More Than the Alamo
6/4/2011 | 26m 51sVideo has Closed Captions
Joseph returns to San Antonio to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.
Joseph returns to San Antonio, a town he’s visited regularly since 1969, to celebrate Cinco de Mayo and introduce viewers to some of his favorite things and shows them why it’s said that San Antonio is every Texans’ second hometown. There’s a slew of attractions to entertain visitors, but it's San Antonio’s diverse cultures and the way the people love to celebrate that is most impressive.
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Joseph Rosendo’s Travelscope is presented by your local public television station.
Distributed nationally by American Public Television
More Than the Alamo
6/4/2011 | 26m 51sVideo has Closed Captions
Joseph returns to San Antonio, a town he’s visited regularly since 1969, to celebrate Cinco de Mayo and introduce viewers to some of his favorite things and shows them why it’s said that San Antonio is every Texans’ second hometown. There’s a slew of attractions to entertain visitors, but it's San Antonio’s diverse cultures and the way the people love to celebrate that is most impressive.
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship>> WELCOME TO "TRAVELSCOPE," WITH JOSEPH ROSENDO, WHERE EACH WEEK YOU JOIN US AS WE ACCEPT THE WORLD'S INVITATION TO VISIT.
>> YAHOO!
>> TODAY ON "TRAVELSCOPE, I HEAD TO SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, TO CELEBRATE CINCO DE MAYO IN EVERY TEXAN'S SECOND HOMETOWN.
[CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY FRIENDS OF NCI] >> "TRAVELSCOPE" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY DK EYEWITNESS TRAVEL GUIDES.
DK CITY, COUNTRY, AND DRIVING GUIDES FEATURE EVOCATIVE PHOTOS, 3D MAPPING, AND ILLUSTRATIONS FOR KEY SITES AND TRAVEL ITINERARIES.
DK EYEWITNESS TRAVEL GUIDES, THE GUIDES THAT SHOW YOU WHAT OTHERS ONLY TELL YOU.
AND ROSETTA STONE, CHANGING THE WAY THE WORLD LEARNS LANGUAGES.
>> SAN ANTONIO IS MY FAVORITE TEXAS TOWN, AND ALTHOUGH I REMEMBER THE ALAMO, IT'S THE PEOPLE AND THE WAY THEY LOVE TO CELEBRATE THAT I NEVER FORGET.
JOIN ME ON MY SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS CINCO DE MAYO ADVENTURE.
EVERY DAY IS A FIESTA IN SAN ANTONIO, AND MUCH OF THE CELEBRATING TAKES PLACE DOWNTOWN ON THE WORLD-FAMOUS RIVER WALK ALONGSIDE THE SAN ANTONIO RIVER.
THE BEST WAY TO EXPERIENCE THE SAN ANTONIO RIVER IS TO GET ON IT, AND THE BEST WAY TO DO THAT IS TO CATCH A BARGE FROM THE RIVER WALK.
HI, DEE DEE.
>> HI, JOSEPH!
>> NICE TO SEE YOU.
>> BIENVENIDOS A SAN ANTONIO.
>> THIS IS ALWAYS ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS TO DO, GET HERE ON THE RIVER.
>> IT IS A MUST-SEE.
I WOULD SAY THE STORY OF SAN ANTONIO IS VERY SIMPLE: THE SPANISH BUILT A CHURCH BY A RIVER, AND FROM THAT THE ENTIRE CITY HAS BLOSSOMED AND GROWN, BUT OUR HEART AND SOUL IS STILL RIGHT HERE ALONG THE RIVER WALK.
>> AND WHEN DID IT BECOME "THE RIVER WALK" AS WE KNOW IT NOW?
>> YOU KNOW, A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE THAT THIS IS A NATURAL RIVER THAT RUNS ALL THE WAY SOUTH TO THE GULF OF MEXICO.
SO, IN ABOUT THE THIRTIES AND FORTIES, A BEAUTIFUL LITTLE LANDSCAPE AND ARCHWAYS AND LIMESTONE BRIDGES WERE PUT IN.
BUT IT REALLY WAS IN HEMISFAIR IN 1968 THAT THE RIVER CAME INTO ITS OWN.
WE SAY SAN ANTONIO THREW A PARTY AND THE WORLD CAME TO SEE, AND IT'S GROWN SINCE THEN.
>> WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THE SAN ANTONIO RIVER WALK IS THAT, ALTHOUGH IT CHANGES, IT ALWAYS KIND OF STAYS THE SAME, SO WHEN YOU COME BACK, YOU CAN GO TO YOUR FAVORITE PLACES.
>> YOU KNOW, YOU COME DOWN 20 FEET BELOW STREET LEVEL HERE, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU'RE UNDER THESE BEAUTIFUL HUNDRED-YEAR-OLD CYPRESS TREES.
IT'S JUST A SMALL, INTIMATE FEEL.
IT'S LIKE A WHOLE 'NOTHER WORLD AND YOU KIND OF HAVE TO WONDER, AM I IN EUROPE OR IS IT TEXAS?
AND THEN YOU REALIZE, NO, NO PLACE ELSE BUT SAN ANTONIO.
