Keeping up With the Southern Jazz

Text and Photos: Apurba Jahangir

The first thing you will notice after landing in Austin- Bergstrom International Airport is it's appreciation for music, American football, and bicycles. When the luggage pick up stand is fully decorated with monuments of famous guitars, you know you're up for a very melodic experience in this southern city. From the famous Willie Nelson, Lance Armstrong, the southern blues hub to the Austin City Limits (The first ever live music show for television), the famous 6th Street and the Legendary Long Horns – this town offers the most amazing and equally weird experience for tourists. They say, “Keep Austin Weird”, and from my experience, I know exactly why.
On December 22, 2015 I reached Austin in search of a 15-day-break from all the hustle and bustle of life.  After an almost 24-hour-journey, Austin welcomed me with arms wide open, playing the famous song  'American Dream', by none other then Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan, in the airport. I headed straight for my home for the next 15 days, the Good All Wooten Dorm.

Located in Guadeloupe Street, right opposite to the University of Austin, I had the privilege of seeing the southern student lifestyle. The street proudly represents Austinites' love for their football team the Long Horns. Everything and anything that exists have a Long Horn version in the university store. Austinites’ love for art also reflects not only on the Guadeloupe Street but all over Austin. All the corners of the walls are covered with wall paintings – from Andy Warhol's pop-art, to Salvador Dali's surrealism. To take in this beauty, there were bicycles around for rent.

After a long night's rest, my adventures first took me to Mellow Johnny's Bike Shop. For the famous Lance Armstrong, the city is known for its bicycle shops. It is a must see for bicycle enthusiasts or anyone who visits Austin. Mellow Johnny's was not only a store but a gallery of famous bicycles. From the first carbon made bicycle to race Tour de France to showcasing the prototypes of future bikes, they showcased it all.  More of a museum tour, Mellow Johnny's kept me busy for a whole day. After the sun came down, my destination was the famous 6th Street; the musical side of Austin.

Like our very own Banani 11, 6th Street goes in a straight line for three kilometres. On entering the street one will hear different genres of live music from different pubs and restaurants. As musicians will put it, every corner of the street had its own bass line.

Every place had its own theme. From playing classic Sinatra's to covering Ed Sheeran's top charts, the street serves the best Austin Pizza's, Papa John's to Di Aumle; serving the best ingredient to go with the music. The mesmerising stroll took me to the end of the street and towards Austin Lake.

The fifteen days went in the blink of an eye and they all had different stories. Whatever they were, these places were tied with them. These hubs and their people are the reason Austin is and forever will be weirdly astonishing.