One of the many perks of having worked at The Oasis for so long was the relationships that I developed with my staff...who became my Oasis family. Millet and I worked together for numerous years. Prior to our move to San Antonio, Millet had promised she'd come to see me and I know her to be a woman of her word.
Text and direct messages flew back and forth weeks before her late September arrival. Millet has family who lived in San Francisco that retired and moved to Corpus Christi to be nearer to their children. They drove across states and by doing so, picked up Millet and brought her to Texas.
The original plan was for Millet to stay with us Thursday-Saturday. Her family had other plans. She sent a text asking if was okay to come on Friday because she and her family were going to spend Thursday night in Austin. Of course!! Lucky for me my full time working schedule had not yet started so Friday was wide open.
The Oasis staff was largely Filipino and we often had some most delicious potlucks. I hadn't had pancit since I left Arizona, so imagine my joy when we agreed to meet at Chokdee Filipino Buffet in Universal City, Texas (far, far east San Antonio). I arrived to find Millet and her family sitting at the table to my right. Although I wasn't all that hungry, the aroma wafting from the left was familiar and comforting. I had to get a plate. We visited before an hour before Millet and I jumped on the 35 (in the wrong direction) and eventually made our way home. Since Millet was due to leave early the next morning we only had a few hours to get in maximum fun, and did we.
Before heading home we made a quick stop at the store and had a short tour around the neighborhood. I showed her to her room and to my surprise she came bearing gifts! Naysia and I "ooohed" and "aaahed" over our new tokens and we were soon on our way downtown. We made it there before dark and our first stop was The Alamo. In my foolishness it didn't dawn on me that perhaps Millet may not have been interested--a lesson that I need to be cognizant of my company and their interests. Nonetheless, she appreciated the story of The Battle of the Alamo and loved that it was once a mission.
The signage for Louis Tussaud's Wax Museum caught Millet's eye so we strolled over. We agreed on the 3-Way Combo ticket that included entry into the wax museum, a 4D Moving Theatre and Ripley's Believe It or Not Odditorium. I saved a whopping $3 with the AAA discount, knocking the price down to $28/each.
Backstory: the last time I was at one was when I was about 5. I was with my dad and momma Marie in California. There was a man posed for a very long time. When he sprung to life among the wax figures I was scared beyond measure. Always trying to do anything for the ones I love, we three passed thru the turnstile and entered the wax museum. We posed with President Obama, Michael Jackson and Morgan Freeman. Detailed was the Passion of Christ. Millet held Will Smith's hand and Naysia blew up her Snap Chat story line. And lucky for me no one was hiding in the cut ready to come to life among the wax figures.
Up next, and our least favorite, was the 4D Moving Theatre. It offered low budget Disney and Pixar knock offs. Our 3D glasses sat clumsily over our glasses. The chair movements were jerky and dizzying. Every 30 seconds or so cold water spurt out in conjunction with an object moving on the screen. Luckily the movies were short and we soon moved on to the best of the three.
Growing up I loved Ripley's almost as much as I loved Encyclopedia Brittanica and the Guineas Book of World Records. The "Odditorium" was much larger than it appeared. Strange items were spread out over 18,000 square feet! We strolled thru and explored together and individually. Nearly every sense was stimulated, we learned new things and had fun! Towards the end of the museum we passed by a vortex tunnel and then backed it up to see what it was about. There was a walkway that ran about 100 feet across. Surrounding it was a revolving tunnel and there were mirrors at the center. Standing on the outside it seemed like just that. A walkway surrounded by a moving tunnel. But.........as you enter it looks as feels as though you are spinning! Naysia and I went through it several times and laughed hysterically. Yes, that's me squealing in the video below.
After all that fun finally went down to the Riverwalk. We shopped for t-shirts and postcards, took the river boat tour and had dinner at the Rainforest Cafe. It was after 11 when we got home. Not wanting the night to end, Millet and I stayed up until after 2am watching movies and eating my world-famous strawberry shortcakes.
Just a few hours later the sun was up and so were we. She had to be at the airport by 8am. We had a lovely breakfast of homemade pancakes and bacon. We talked shop, family, faith, fears and shared some laughs. I prayed thankfulness for her visit and travel mercies.
I walked Millet as close to her gate as I could get and we shared a very tearful goodbye. It wasn't until she got home that she found the token I hid in her bag :) I am blessed with such amazing friends that have become family! Who's coming next??!!!!
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