>> PURE SAN ANTONIO, THAT'S FOR SURE.
>> FOR THE LONGEST TIME, JOSEPH, THE BOATS ONLY COULD GO UP TO THE SOUTHWEST SCHOOL OF ART & CRAFT.
THE RIVER CONTINUES, OF COURSE, BUT THE RIVER WALK ITSELF NOW GOES AN ADDITIONAL 2 MILES.
AND WE'VE SORT OF HANDLED THE ROLLING TOPOGRAPHY BECAUSE, AS YOU KNOW, WE'RE RIGHT HERE AT THE EDGE OF THE TEXAS HILL COUNTRY WITH A MINIATURE VERSION OF WHAT'S AT THE PANAMA CANAL.
>> HEH HEH HEH!
OUR LOCKS, HUH?
>> THE SAN ANTONIO LOCK & DAM.
>> HERE WE ARE, AT RIVER LEVEL.
>> YES, ALL OF A SUDDEN... >> HERE WE ARE.
>> YOU'RE AT THE TOP OF THE LOCK.
HERE WE'RE SEEING DONALD LIPSKI'S F.I.S.H.
EXHIBIT.
IT'S ACTUALLY CALLED "FISH," AND THESE ARE BASED ON THE NATURAL SUNFISH THAT APPEAR IN THE SAN ANTONIO RIVER.
>> AND LATER IN THE EVENING, THEY GET LIT UP.
DEE DEE, THIS LOOKS LIKE THE END OF THE LINE FOR THE BOATS.
>> BUT YOU KNOW WHAT?
IT'S ACTUALLY JUST THE BEGINNING BECAUSE THE RIVER WALK'S GOING TO EXTEND ALL THE WAY UP PAST WITTE MUSEUM AND, OF COURSE, SOUTH TO THE SPANISH COLONIAL MISSIONS, SO KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE SAN ANTONIO RIVER WALK.
>> COME ON BACK, Y'ALL.
>> HA HA HA!
COME ON BACK, Y'ALL.
>> ONE OF THE RECENT NORTH RIVER IMPROVEMENTS IS THE NEW PEARL BREWERY COMPLEX.
THERE'S A LOT GOING ON HERE NOW IN THE PEARL, BUT WHAT WAS HERE BEFORE?
>> JOSEPH, THIS USED TO BE AN ACTUAL OPERATING BREWERY.
>> REALLY?
>> IT WAS FOUNDED IN THE LATE 1880s.
TODAY, OVER A HUNDRED YEARS LATER, WE ARE REPURPOSING THIS SITE INTO A MIXED-USE URBAN VILLAGE ON A RIVER, FUNDAMENTALLY FOCUSED ON GROUND-WORKING CULINARY EXPERIENCES.
>> HERE AT THE NEW PEARL COMPLEX, THEY ALSO HAVE A SATURDAY MARKET.
WHEREVER YOU GO, MARKETS ARE A GREAT PLACE TO MEET THE PEOPLE AND ALSO FIND OUT ABOUT THE SPECIFIC LOCAL PRODUCTS.
WE'RE HERE IN THE SPRING, AND ONE OF THE SEASONAL PRODUCTS IS STRAWBERRIES FROM ONE OF THE TOWNS NEAR SAN ANTONIO.
I'M FROM CALIFORNIA.
WE HAVE PRETTY GOOD STRAWBERRIES IN CALIFORNIA.
>> THESE ARE SWEETER, GENERALLY SWEETER.
>> GEE, WHY DO I THINK SOMEBODY FROM TEXAS WOULD ARGUE WITH ME ABOUT THAT?
NOW, YOU'RE RIGHT.
THEY ARE SWEET.
THEY'RE VERY, VERY SWEET.
THIS SEEMS LIKE A LOCAL PRODUCT, RIGHT?
>> IT IS.
>> YEAH.
IT'S GOOD.
WHEN YOU REALLY LOVE A PLACE, YOU START TO DEVELOP CERTAIN TRADITIONS ABOUT IT.
OVER THE YEARS OF VISITING SAN ANTONIO, I'VE DEVELOPED THE TRADITION THAT ON THE FIRST NIGHT OF MY VISIT, I COME TO THE ZUNI GRILL AND HAVE ONE OF THEIR FAMOUS PRICKLY PEAR MARGARITAS.
IT GETS THE TRIP OFF ON THE RIGHT FOOT.
OH!
>> HERE YOU GO, SIR.
>> BEAUTIFUL.
WHAT'S YOUR NAME?
>> NOLAN.
>> NOLAN, I KNOW THIS IS A PRICKLY PEAR MARGARITA, BUT HOW'S IT MADE?
>> WE GET THE PEARS OFF A CACTUS PLANT, SOAK THEM IN TEQUILA OVERNIGHT, AND THEN THROW THEM IN OUR MARGARITA MIX.
>> IS IT BETTER TO GET IT FROZEN OR ON THE ROCKS?
>> WELL, IN THE TEXAS HEAT, I ALWAYS RECOMMEND IT TO BE FROZEN.
