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SAN ANTONIO: America’s unique city By AILEEN ADAMS SAN ANTONIO, Texas â€" The brochures of San Antonio say it is one of America’s four unique cities. But, personally, I cannot imagine anything more unique than San Antonio. The city is full of complexity, history, musicality and yes, sensuality. The complexity begins with its founders. To take them alphabetically â€" the Afro-Americans, Anglo-Americans, Bel- gians, Chinese, Czech‘s, Danes. Dutch, English, French. Germans, Indians. Italians, Irish. Japanese. Jewish, Lebanese, Mexicans, Norwegians. Polish, Scots. Swedish. Swiss, Syrians and Wendish â€" The very first European settlers were 50 farmers sent out from the Canary Islands by the king of Spain. Their descendants now form the old aristocracy of San Antonio and contribute much to its color and charm and its sense of festivity. ail of Texans This is all dramatically illustrated in the Institute of Texan Culture. Here. The Four Seasons Plaza Nacional Hotel in San Antonio is built in Spanish style, around a treed courtyard. Service is superb. CONVENIENT SAME-DAY RETURN FLIGHTS FROM BUTTONVILLE AIRPORT LOCATED ONE MILE NORTH OF HIGHWAY NO. 7 AND THE DON VALLEY NO. 404 EXTENSION THE LIBERAL, Wednesday. November whom became Lib’éral FOR INFORMATION OR RESERVATIONS PHONE â€" (416) 297-3735 OR (TOLL FREE) â€" 1-800-268-5525 0/? CALL YOUR [00.41 TRA VEL AGENT Think first BROCKVILLE ELLIOT LAKE on the sprawling main floor. there are vignettes of the life and history of the settlers â€" their clothes. their stories, boots, guns. guitars, patent medicines and photographs â€" all made more vivid by guides who are dramatically in- terested in their work. There, if you tire of walking. you can just plop down on the carpeted floor, lean back on your hands and arms. stretch your legs and look up to the ceiling where a vast circular screen brings back vividly the early days of Texas. Then there is the Alamo. a vivid reminder of the violent past. We all know the battle cry, remember the Alamo, which was used as late as the last war. But the battle of the Alamo, (originally a mission) was virtually a massacre when the 188 defendants (Davy Crockett was one of them) fought and died, hopelessly outnumbered by775,900 Mexicans._ _ The institute is open from 9 am. to 5 pm. from Tuesday through Sunday and admission is free. Today. the Alamo stands serene, its bat- tered walls bleached by IN 60 MINUTES IN 80 MINUTES OF 28. 1979 the warm sun. Its surrounding park is bordered by great trees and many flowering shrubs. its silence punc- tuated only by the song of birds. But I am sure that any Texan walking here hears the sound of guns and senses the acrid smell of smoke. Although much of the fibre of San Antonio is woven with threads of the past, the city today is vibrant with life. There are so many fiestas you are almost sure to partake of one. Fiesta San Antonio is held in April; Fiesta Noche del Rio is one of several music shows schedulec during the summer months. And on St Patrick's Day, the beer and San Antonio‘s river both flow green. Sepâ€" tember is Mariachi Month when musicians stroll everywhere in the core of the city, providing toe-tingling entertain- ment. In October there is a Greek Festival and in December. many celebrations of Christ- mas. Perhaps the greatest pictorial asset of San Antonio is the Paseo del Rio. the river walk. The San Antonio river was once a hazard to the city because it overflowed its banks and only 50 years ago it was suggested that it be covered in concrete and the bed become a sewer. Fortunately for the residents, and the visitors, San Antonio was blessed with some foresighted conservat- ionists, architects and developers who created the Paseo del Rio. one of the world’s unique waterways. The river. flowing into the heart of the city, is shaped like a tea apron, the flood control lagoon forming the ties. You will stroll endlessly in the area. cross back and forth across the river over hump-backed bridges, mount stairs to the many restaurants and boutiques, or simply sit on the grass-covered tiers of the Amerson River Theatre to listen to one of the numerous free con- certs. In September, just at dusk. I sat on the grass seats to listen to a mariachi band. In these bands the sensuous beat of guitars is hightened and lightened by trum- pets. The music is fast and happy and often‘ singers and dancers add to the merry melody. The hilly 'amphitheatre seats are divided by the river. and linked by banks of begqnias. _ As dusk deepened to dark, the leafy trees were lit by the lights of restaurants and high-rise hotels. Paddle boats and tour barges slipped silently by and then, around a bend, came another festive barge in full panoply of candles and white dressed tables where a party was dining most elegantly. These dinner parties can be booked through one of the local restaurants. And on the river walk you can choose Mexican tacos to eat while strolling. Sidewalk cafes offer seafood crepes and Texas~size steaks. Overlooking the river and gourmet restaurants such WM?