b"-~ -~-a;,l). S an Antonio * River of Gold Few cities have so wisely and*Brakenridge Park which successfully utilized theirfeatures exquisite Japanese riverfronts as San Antonio.Tea Gardens The lovely River Walk, or*El Mercado, a downtown Paseo del Rio is a 21-blockfestival marketplace walkway bordered by quaint*The city's museums shops, art galleries,including McNay Art restaurants, and lush tropicalMuseum (post impressionist vegetation.Much of thepaintings), Witte Museum, walkway's distinct charm has(local and natural history), to do with the river itself.and the Museum of Art (one Wonderfully meandering,of the largest art and this unhurried stream travelsarchaeological museums in 15 miles to cross six miles ofthe southwest) city blocks!f:,Sea World of Texas * ****MRCA attendees can strollSan Antonio is a melting pot through the River Walk onof ethnic tastes.Restaurants the way to the Henry B.serving Mexican - and TexGonzalez Convention CenterMex - dishes are plentiful or hop a river barge fromthroughout the city.There is 1Hilton Palacio del Riotheir hotels.also a plethora of imported cuisine including Chinese, Spanish missionaries gaveJapanese, Vietnamese, Thai San Antonio its name inand Polynesian; the dishes of 1691.Of the missions theyIndia and the Near East; of left behind, none is moreFrance, Italy and Germany. famous than the Alamo,Gulf-fresh seafood is where 188 men died in theavailable along with name of Texasestablishments that independence.There arespecialize in nouvelle cuisine, four other mission sites onor barbeque, beef and beer. the Mission Trail, whichNew York-style delis have winds along the San Antonioeven been known to crop up River.alongside Cajun eateries with their red beans and Other attractions include:rice.(Refer to literature *The Spanish Governorsavailable at the Visitor MansionService Center for more *The King William Historicrestaurant information.) Area filled with stately mansions and victorian homes Above left:The Historic Alamo, one of the many historical sites located in San Antonio.Left:Map of San Antonio pinpointing the hotels and. airport28CATCH A RISING STAR -"