>> WELL, SALUD.
>> ENJOY, SIR.
>> NOW I KNOW I'M IN SAN ANTONIO.
ANOTHER ONE OF MY SAN ANTONIO RIVER WALK "MUST" STOPS IS THE LANDING, WHERE THE JIM CULLUM JAZZ BAND IS PLAYING.
[PLAYING LIVELY JAZZ] JIM, YOU'VE BEEN HERE ON THE RIVER WALK FOR MANY, MANY YEARS.
>> LISTEN, I'VE BEEN HERE LONGER THAN ANYBODY, ANY OTHER PERSON.
>> YOU COULD HAVE BEEN ANYWHERE.
YOU COULD HAVE GONE TO NEW ORLEANS, YOU COULD HAVE DONE SOMETHING LIKE THIS ALMOST ANYWHERE.
WHY SAN ANTONIO?
>> CAN'T BEAT THIS PLACE.
>> WHY?
>> WELL, JUST LOOK HOW BEAUTIFUL IT IS.
IT'S GOT A LOT OF CHARM AND IT'S GOT ATMOSPHERE, AND THE CITY HAS BEEN HERE NOW FOR 275 YEARS, I THINK, SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
>> YOU HAVEN'T BEEN HERE THAT LONG.
>> WELL, I'M FEELING LIKE IT.
>> HA HA HA HA!
>> NO, I'VE BEEN HERE 47 YEARS ON THE RIVER WALK.
STARTED IN 1963.
>> 5 YEARS LATER, I ROLLED THROUGH HERE ON THE WAY TO CALIFORNIA, AND IT CONTINUES TO TOUCH ME AND GET ME EXCITED.
>> IT'S A SEDUCTIVE PLACE, YOU KNOW?
>> I WANT TO JUST THANK YOU FOR ALL THE MANY, MANY YEARS THAT YOU'VE GIVEN US, THE VISITORS, SO MUCH PLEASURE.
>> HEY, MAN, I'M THE ONE THAT HAS THE FUN.
>> [BOTH LAUGH] >> WHILE THE BUSY DOWNTOWN SECTION OF THE RIVER IS EASILY SEEN ON FOOT, I'M BIKING SOUTH THROUGH THE PEACEFUL SECTION OF THE SAN ANTONIO RIVER INTO A BIT OF THE CITY'S PAST.
FIRST STOP-- BREAKFAST AT THE OLD MILL.
THE GUENTHER HOUSE IS A GREAT PLACE FOR PEOPLE TO COME FOR BREAKFAST HERE IN SAN ANTONIO.
I'VE BEEN COMING HERE FOR YEARS AND YEARS, BUT HOW LONG HAS THE HOUSE BEEN HERE?
>> THE GUENTHER HOUSE HAS BEEN HERE SINCE 1859.
>> IT'S TIED IN TO THE HISTORY OF SAN ANTONIO... >> YES.
>> THROUGH MR. GUENTHER.
>> HE WAS A GERMAN IMMIGRANT, AND HE ENDED UP WORKING HERE IN TOWN AND THEN RAISING 7 CHILDREN IN THIS HOME.
>> THIS GERMAN POPULATION THAT CAME IN, THEY SETTLED NEAR HERE.
>> THEY DID, IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD.
IT'S THE KING WILLIAM NEIGHBORHOOD.
A LOT OF THESE FAMILIES LEFT FREDERICKSBURG AND CAME TO SAN ANTONIO BECAUSE OF WORK AND INDUSTRY, THINGS LIKE THAT.
>> YOU KNOW, YOU CAN'T TALK ABOUT THE GUENTHER HOUSE WITHOUT TALKING ABOUT THE FLOUR MILL.
>> THE PIONEER FLOUR MILL, WHICH IS THE OLDEST FAMILY-OWNED AND OPERATED, CONTINUOUSLY RUN FLOUR MILL IN THE UNITED STATES.
>> PEOPLE CAN PICK UP SOME OF YOUR PRODUCTS RIGHT HERE IN THE HOUSE?
>> YES, THEY CAN.
A LOT OF THE PRODUCTS THAT THE FLOUR MILL MAKES WE SELL AND SERVE IN THE GUENTHER HOUSE.
>> IF THIS BISCUIT IS AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT CAN BE MADE FROM YOUR FLOUR, IT IS AN ABSOLUTE, TOTAL WINNER.
HOW DO YOU MANAGE TO STAY SO THIN, COLLEEN?
>> WELL, IT'S A TRICK HERE, I'LL TELL YOU, AND IT'S VERY TEMPTING.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR HAVING ME FOR BREAKFAST.
>> WE'RE GLAD TO HAVE YOU.
>> GUTEN APPETITE.
>> DANKE.
>> AFTER A QUICK TOUR OF THE HISTORIC HOMES OF THE KING WILLIAM DISTRICT, I HEAD SOUTH ON THE NEW BIKE TRAIL TO SAN ANTONIO MISSIONS NATIONAL PARK.
ESTABLISHED ON THE RIVER BETWEEN 1720 AND 1731, MISSION CONCEPCION, SAN JOSE, SAN JUAN, AND ESPADA ARE STILL WELCOMING VISITORS TODAY.
