Boy, oh boy...did I do Dallas! I didn't do the main touristy things, but filled my two days with delightful experiences! It is really no surprise to me that when I got home today, I went straight to bed and slept most of the day. Much needed sleep and since our weather is dark and cold. It wasn't a bad way to spend the day at all. Now I'm snuggled up, in my thick flannel gown and having dinner of pizza and Pepsi, not healthy, but perfect today.
Has it really just been two days since my trip began? I arrived at the dallas airport without any problems. The place I arrived was under construction so it wasn't quite as convenient as it should have been. Eventually the rental car van arrived to take everyone to the rental car center. Luckily the line wasn't too long at the place I was using. I still had hope I would make the first play of the day. the young man who helped me was very kind and patient. I was quite nervous about my rental car adventure, felt much safer when others drive.
I was prepared, I had my new GPS with me, and had programmed in all the addresses. AND since I've not used it before, I also had backup plans, each destination had been mapped on mapquest and I'd printed out all the directions too. the man working with me saw my discomfort over driving in a new city in a different car. He disappeared for a bit and returned with a key to an SUV for me, a very nice upgrade!
I always purchase the loss damage waiver. Most people do not, in fact I know of no one who does. It's expensive, $29 a day for a car that was $17 a day. Why would I do that? Well, there are things I think people don't know about. I know it because of my serious accident long ago. Usually your auto insurance covers you in a rental car. In the past that might have been fine, but now that you can be dropped for making a claim or having an accident, or rates can go sky high. I think that is ridiculous, but it is the way it is. So do you really want to make a claim on your personal insurance if something happens to the rental car? The other fine print fact that is little known, your private insurance doesn't cover the cost you will be charged for the days the car is out of service while any repairs are being made. Now you might be thinking, "well I've never been in an accident" and hopefully you never will be...but that is what I said before I'd had mine too! If anything happens to the rental car, you walk away with no additional expense. Small price to pay in the long run, really, believe me.
So back to my big 'mini' adventure...
Settled into my new SUV, I headed out to tackle the Ft. Worth freeways. The gps worked great and so along with the typed directions next to me, 'we' made it to the hotel my cousin had reserved for me that was a few minutes from the theaters. All the hotels had been booked near town due to a big football game and a couple of conferences, so when my cousin found rooms it was a lucky thing. At the time I didn't stop to wonder why there were rooms available. As I got closer and closer, I got a little worried, I wasn't in the best area, in fact it didn't feel safe at all. When I drove up I was quite sure I did not want to spend the night there. The staff was so nice but when I was hauling my things in, up the stairs and tripping on the uneven floors that seemed to bend as I walked on them, I was even more sure. Many other things played into my decision too. I was late and my cousins play started in a few minutes. I quickly changed, stuffed my clothes into my suitcase, not even getting it to close all the way and called my cousin who lives outside of Dallas. I told her I didn't feel safe at all and asked if I could stay with her. I was going to do that to begin with, but my other cousin wanted me at the hotel close to her whole family, so I'd said I would stay with them. I decided I needed to be comfortable that night and that wasn't going to happen there. Not in a room alone. so I rushed down, hauling my things and packed the car and headed out to the first theaters.
More freeways but with only one wrong turn I found the theater and there was not one parking place! I was already 15 minutes late. I parked in a staff place and went in and the man at the box office told me I could park along the drive in the front. I rushed out, reparked and rushed in and was taken to my seat. And there I was, the only single person in the theater. Of course everyone had children, it was Dora, the Explorer. The little ones were glued to the stage and I saw a look or two from parents wondering what this lady was doing all alone. Right when I sat down Dora called out Diego and out came my cousin, I hadn't missed a minute of his performance...perfect timing! He is adorable, and not just because he is my cousin. The role was quite different than the last one, he had been in a lead role in 'Fiddler on the Roof' in Woodstock. But now all the little ones were calling out to him and I have to admit that smile on my face was because watching him was so much fun, but it was also fun watching all the little faces glued to the stage. He was a hit! There was an intermission and I started talking to some of the adults around me, thought it was best to share that I was there only because my cousin was in the play. It was so funny how many people were so impressed. Cute. Act 2 started and it was action packed, if you were about 3 or 4, oh, how the kids loved the show! The show ended a bit late and I didn't have much time, my other cousin's show started in 45 minutes at a theater a few miles away and of course, i had no idea if and when i would get there. I waited in the lobby until the actors came out and as my cousin was posing for pictures with the little ones I approached from behind to give him a hug before I left. Yes, I guess I did cut in line, but I had a good reason, not much time! I'm so proud of him, what an entertainer he is!
Then I was off to play #2! There were a lot of turns but it did only take about 10 minutes and I arrived and very luckily found a parking place right across the street. Whew! Tired yet? I sure was by this point!
I walked in just before the doors opened to be seated. I didn't know what to expect but at least I knew it was an adult show. My aunt and uncle arrived and we all had seats together. That was so lucky! I love when I get to be with my daddy's family, it makes me feel close to him. The play was hilarious! My cousin was incredible as one of the main characters and I laughed for over two hours! What a delightful, energizing experience! Too bad I don't live there, I would go once a week for the laughter! And to watch my cousin was a real treat, he is very good. The role was quite different than the pirate he played in the last play I saw him in, so that was fun too.
After the play we went to dinner at a wonderful Italian restaurant near that theater. Lovely evening. After dinner he headed back for his night performance and I headed to the Mexican restaurant where all my other cousins were meeting. That was a lively group and as always, it is fun to see the cousins I was raised with, and their kids. After that dinner it was time to go home, and even though my cousin at the hotel really wanted me there, I picked my other cousins house where I knew I would get a good nights sleep. But there was a big thunderstorm by that time...big! So my cousins husband drove my rental car to his house and it was a good thing. The torrential rains were frightening, lightening that lit up the sky. The drive was very long, on many freeways and I was so relieved to pull up at their house over an hour after leaving the restaurant.
Lexi, their absolutely adorable golden doodle greeted me at the door. Now she greets everyone, but I'm quite sure she remembers me because the first toy she brought to me was the remains of one I'd taken her when I was there a couple of months ago. So cute! And I do mean remains. As my cousins husband sai, the octopus is no longer an octopus, but a tritopus...yes there are only three tentacles left and they are barely hanging on.
What a day! Finally day one was over and I got a great nights sleep in the nice, quiet, cool bedroom! Sweet dreams!
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