By Marks Moore, courtesy San Antonio
My first visit to San Antonio came at the tender age of 8, when I visited the city with my parents and my younger brother. At the time, I was enchanted by the River Walk, the Alamo and the colorful culture that seemed a world away from my Kentucky home.
After touring downtown on a boat ride on the San Antonio River, I told my parents that San Antonio was my favorite place in the world.
Years later, when I returned as a professional travel journalist, I was thrilled to find that San Antonio’s charms still lived up to my childhood memories. Sure, the Alamo looks a lot smaller to me now than it did when I was a half-pint, but the story of what happened there is just as inspirational.
And the River Walk proved every bit as vibrant and beautiful as the day I first saw it.
Visiting as an adult, I came to realize that the things I love about San Antonio — the colors, the architecture, the food — are largely results of the area’s strong Mexican influence. Understanding the cultural background of the area now makes a trip to San Antonio even more rewarding.
And I’m happy to report that this city still has a special place in my heart.