I'M WITH DAVID MEYER, WHO'S A PARK GUIDE HERE AT THE SAN JOSE MISSION.
AND, DAVID, WHO WERE THE PEOPLE THAT SETTLED THIS AREA AND WHAT WAS GOING ON HERE BEFORE THEN?
>> WELL, OF COURSE, YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS NEW SPAIN, YOU KNOW, BUT AT THE TIME FRAME THAT THESE MISSIONS WERE HERE--1720 FOR MISSION SAN JOSE--THAT THE KING OF SPAIN OWNED THIS PROPERTY, AND THE PROPER USE OF COLONIZATION FOR THE SPANISH KING WAS A MISSION SYSTEM.
HERE, WITH THE HELP OF FRANCISCAN FRIARS, THEIR COLONIZATION SYSTEM WAS TO JUST RECRUIT THE LOCAL HUNTER-GATHERER PEOPLES TO COME INTO THE MISSION AND LEARN HOW TO FARM.
>> SO IS IT A COOPERATIVE, THAT THEY WERE REALLY TEACHING THEM IN ORDER TO USE THEIR SERVICES, INSTEAD OF WHAT I'VE ALWAYS CONCEIVED OF AS BEING AN OPPRESSIVE TYPE OF A SITUATION?
>> NO, NOT AT ALL.
THESE PEOPLE WERE STRESSED.
THE APACHE INDIANS WERE BOTHERING THEM, AND THE IDEA OR THE SITUATION WAS COME IN AND, OF COURSE, WITH A CONVERSION PROCESS, WE WOULD TEACH A TRADE, ALSO.
YOU CAN SEE THE WALLS, ALMOST A FORTRESS LOOK.
ONCE YOU WOULD LEARN TO BECOME A STONEMASON, YOUR LABOR WOULD PRODUCE THIS, BUT IT WOULD GIVE YOU THE PROTECTION YOU WERE LOOKING FOR.
YOU KNOW, TO BE A TRUE SPANISH CITIZEN, YOU WOULD PROBABLY BE GIVEN ANOTHER NAME.
>> SO YOU CAN GIVE ME A NAME.
>> LIKE, UH...JUAN MARTINEZ.
>> THAT SOUNDS GOOD.
>> OK, SO YOU CAN DO THAT.
NOW, THE OTHER THING YOU'VE GOT TO REMEMBER IS, WHATEVER YOUR RELIGION IS OUT HERE, DON'T TAKE IT IN THERE.
>> NO?
>> BECAUSE THE KING SAID YOU WILL BE CATHOLIC.
SO IF YOU'RE WILLING TO GIVE THOSE THINGS UP-- >> SOUNDS LIKE A TRADEOFF, BUT LET'S GO.
>> OK. >> SO, DAVID, THIS IS A REPRESENTATION OF THE DWELLINGS OF--THE PEOPLE THAT THEY WERE BRINGING INTO THE MISSION LIVED, THE WORKERS.
>> YES.
>> SO HOW MANY PEOPLE WOULD HAVE LIVED HERE IN THE MISSION?
>> THEIR GOAL WAS SOMEWHERE IN THE 200, 250, AND THAT'S WHAT YOU NEEDED, IS ENOUGH POPULATION TO DEVELOP A SPANISH SMALL TOWN.
>> SO THIS IS WHERE THE ADMINISTRATORS OF THE MISSION LIVED.
>> WELL, YES, THAT'S CORRECT.
THIS IS THE CONVENTO.
I WOULD SOMETIMES CALL IT THE HOTEL OF THE PRAIRIE.
WE ARE STANDING IN THE FIRST LEVEL, UNDERNEATH AN OUTDOOR, SECOND-STORY BALCONY.
BUT IF YOU WERE ANYONE--SAY, THE ACCOUNTANTS FOR THE KING--YOU WOULDN'T STAY OUT WITH THE LOCAL POPULATION IN THE PERIMETER WALLS.
>> NOW, IS THIS PRETTY MUCH HOW IT LOOKED BACK THEN?
>> AS FAR AS STRUCTURE, YES, BUT THESE FACILITIES, ONCE FINISHED, WOULD HAVE BEEN PLASTERED.
>> OH, REALLY?
>> AND FRESCOED, VERY ELABORATE GEOMETRIC FRESCOING HERE.
>> BEAUTIFUL.
SO HOW MANY MISSIONS ARE THERE HERE IN THE SAN ANTONIO AREA?
>> WELL, THERE IS 5 TOTAL MISSIONS HERE IN SAN ANTONIO.
>> AND ONE OF THOSE IS THE ALAMO.
>> ONE OF THEM'S THE ALAMO.
>> AND WHY DID THEY PUT IT DOWNTOWN?
IT JUST SEEMS SO STRANGE.
>> I KNOW IT.
I NOTICED THAT, TOO.
YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE REALIZATION, BECAUSE YOU SEE THIS MISSION, AND IT IS WIDE OPEN, LOTS OF OPEN SPACE.
