food, but the unforgettable memories and the amazing cultural paintings inside. Taco Haven is located at 1032 South Presa, San Antonio, Texas 78210.
Also right outside of Taco Haven's is the mural of Civil Rights Leader Emma Tenayuca. A native of San Antonio, and graduate of Brackenridge High School, she fought for labor rights for Mexican and Mexican Americans from the age of 18. We talked a bit about this as we drove through the neighborhood. This mural is on the side of the Kwik Wash across the street from Taco Haven.
Next stop was just a couple blocks away... our beloved Abuelita's house, who passed away last year. It is the house that my husband grew up in, where my babies took some of their first steps, and where they kissed their great grandmother as she sat in her favorite chair, near the front door. Although it looks a bit different now, the memories are still there.
After, we went from downtown to the Westside of San Antonio, where my grandparents laid their roots and where I went to Middle School. Along the art filled and culturally proud streets of Guadalupe and Brazos is La Chiquita Bakery. The mural says "Familia y Cultura es Vida"/"Family and Culture are Life", and I couldn't agree more. On the sidewalk of the panaderia are also instructions on how to do the Conjunto Waltz and Polka, just in case you don't know how! After testing out our Tejano moves, we stopped inside for some pan de dulce and churros!
La Chiquita Bakery is located at 1227 El Paso, San Antonio, Texas 78207.
On our way to my grandparent's home, we drove by Giovanni's Pizza and saw this beauty. We didn't get to stop in, but I hear the owner is from NY and makes a delicious slice!
I hope you have enjoyed our mural tour so far. I have so many great pics that I'm going to have to share the rest in a second post, so be on the look out for Part 2!
:)