“ TRA VEL The conveniently located store with its own more than ample parking is just 600 feet West of Yonge Street, on the North side of Steeles Avenue. The large tastefully designed store offers an array of sought after items of both gifts and interior decor. Literally hundreds of brass and copper items for the home or office as well as Dolls, rocking Horses, Wooden Ware, Pottery, Pictures and all your Christmas needs may be found at the MAYFAlR GIFT SHOP. The parent British Mayfair Group of companies make possible a tremendous selection of British as well as European and Canadian Gift items. ‘ Specialists in select gift and decor objects in four countries, MAYFAIR GIFTS will be an instant obvious-success in the new commanding location. MAYFAIR GIFT SHOPS open their spacious new Toronto store on Friday November 30th, 1979, at 80 Steeles Avenue, West. Staffed by former managers of two of the most successful gift and jewellery retailers MAYFAIR GlFl' SHOP offers a highly personalized as well as specialized service to customers. MAYFAIR H GIFT SHOPS INC. 3 DIECQS of chlcken and generous need for servnng up a great banq INVITE YOU TO THE OPENING OF OUR NEW STORE 80 STEELES AVE. WEST, THORNHILL 889-1 176 Wind/up the season with agreit' banquet. rse tattle; chickenvjflfla as The Fig Tree and the Rhein Steakhouse. Close by, and bordering the river is La Villita. a cluster of restored adobe buildings housing working craftsmen. Further out from the river is the former Ursuline convent. now also a craft centre with active classes and an open shop. Incidentally, or maybe importantly. the very excellent cafeteria is open to visitors as well as students. and it‘s reasonable. Call your local manager for details =“ n l = a.) Weekend pining c r, 6‘ Special ‘3 V V d ‘ ‘PARKWAY ‘HOTEL y x, V IN THE OLD ENGLISH " ROAST BEEF ROOM ‘5 I Esca/oupe of Veal Romanoff \ f a Creamed Mushrooms and a q ‘ White Wine Sauce ‘3 r A or Q 0 Seafood Therm/dor £ 3" (Lobster, Shrimp and Crab W‘ _ , in Brandy Sauce) ! q ) FIN/SH THE EVENING BY ; r, A. DANCING IN THE FAMOUS A Q K/NG’S‘CLUB LOUNGE. N0 4. V COVER CHARGE Zr , d KI g}. @ ‘PARKWAY ‘HOTELSA_ :2 DINNER MENU L|\ nnllnnlfinllnnn I' l ' "S ONION SOUP OR p y CH/LLED V/CHYSO/SSE \v’ «\4. v6. ore manage CHEESE CAKE 0/? HOTAPPLE STRUDEL AND ICE CREAM COFFEE at Kentuck HIGHWAY NO‘ 7 Er LESLIE ST _ TELEPHONE 881-2121 $125.3. SALAD BAR Accommodation in San Antonio ranges from campsites and motels to luxury hotels. One of the most beautiful of these is the Four Seasons Plaza Nacional. a member of the Canadian Four Seasons chain. The Plaza is built in Spanish style, around a [reed courtyard with many fountains. Service is superb. San Antonio is so varied, so full of life’s pleasures. it would take a book to do it justice. But in true San Antonio style, PER PERSON ,fi “I you can have all your queries answered by writing Patricia O'Connell, International Relations Manager, San Antonio Convention and Visitors Bureau. PO. Box 2277, San Antonio, Texas 78298. Breakfast at McDonald’s then take a Travelways SkiBus for a full day’s skiing at one of Ontario’s finest resorts. Bring the whole family or get together with a bunch of friends. No reservations necessaryâ€"buy your tickets right on the bus! SkiBus departs every Saturday and Sunday morning from December 1, 1979 to March 30, 1980: THORNHILL MCDONALD'S RICHMOND HILL MCDONALD’S AURORA MCDONALD'S NEWMARKET MCDONALD'S Travelways also operates a daily SkiBus service to Horseshoe Valley, Mount St. Louis, Medonte and Blue Mountain from convenient pick-up points around Toronto. There are also exciting weekend and 9»day packages to Mont Sutton, Quebec and Jay Peak, Vermontâ€"call for details. 1V \ Half/SESHOE VALLEY FLORIDA CIRCLE TOUR FOR 28 DAYS Ayofyafiéfia’iwm entuck 5551 was?“ INCLUDES: '6qu and Ocean visits, all accommodations. full escort mroughout tour. Optional side trips: Disney World. Marine Land. Busch Gardens. and much, much more for 28 fun filled days. 10 Kennedy R. N., Brampton L6V 1X41 For ThornhilIIRichmdnd Hill information, call (416) 298-0663. For AuroraINewmarket information, call (416) 895-6681. Transportafion by deluxe Goodchicken! PARKIN‘SON TOURS DEPARTS FEBRUARY 1 5 FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 451-4776 6?: Buffet Luncheon 5% $36! HOUSE OF LORDS RESTAURANT departs 7:30 am departs 8:00 am departs 8:15:31“ departs 8:30 am OR WRITE W-R A‘C Motor Coach Colonel Sanders For 1% Only AT THE '16 alpine/‘1 0 cross country '16 alpine/'10 cross country ’1 5 alpine/’9 cross country ’1 5 alpine/‘9 cross country $365