WHAT HAPPENED THERE, OF COURSE, IS THE CITY JUST CONSUMED IT.
AS A VISITOR, IF YOU WENT DOWN THERE AND YOU'RE TRAVELING DOWNTOWN AND YOU'RE JUST "WHERE'S IT AT?"
AND FINALLY YOU FIND A LITTLE CHURCH SHRINE.
>> EACH OF THEM HAS A WORKING CHURCH AND A PARISH THAT'S ASSOCIATED WITH IT?
>> YES, THESE WERE PRIVATE PARISHES BY THE TIME OF SECULARIZATION.
THE KING GAVE THE PROPERTY BACK TO THE PEOPLES, THE CHURCH WENT TO PRIVATE PARISHES, AND WITHIN THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, EACH MISSION CHURCH IS ITS OWN SEPARATE, PRIVATE PARISH.
HERE IN MISSION SAN JOSE, AT ABOUT 12:30, THEY HAVE WHAT THEY CALL A MARIACHI MASS.
[TRADITIONAL MUSIC PLAYING] [PEOPLE SINGING ALONG INDISTINCTLY] >> THIS IS A GREAT WAY TO SEE THE MISSIONS.
THE OLD CHURCH.
>> [SINGING ENDS] >> EACH OF THE 4 MISSIONS THAT YOU CAN VISIT ON YOUR BIKE RIDE FROM DOWNTOWN SAN ANTONIO HAS ITS OWN UNIQUE ATTRACTION.
SAN JUAN HAS A NATURE TRAIL, WHERE YOU CAN WALK IN A SETTING SIMILAR TO WHAT YOU MIGHT HAVE FOUND IN THE 18th CENTURY WHEN THE MISSIONS WERE FIRST BUILT.
ON THE NATURE TRAIL, YOU'LL REACH THE ORIGINAL CHANNEL OF THE SAN ANTONIO RIVER.
LAST STOP ON THE MISSION TRAIL, MISSION ESPADA IS SERVED BY THE FRANCISCAN FATHERS, AS IT WAS MORE THAN 200 YEARS AGO.
ALONG THE TRAIL, THERE ARE MANY FINE EXAMPLES OF MISSION ART.
IN TOWN, ON THE RIVER, THE SAN ANTONIO MUSEUM'S ROCKEFELLER CENTER FOR LATIN AMERICAN ART HOUSES ONE OF THE COUNTRY'S FINEST COLLECTIONS.
>> HOW DID THE SPANISH USE ART TO BRING IN THE NATIVE PEOPLE INTO THE CATHOLIC FAITH AND INTO THE SPANISH CIRCLE OF INFLUENCE?
>> MANY OF THE FRANCISCANS WHO PROSELYTIZED THIS AREA USED A STATUARY AND PAINTINGS IN A DIDACTIC WAY.
TO TELL THE STORY, FOR EXAMPLE, OF THE CRUCIFIXION, IN THIS CASE, THE PASSION INVOLVED IS REFLECTED HERE.
THESE ARE AIDS THAT HAVE BEEN USED FOR MILLENNIA.
THROUGHOUT THE COLONIAL PERIOD, ART WAS CHANGING TO BETTER SUIT CERTAIN AREAS, AND WE HAVE A GOOD ILLUSTRATION OF THAT.
IT'S A PAINTING OF THE PATRON SAINT OF MADRID, SAN YSIDRO LABRADOR.
>> HE'S NOT DRESSED LIKE HE'S IN SPAIN.
>> NO, HE'S NOT, AND THAT'S THE MAGIC OF IT ALL.
LOCAL MISSIONARIES SAID, "LOOK, LET'S TRY TO MAKE HIM MORE RELEVANT TO LOCAL PEOPLE," SO YOU SEE SAN YSIDRO DRESSED AS A HACIENDA OWNER FROM BOLIVIA.
THIS IS THE CONSTANT TRANSFORMATION THAT ART GOES THROUGH ALL OVER THE WORLD.
>> SAN ANTONIO IS A CITY OF ART, WHERE YOU CAN FIND EVERYTHING FROM THE CLASSICAL TO THE UNUSUAL.
THIS IS PROBABLY THE ONLY TOILET SEAT MUSEUM IN THE WORLD, ISN'T IT?
>> AS FAR AS I KNOW.
HA HA HA!
>> WHERE DO YOU KEEP--WHAT WAS THE FIRST ONE?
HOW DID YOU GET STARTED?
>> WELL, MY DAD AND I WOULD GO HUNTING, AND I PICKED UP A TOILET SEAT ONE DAY TO MOUNT MY ANTLERS ON, AND THAT'S THE WAY IT STARTED 45 YEARS AGO.
>> HOW MANY TOILET SEATS ARE THERE?
>> I'VE GOT ALMOST A THOUSAND.
I'VE ALREADY NUMBERED ONE AT 1,0002, BUT IT'S THE GEOCACHING ONE.
>> YOU'VE CREATED ART HERE.
THIS IS FOLK ART.
YOU HAVE EVERYTHING FROM RELIGIOUS TOILET SEATS, YOU HAVE SPORTS FIGURES, SHOWS.
