A Traveler's Dream Come True
Traveling is my lifeblood. It makes my world go 'round and 'round. Sometimes the only thing sweeter than travel is...spontaneous travel. Sometimes packing your bag on a whim and not even knowing where your journey will take you, is the most exciting adventure of all.
I was fortunate enough to be chosen by Time Out New York Magazine and Booking.com to be one of their travel bloggers who will Wing It and jet out the door on a moment's notice to a destination that was unknown until about 12 hours before my departure. All I had to arm myself with was my Booking.com app and my Booking Now app. The excitement of it all thrilled me, and once I saw how incredibly easy it was to book a luxury hotel for a great price the day before my trip, any tiny feelings of uncertainty were immediately gone.
Using the Booking Now app (for travel within 48 hrs) was a piece of cake. Here I am, less than 24 hours later, in my gorgeous hotel room at the JW Mariott in downtown Austin. I chose this location because it's very close to all of the neighborhoods that make up Austin's hot and bustling music scene. I'm here to find the best, the quirkiest, the most historic, and the most authentic parts of Austin's lifeblood... music.
On the plane just a few hours after I found out I was going to Austin
The view of the Colorado River from my JW Mariott room I booked with Booking Now
So impressed with my spontaneous hotel room!
Immediately after checking in, I walked on down Congress to South Congress... or SoCo as the locals call it. I found a tiny little record shop off the main drag, called Friends Of Sound, that was only accessible by the alley and then it was even tucked around behind a building. I was mesmerized by all the vintage and used vinyl... I immediately went to the country section to see if they had any of the good stuff... did they ever?! I picked up The Best of Johnny Cash, some pre-outlaw Waylon Jennings, and some Boston for good rock n' roll measure. I starting talking to the manager and a local musician who happened to be shopping for some Miles Davis, and they gave me some great recs for some local live music. Some of it is definitely outside of my comfort zone ( which is rock, alternative, country) but I figured... when in Austin, do as the locals do.
Luckily I was able to find it!!
Inside the awesome Friends Of Sound Vinyl Shop
I'm about to head out on the town in search of some unique live music in the Live Music Capital of the World. Check back tomorrow, because I can't wait to share the vibes and rhythms of Austin with you.