SXSW: Arrival, Or Let's See How Fast We Can Get Police Involved

Dateline: Austin, Wednesday March 14, 9:30 AM.

At least we're here.

After what was colossally painful day of traveling, we are finally here. This is after the flight to Houston where, in a rainstorm, we came within a few hundred feet of the ground before launching back up into the air to circle the airport again for almost another hour (apparently we were within seconds of landing before the pilot decided it wasn't safe). We finally landed to find out that another plane had taken our spot, so we sat. And sat.

And sat.

Upon final release from the plane, we had to run across the airport, catch a train to another terminal, and run to catch our Austin connection. We got there, and were impatiently ushered aboard, because they were "waiting for us". I felt a little self-conscious about holding the plane up, so I took my seat.

And sat.

An hour later, after sitting on the plane (with the pilot offering a different excuse every 20 minutes; it switched from waiting for more connectors like me to us not being able to take off in a rainstorm) we were finally able to take the final jump to Austin, where we were one of the last flights to arrive at the airport, and the line for the rental car was a mile long.

Now to the point of this post, which is surprisingly not to complain about the travel: from the moment you arrive at Austin for SXSW, there is so much energy! Even, as exhausted as we and all of the other late nighters at the airport were, there was an excitement and energy. There were countless bands and musicians flying in at this hour, hauling equipment onto rental vans, and tiredly heading out. It was like a load-in at the world's largest concert hall.

That excitement over, though, the exhaustion took over. Driving out in search of a hotel and some 2 AM food nearly turned bad when my unfamiliarity with the city lead to my being pulled over. Fortunately the Austin police were friendly and helpful, even giving me directions to the well-concealed hotel.

Now, somewhat rested, I am setting out into the city, to figure this place out and to hopefully find some music.

The next post should be more music-related, provided the police don't get involved again.