YOU'VE BEEN ON A NUMBER OF SHOWS.
>> YES, LOTS OF HISTORY.
I'VE GOT A PIECE OF SADDAM HUSSEIN'S TOILET OUT OF BAGHDAD A NAVY COMMANDER GAVE ME.
>> BARNEY, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR HAVING US HERE, AND YOU KNOW WHAT THIS SHOWS ME?
IS THAT YOU CAN MAKE ART OUT OF ANYTHING.
>> THAT'S TRUE.
YOU MAY BE A-SITTING RIGHT ON TOP OF IT.
>> HA HA HA!
IN SAN ANTONIO, CREATIVE EXPRESSION TAKES MANY FORMS.
AT THE LODGE RESTAURANT, THE MEDIUM IS FOOD.
THIS WAS ACTUALLY A HOME, SO WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO DO HERE IN THE RESTAURANT TO STILL EXUDE THAT HOME FEEL?
>> OUR CONCEPT IS FARM TO TABLE.
WE LET THE INGREDIENTS AND THE GREAT QUALITY OF FOOD WE PROCURE COME OUT IN ALL OF OUR DISHES.
>> WELL, I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO DINNER.
>> SO AM I, ACTUALLY.
>> WELL, THANK YOU FOR INVITING ME.
>> CHEERS.
>> CODE FIRE, 5 TARTS, ONE CHOCOLATE, YEAH?
>> PERFECT.
ONE OF OUR SIGNATURE STARTER COURSES.
THIS IS A PAN-SEARED, PERFECTLY SEASONED DIVER SEA SCALLOP OUT OF THE SEA OF CORTEZ.
IT'S GOING TO BE SERVED OVER A LITTLE TOASTED BRIOCHE.
>> THAT IS LUSCIOUS.
THAT IS REALLY LUSCIOUS.
WOW.
THIS IS A GOOD START.
>> YELLOW TOMATO SALAD DOWN AT TABLE 22.
>> IT'S GOING TO BE REFRESHING.
IT'S GOING TO GO WELL WITH OUR CHARDONNAY.
>> FARMER'S MARKET HEIRLOOM TOMATOES.
CANDY CANES, TIGER STRIPES, LITTLE CUCUMBER CREPE RELISH, AND SOME FABULOUS MICROGREENS.
>> MMM, WHAT A NICE COMBINATION OF FLAVORS.
>> SOMETIMES LESS IS MORE.
>> EXACTLY.
>> GOOD-LOOKING LAMB, JOJO.
AND WE SAVE ONE OF OUR BEST DISHES TILL THE END.
IT'S GOING TO BE A SOUS VIDE RACK OF LAMB WITH A SPRING FRICASSEE.
IT'S DRESSED GENTLY WITH A VERMOUTH LAMB AU JUS.
>> OOH!
WOW, LET'S GET INTO THIS.
>> AGAIN, THE SOUS VIDE'S GOING TO GIVE IT A PERFECT MEDIUM-RARE TO MEDIUM.
IT'S GOING TO BE A VERY TENDER... >> MM-HMM!
OH, IT'S WONDERFUL.
>> GOD BLESS TEXAS, RIGHT?
>> GOD BLESS TEXAS.
THIS IS REALLY HIGH-QUALITY FOOD THAT-- I DON'T KNOW IF PEOPLE CONSIDER SAN ANTONIO TO BE A DINING MECCA OF THE UNITED STATES.
>> SAN ANTONIO HAS GOT A HANDFUL OF FANTASTIC CHEFS THAT ARE REALLY PUTTING US ON THE MAP, AS FAR AS CULINARY CUISINE.
>> IT'S NOT JUST BARBECUE ANYMORE.
>> YOU KNOW, AND WE'RE NOT ALL JUST COWBOYS HERE IN SAN ANTONIO, AND WE'RE ACTUALLY BRINGING IN A NEW, YOUNGER CROWD THAT'S LOOKING TO EXPLORE THEIR PALATES AND TRY OUT ALL THESE NEW DISHES.
>> I'M GLAD THEY'RE COMING.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR HOSPITALITY AND THANK YOU FOR INVITING US.
>> YOU'RE ALWAYS WELCOME HERE TO THE LODGE.
>> FOOD IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE SAN ANTONIO EXPERIENCE, SO I THOUGHT I'D DIVE RIGHT INTO IT.
I MEAN, THERE'S ONE THING TO TASTE THE FOOD, BUT IT'S SOMETHING ELSE TO MAKE IT.
AND I'M WITH HELEN HERE, THE OWNER OF TACO TACO.
IT'S A FAMOUS PLACE HERE IN SAN ANTONIO.
YOU'RE GOING TO TEACH ME HOW TO MAKE THE BEST TACOS-- >> IN AMERICA.
>> IN AMERICA.
>> IT'S SO NICE, THEY NAMED IT TWICE.
>> IT'S SO NICE, THEY NAMED IT TWICE.
OK. >> FIRST YOU START TO THE TOP AND THEN TO THE BOTTOM.
>> OK, GOOD.
IS THAT GOOD?
