Austin

After San Antonio we set course for the state capital of Austin. It's a medium size town in America, which would make it the biggest in Norway by far... It's a happening city with lots of music (especially blues) and arts and theaters and exhibits and whatnot everywhere. We only had time to do a tour of the State Capitol and stuff face at a local sandwich shop.

The State Capitol is actually bigger than the federal one in Washington DC - as you probably know, everything's bigger in Texas. The building, incredibly was not paid for by money - of which the then Texan government had precious little - but by barter. The builders got vast tracts of land in the Texas Panhandle and the Capitol was built.

All pics here.

Purdy building. Built in an imposing, Italian style the building is actually a shrine to democracy - you can go in and walk about anywhere you like. You can even schedule time with the Governor.


The rotunda inside.


The state Senate room. Senators may speak as long as they wish, the floor is slanted 10 degrees so the audience may better hear what's being said, and the seats in the public gallery are handed out on a first come first served basis.


Sam Houston, first president of the Republic of Texas, which was an independent country 1836-45. He served as governor at the beginning of the Civil War, but refused to support the Confederacy and resigned.


Stephen Austin, commonly known as "the father of Texas" was instrumental in bringing in hordes of American settlers to the then Mexican territory.


The building has been electrified since its completion in 1888. As you will notice, the lightbulbs spell out "Texas"...