dokodemo

The first order of business was to fix my window; the regulator (device gripping the window inside the door) had shattered, and I was unable to do much about it other than permanantly secure the window closed with a zip-tie. I met Toby at Underground VW, a shop specializing in "metaphysical volkswagen repairs". We never got into the metaphysical part of it, but he was a great guy. Very knowledgable, with a very clean shop. Several aircooled busses, a doka vanagon (pickup truck style) and some hotrod bugs provided some interest. Toby liked to talk... both on the phone and in person, it was hard for me to escape. He had to order a part so I left the van overnight and walked back to Andy's house.

It was about 95 degrees and at least that % humid. I passed a flock of feral parrots in a parklike area, but did not have camera with me. It was amazing to see so many of them and hear them squawking as they patrolled the ground, pecking at seeds or bugs or doritos.

I've been out to eat a lot, its a change from the simple things I've been having on the road, though it has been excellent to get back to the civilized world of indian food (a couple times), pizza (in a place decked out with fantasy decor, the oil paintings from terrible sci-fi books and comics), mexican, gourmet coffee (beans imported from zoka in Seattle where Maki works), and co-op grocery stores to replenish the drygoods in the van.

Also while in town, needed some supplies such as a towel which I left in Missoula. I've just been using a little microfiber towel, which does work, but I've realized a full-sized towel is such a comfort whether at a friends house or a truck-stop shower. Got some citronella candles for the candle lantern, but they do not seem to be effective in any way.

It was interesting to attend a meeting at a beautiful airstream camper for the Circle of Health International organization, which arranges to get birthing supplies, midwife training, and other necessities for life to third world nations.

The heat in Austin has been atypically HOT with millions of mosquitos scanning the area for fresh blood. The heat and humidity have not relented since Alabama, and its taken some getting used to. Andy's garage is so tropical that a vine was growing up from the drain, in the dark.

We experienced a very sudden thunderstorm, the likes of which I have not seen since living in Japan. A hot and clear evening was suddenly interrupted by very large cracks of thunder and very heavy rain. I realized the windows and sunroof in the van were open, and in the 30 seconds it took to run outside, I was pretty soaked. Good times.

Another errand needing to be done was to refill the propane (for van's stove and refridgerator). It is surprisingly difficult to find in the south, I have been looking for it since South Carolina. I stopped at 2 service stations which had it, but would only fill portable tanks, not campers. So in Austin I went out to a special propane supplier, and they claimed my valve is busted. I do not believe this is true, since it was recently rebuilt and cleaned. At times attendents do have trouble with the Vanagon fitting, and I am told tapping it with a hammer can release a sticky valve. This attendent didn't really seem to want to help me, and he basically left me standing at the pump as he said "get it fixed and come back" and walked back inside. I will have to try my luck elsewhere, and keep using the camp stove for now.

We took a day trip out to the Enchanted Rock, in the area called Hill Country. It was spectacular... an enormous granite dome rising out of the rolling green hills. Huge boulders littered the area, it was difficult to maintain a sense of scale since they looked miniature from a distance. We walked to the top of the rock until the sun started to set and insects started biting. There was an unfortunate injury of some kind as we were walking down. Rescue teams with stretchers were working to free someone who had apparantly fallen. I had my own miniscule injury in the form of a mosquito bite tunred blister which blew out and made walking fairly unpleasant. Praise be to the Spenco 2nd Skin pads, sadly I wasnt carrying one. Those things are miraculous. I suggest you go out and get a blister so that you can experience the joy of their healing touch.

One of the great exports from Austin is Tito's Handmade Vodka. I am really not a vodka drinker, in fact I fall into the "don't like it" category. This stuff is amazing, however. Very smooth with none of that jet-fuel taste. I had to pick up 2 bottles, one for tasting here in its homeland, and one to take back to Seattle.

Today involves tying up the loose ends, seeing a few more folks, and packing. Tommorow I'll be heading west and ticking off the days until real life resumes.