>> YES, VERY GOOD.
>> HERE WE GO.
WE'LL FLIP IT.
>> YOU HAVE TO TURN IT ONLY ONE TIME.
>> ONLY ONE TIME?
OH.
>> THE FLUFFINESS GOES AWAY.
>> WHICH IS NICE... >> VERY NICE.
>> BECAUSE IT MAKES THEM NICE AND SOFT AND-- >> SOFT SO WHEN YOU PUT THE INGREDIENTS IN IT, THE EGGS-- >> OK, LET'S GO DO SOME INGREDIENTS.
>> OK. WE START WITH FRESH EGGS, FRESH TOMATOES, JALAPENOS, AND ONIONS.
>> OK, I CAN DO THAT.
[HUMS] HERE COME THE CHIPS, MY FAVORITE PART OF CHILAQUILES.
>> ANOTHER PERFECT.
>> PERFECT.
HERE WE GO.
>> OH, THAT'S GOOD, EH?
>> THESE ARE THE BEST TACOS I'VE HAD IN AMERICA.
I'LL AGREE WITH THAT.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
>> GRACIAS.
>> GRACIAS.
>> WE'RE HERE FOR CINCO DE MAYO, BUT IN SAN ANTONIO, PEOPLE LOVE TO PARTY, SO EVERY WEEKEND HERE AT MARKET SQUARE, THERE'S MUSIC AND THERE'S FOOD, PARTICULARLY ON THE FIRST SATURDAY OF EVERY MONTH, PRIMER SABADO.
THERE'S MANY, MANY MORE FOOD BOOTHS AND MUSIC ALL OVER THE PLACE.
YOU'LL ALSO GET TO TASTE A LOT OF THE TRADITIONAL FOODS HERE, LIKE GORDITA, WHICH IS A THICK TORTILLA THAT'S GRILLED AND THEN FRIED SO IT PUFFS UP FOR FILLING WITH CHICHARRONES--PORK SKINS OR BEEF OR CHICKEN--AND AGUA FRESCAS, A TRADITIONAL MEXICAN DRINK.
LOOK AT THE SIZE OF THAT.
>> HA HA HA!
>> AT MI TIERRA, THE CELEBRATION GOES ON 24 HOURS A DAY AND HAS BEEN DOING SO SINCE 1941.
[FESTIVE MUSIC PLAYING] MI TIERRA IS AN ICON HERE IN SAN ANTONIO IN THE MIDDLE OF MARKET SQUARE, WHICH HAS BEEN HERE FOR A HUNDRED YEARS?
>> OVER A HUNDRED YEARS.
IT WAS A PUBLIC MARKET, YOU KNOW, WITH ALL THE ETHNICITIES.
IT WAS A MELTING POT FOR THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.
>> AND IF PEOPLE WANT TO CELEBRATE HERE IN SAN ANTONIO, THEY CAN DO IT HERE BECAUSE YOU NEVER CLOSE.
>> THAT'S RIGHT.
WE'RE ALWAYS HERE.
>> NOW, THIS CINCO DE MAYO CELEBRATION IS KIND OF AN INTERESTING CELEBRATION BECAUSE IT'S ALMOST MORE IMPORTANT IN THE UNITED STATES THAN IT IS IN MEXICO.
>> ACTUALLY, YOU KNOW WHAT?
>> WHAT'S THE HISTORY?
>> IT KIND OF IS.
I MEAN, IT'S ACTUALLY THE MEXICAN MILITIA WINNING THE BATTLE OVER THE FRENCH ARMY, LED BY GENERAL ZARAGOZA.
THEY WON THAT BATTLE WITH JUST MACHETES AND PICKAXES, AND THEY JUST CLOBBERED THE FRENCH.
>> IT'S BECOME A VERY CULTURAL CELEBRATION FOR MEXICAN AMERICANS.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
I MEAN, YOU KNOW, HERE, LA FAMILIA CORTEZ, OUR FAMILY, WE REALLY EMBRACE OUR CULTURE, THE TRADITIONS, PRESERVED THAT CULTURE FOR 70 YEARS.
I MEAN, WE WANT TO CONTINUE THAT FOR ANOTHER HUNDRED.
>> WELL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR HAVING ME.
MUCHAS GRACIAS.
>> YOU'RE WELCOME, JOSEPH.
THANK YOU FOR COMING.
>> AND FOR SHOWING ME SOME QUESO.
QUESO, RIGHT?
>> CHILE CON QUESO.
>> CHILE CON QUESO.
GRACIAS.
>> ENJOY.
>> NOW, I KNOW THINGS HEAT UP IN SAN ANTONIO DURING ITS FIESTA SEASON, BUT JALAPENO HOT?
AY, CHIHUAHUA.
>> LET ME HEAR IT FOR THE GREAT JOSEPH ROSENDO, EL GRINGO!
JOSEPH!
>> THIS IS GOING TO BE A HOT CINCO DE MAYO.
HERE'S A PROFESSIONAL.
I'M JUST DOING THIS FOR FUN, ALL RIGHT?
>> 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.
BEGIN!
