Day 1: Lots of walking

First day in St. A., revisiting old haunts. The Old City is a great place for walking, and it was great fun to simply wander wherever the notion took me, from the old cemetery to the Castillo (fort), where I happened onto re-enactors doing a Spanish musket drill. There was a stop at the unique cathedral, a favorite spot for just sitting and feeling peaceful.

Then I just went down some streets I hadn't walked before. I particularly noticed the balconies, because they're so different from anything in the North. I think this architectural style is a catch-all, "Southern vernacular." I sure do like it!

For flavor, there's a sprinkling of faux-Spanish design:

Some of the streets feel very European, narrow and paved with brick.

And of course, in the evening I had to walk the Old City again: it was the last night of the holiday lighting season. They advertise one million lights, and I believe it. It's magical.