Austin

I am grad school shopping this week. Hitting Austin and Toronto, very different cities with very different programs. Austin was my fist stop and I am impressed. I came into the city with the head cold from hell and am coming out with a clear mind and good impression, I hope that my future plans with University of Austin come through. Austin has a north west feel, but with a man made water way. There is the feeling of Seattle when it first started growing. Strangers here are amazing too, I have never had so many random people say hello or compliment me. Maybe the city was on its best behavior for my visit, but I am crushing. It may not be the most metropolis, but there is culture down here and good salsa!
I hear Austin is not like any other place in Texas, so don't judge it by its cover. I know I did and was pleasantly surprised. Austin is the heart of the state in more ways than one.

I promised to give word of mouth about Big Bertha's. The best vintage in Austin. I found the ultimate Keith Haring top, black with strips of the barking dog fringing off of the shirt made in the 80's, and 2 other jackets. Not only did the owner give me a HUGE deal (pretty much giving away 2 items), he was also the best character I met in Austin.
It is work to get down to Bertha's, but worth the effort just to talk with the owner and to look among the vintage Victor and Rolf and Isaak Mizrahi. He weeds out all the tacky crap and only sells the good finds, which makes the hunt easy. Whether truth or fable, you will get a great story with your receipt.
I can see myself being part of the weirdness here, and adding to it in a positive way.