LA COSTENA'S "FEEL THE HEAT" JALAPENO-EATING CONTEST!
[INDISTINCT].
WE HAVE THE PARAMEDICS STANDING BY, SO DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT.
OH, THAT'S [INDISTINCT].
ALL RIGHT.
>> AAH!
>> [INDISTINCT].
HOLY MOLEY!
>> I GIVE UP!
THEY'RE GOING FOR 275 JALAPENOS, AND I DIDN'T EVEN EAT ONE COMPLETELY.
>> 5, 4, 3, 2, 1!
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] >> LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PAT BERTOLETTI WON THAT.
>> OHH!
>> PAT BERTOLETTI WON THE JALAPENO-EATING CONTEST.
HOW MANY DID YOU EAT?
>> 275.
>> HA HA HA!
WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
>> CHICAGO.
>> THIS IS BLACK WIDOW THOMAS.
YOU CAME ALL THE WAY FROM WHERE?
>> FROM ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA.
>> FROM VIRGINIA?
>> YES.
>> WELL, HOW DO YOU FEEL NOW?
>> OH, NOW I'M FULL.
>> HA HA HA!
MY MOUTH WILL BE BURNING FOR A WEEK, BUT THAT'S CELEBRATING CINCO DE MAYO IN SAN ANTONIO.
[FESTIVE MUSIC PLAYING AT SAN ANTONIO'S ARNESON RIVER THEATRE, THEIR CINCO DE MAYO CELEBRATION CONTINUES WITH DANCERS OF ALL AGES SHARING AND CELEBRATING THEIR CULTURE WITH ALL OF US.
[FESTIVE MUSIC PLAYING] >> VIVA LA MEXICO.
[SPEAKING SPANISH] [INDISTINCT], LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING ME ON MY SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS ADVENTURE.
MY FIRST VISIT TO SAN ANTONIO WAS IN 1968, ON MY JOURNEY WEST FROM MY BOYHOOD HOME IN FLORIDA TO MY NEW LIFE IN CALIFORNIA.
LITTLE DID I KNOW THAT IT WOULD BE THE FIRST OF MANY VISITS, AND THAT FATE WOULD GIVE ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY GET TO KNOW THIS LOVELY TOWN AND ITS GRACIOUS PEOPLE.
SAN ANTONIO IS MY FAVORITE TEXAS TOWN.
IT HAS A SLEW OF ATTRACTIONS: THE RIVER, THE MISSIONS, THE MUSIC, THE ART, THE FOOD, YET IT'S SAN ANTONIO'S DIVERSE CULTURES AND THEIR DOWN-HOME HOSPITALITY THAT I LOVE BEST.
WHEN I KNEW I WAS RETURNING, I FELT A JOY YOU ONLY FEEL WHEN YOU'RE GOING HOME.
IN FACT, IT'S BEEN SAID THAT SAN ANTONIO IS EVERY TEXAN'S SECOND HOMETOWN.
WELL, THAT'S TRUE FOR THIS CALIFORNIAN, AND IT WON'T TAKE LONG FOR IT TO BE TRUE FOR YOU AS WELL.
TILL NEXT TIME, THIS IS JOSEPH ROSENDO REMINDING YOU OF THE WORDS OF MARK TWAIN: "TRAVEL IS FATAL TO PREJUDICE, BIGOTRY, AND NARROW-MINDEDNESS."
HAPPY TRAVELING, Y'ALL.
>> "TRAVELSCOPE" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY DK EYEWITNESS TRAVEL GUIDES.
DK CITY, COUNTRY, AND DRIVING GUIDES FEATURE EVOCATIVE PHOTOS, 3D MAPPING, AND ILLUSTRATIONS FOR KEY SITES AND TRAVEL ITINERARIES.
DK EYEWITNESS TRAVEL GUIDES, THE GUIDES THAT SHOW YOU WHAT OTHERS ONLY TELL YOU.
AND ROSETTA STONE, CHANGING THE WAY THE WORLD LEARNS LANGUAGES.
FOR A DVD OF TODAY'S SHOW, OR ANY OF JOSEPH'S "TRAVELSCOPE" ADVENTURES, CALL 888-876-3399, OR ORDER ONLINE AT TRAVELSCOPE.NET.
YOU CAN ALSO E-MAIL US AT TV@TRAVELSCOPE.NET OR WRITE US AT THE ADDRESS ON YOUR SCREEN.
>> NOW THAT WE'VE CELEBRATED IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS TOGETHER, LEARN MORE AT TRAVELSCOPE.NET, WHERE YOU CAN FOLLOW MY WORLDWIDE ADVENTURES THROUGH MY E-MAGAZINE, BLOG, AND PODCASTS.
KEEP IN TOUCH--888-876-3399, OR TV@TRAVELSCOPE.NET.
>> WHAT DO YOU SAY?
>> TOILET SEAT!
>> LOOK AT THESE THINGS.
>> [LAUGHTER] >> SMELLS HOT.
WOW.
[CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY FRIENDS OF NCI] [CAPTIONED BY THE NATIONAL CAPTIONING INSTITUTE --www.ncicap.org--]
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