This morning we walked the entire Riverwalk. Part of it is just a magnificently landscaped walkway and part of it is lined with restaurants and shops.
Most of the restaurants have tables right along the river's edge. We took advantage of the riverside seating where we could watch the water taxis going by and the people strolling along and had lunch at The Republic of Texas restaurant (the red, white and blue umbrellas on the other side of the river).
It exists one level below street level and is quite beautiful and vibrant.
In the afternoon we toured Mission San Jose y San Miguel de Aguayo, one of the five missions established in the San Antonio river valley. The Franciscan friars' objective was to convert indigenous hunters and qatherers into Catholic, tax paying subjects of the King of Spain.
The Indians struggle for survival against European disease and raiding Lipan Apaches led them to the missions and to forfeit their culture. The Indians quarters are seen here along the inside of the exterior wall of the Mission.
Everything changed for these neophytes: diet, clothing, religion, culture - even their names. They were required to learn two new languages, Latin and Spanish, as well as new vocations.
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