Unintentionally (sort of but not really) because I had an idea they'd be there but tried to avoid them unsuccessfully.

My brother in law and sister in law from New York were in town visiting this weekend and wanted to see the town. She’s never been to San Antonio or Texas.

So Saturday we did a Ghost tour which starts in front of the Alamo. As does the Protest apparently. So we got to hear them. About 200 of them chanting and screaming with signs that say love tumps hate which seemed awfully ironic. They seemed awfully angry to me. As our tour is 1.5 mile walk they seemed to follow us to the San Fernando Cathedral and then up to the steps of the closed City Hall (which we were behind it at the Spanish Governor's Mansion). So that was annoying. But educational for the two children with us (mine and my friend’s 10yr old).

Then on Sunday we decided to drive up to Austin and see the State Capitol building, because why not? So off I drive. We got there an hour after it closed for visitors but its so pretty and is actually taller than the US State Capitol with a beautiful green lawn walking park in front of it. It’s open late night and so we walkthrough and up to the steps. Had a nice chat with the line of troopers up there and AJ got a sticker for her shirt and one to take home while the in laws got photos. I could hear the crowd of protesters nearing. I took my exit but as they approached I noticed they were louder but far less of them. The cops way out numbered them. These were much more vulgar in voice and chanting this was democracy. Really cause I thought voting was?

So AJ wanted to stay and watch but I kept her safely away. The In-laws that it was interesting to see history from another state and a different view. Still two blue cities with blue voters and protests that really fell on deaf ears as most passerbys would comment “Vote for Pedro” or “enough already” while walking their dogs and pushing their kids in strollers for an evening walk. Only those in the protest videoed it the rest didn’t seem to notice. San Antonio had more tourists as we were hosting the Notre Dame/Army Game and so the words were more like “peace” and “can’t we get alone” and “Its only 4yrs”, “love is quiet”, “protesting against what?” “nothing changes” “Work to a solution, stop yelling” Worse was “no one cares”.

For me the buzz on the outskirts was much more interesting to hear and educational that the chants of the protesters. The uniformed military were respected and stayed away from the fray, we have so many active, retired and veterans here. No one wanted to push their fellow countryman/woman here. Respect was high and I was proud. The protesters were young. It was a social viewing, if ever was one. Austin (which is like SOHO meets the Village) seemed much more bleh about it and such a smaller turn out which amazed me.