Road Trip 3: Navidad in San Antonio

Years ago, long before I was a Texan, I read an article in Southern Living about the San Antonio Christmas parade. I knew I had to go. You see, I love Christmas and the holiday season. I mean, I really love it. I also love San Antonio, specifically the River Walk. Yes, I realize it's kind of a touristy area, but I can't help myself. There's something so wonderful about the water taxis coasting down the snaking river bordered by beautiful landscaping and lively restaurants. I've been a huge fan ever since I first saw it, several years ago, in one of the hottest Texas summers on record, when I was massively pregnant with my second kid. If you can fall in love with San Antonio under these circumstances, you are probably a true fan.

But, I digress. Back to the Christmas parade. Hubby's family frequently attends this event, and our first holiday season in Texas seemed the perfect opportunity to join them. When asked to describe this event, I tell people that it's basically like the Macy's Day Parade, with boats.  The parade has been held for 30 years and it proceeds rain or shine. You can purchase tickets to reserve seats along the river. The boats are brightly decorated and were themed to represent different countries and cultures. There were also some Christmas themed boats. As with any good Christmas parade, the event ends with the appearance of Santa on a boat, wishing everyone a Merry Christmas as elves throw candy canes. It's a magical night for kids and adults, and one that I strongly recommend for anyone who finds themselves in Texas the Friday after Thanksgiving.

The morning after the parade, we gathered for a festive breakfast at one of my favorite places, Mi Tierra. Dating back to 1941, Mi Tierra is a San Antonio institution serving fabulous Tex Mex food 24 hours a day, every day. The front of the restaurant features a Mexican bakery (panaderia) that usually has a pretty lengthy line for the pralines, cookies, and other sweet treats. The entire establishment is brightly decorated. Basically, every day looks like Christmas Day at Mi Tierra, so it's especially fun to go at the holidays. Mariachis wander offering to sing your table a song for the bargain price of $7. There's nothing like being serenaded by the Mariachis and Hubby always requests Feria de las Flores (less touristy than requesting La Bamba). Breakfast, which is served all day at Mi Tierra, is fabulous. I had the Chilaquiles served with the best Ranchero sauce you can imagine.

Chilaquiles!

The staff members are very friendly and are nonplussed by large families with tons of children (we had 7 kids at our table that morning).

After breakfast, we walked across the courtyard to the San Antonio Market Square. The Market Square is a Mexican shopping market consisting of 100s of Mexican shops. You can purchase everything from colorful sarapes, maracas, and toy guitars (we picked up 2 guitars) to jewelry and leather goods. This particular shopping trip was a focused mission to pick up a few more Mexican tin Christmas ornaments (to add to our collection which already featured an Alamo -- nothing says Christmas like an Alamo Christmas ornament) and a small, South American style nativity.

Mexican tin ornament -- this one happens to be the Alamo.

The Market is overwhelming, but a must see. You can easily spend hours perusing all the vendors. Many are cash only, so come prepared. Once you've had your fill of shopping, you can always head back to Mi Tierra's bakery counter for sweets to boost your blood sugar (we did). If you do hit the bakery counter, I highly recommend the Mexican hot chocolate. Or, you can also refuel at the various street vendors who sell everything from roasted corn to horchata.

Our stomachs full of Mexican goodies and our arms full of shopping bags, we walked back to the car, started the Christmas music, and turned the car home to Houston. Our first holiday celebration in San Antonio had been a huge success. I look forward to incorporating this event into our annual holiday traditions and hope that some of my family and friends from the East Coast will join us in the future. Feliz Navidad to all! Texas forever.