The smell of Indian cuisine, homeless lying on the hot sidewalks, click-clacks from horses’ feet carrying couples in their Cinderella carriages, the sound of bells ringing from the University of Texas (UT). All of these memories-most good and a couple not so good-of the two weeks I have spent in Austin, Texas.

My stay has been anything but boring. Besides the daily ritual of classes in the UT Union, there was time “after hours” to check out the town. Austin is a world of entertainment--from parks to restaurants to museums and, yes, Bats! No wonder it is known as “Keep Austin Weird”!

Texas Chili Parlor was one of my favorite places. Just a little hole in the wall-it had great food and the price was right. On the other hand, at Fogo de Chao the ambience and flavor were excellent. Lisa Snider, of Duncan, Okla., and I ventured down here Saturday evening. In order to be served your meat, you turned your disk from red to green. The waiters, in their knee-high boots and Brazilian pants scurrying around with their skewers of meat, entertained us from the time we sat down until we left. And must I say the price, $45.50 for dinner, was a little shocking for a country girl. At least I can chalk it up to a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Down on West Second Street there was a nice little place, Malaga’s, where five of us had tapas (appetizers) and desserts and split them all between us. Some of the things we tried were Piernas de Codorniza La Mancha (fried quail legs), Quesode Cabra Frito con Miel (fried goat cheese), and Tres Leches cake, a Hispanic specialty. One thing I can say about Austin: There is no shortage of food to pick from-Thai, Tex-Mex, seafood, Italian, Brazilian-anything you want.

On Saturday morning I ventured to Allen’s Bootery to buy cowboy hats for my kids. Then I traveled to the UT Tower for a tour. We got a history of the Tower before riding the elevator up to the 27th floor and then ascending three flights of stairs to the observation deck. The view was incredible. It was amazing to see how many rooftops have the Spanish-Mexican architecture. An interesting fact: Did you know that the Tower is taller than the Texas State Capitol building? Rumor has it that years ago, there was on “unwritten law” that no other building in Austin could be higher than the Texas State Capitol. Not in actual height, but The UT Tower sits on a six foot incline which makes it two feet higher, 314 feet, than the Capitol building.

I made sure I checked out the ‘Monica door’ that Li Eckert, our program coordinator from UT, said to look for if we went to the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum. Suzanne Newman, from San Marcos, CA, and I spent Sunday morning in this wonderful building. At times you felt like you were part of the exhibit. It took you back in time to history class and everything seemed to come to life. I never realized how many important laws LBJ signed.

The Harry Ransom Center on the UT campus is a little hidden treasure. On the outside of the building are gorgeous windows that have been etched with pictures and sayings from the past. When I went inside I was overcome by the display of pictures from El Salvador and the famous Gutenberg Bible. I also walked over to the Blanton and Texas State History museums even though I didn't go through them. The Texas State Capitol is beautiful, especially at night. The lights shining up and the flag flowing in the sky-what a sight! A neat little fact that my friend, Sherrie Chesser, told me was that when you stand in the star under the dome inside and say something it will echo, but when you take a step outside the star you won't. Don't believe me? Try it! I did and it really worked. I even did it a couple of times--it was so neat.

Austin is a very clean town. Austinites are so hospitable. I enjoyed my two-week stay here. There was so much more I wanted to do while I was in Austin. I wanted to visit Zilker Park and Barton Springs but there just wasn't enough time. I know one thing if anyone ever asks me if I want to come back my reply will be: "When do we leave!"