1:26 a.m. - 2003-05-02
Parking
Went for a walk on the south side of downtown - other side of the railroad tracks. Saw a lot of tourists ambling or driving by. Texas licence plates, one Aussie and a couple of South Africans - can tell by the accents. Next up a group from Eastern Europe, near as I could tell not speaking any Slavic languages myself. In that's part of the Old City there are a lot of heritage buildings. One is the longtime home of one of our longest lived political families. Built on an English pattern, the best feature of the home is the old English gardens. Half a city block, a quiet oasis.
This city has a policy of creating park settings all through the downtown. Often subdued and completely unexpected. Just out the side door where I work, another half block of green space. Room and features for skateboarders, but also an ampitheater with benches circling the feature statue of children playing. Great for lunch breaks, quiet meditation, reading or napping. Off to the side another sculpture - lifesize - of a chess player seated at a table. An empty chair invites the passerby to sit and contemplate various counter moves - tourists love taking pictures of each other "playing" with the chessmaster. Bridges and walkways suggestinng much to anyone with a little imagination.
Not much else to say tonight.
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