Italian Invasion

Friday was unexpectedly fun. While in downtown Nacogdoches I noticed a group of tourists walking down Main Street. Tourists tend to stand out in our small town. With their styled clothes and maps in hand, this group was especially obvious. As a self-appointed ambassador, I introduced myself and offered any help.

The group of very attractive ladies (all named Sylvia) I came across told me in broken English they were here on vacation. Soon, the rest of the party joined us. I tried telling them how to get here and there, recommending where to get the best fried fish, onion rings and sweet tea (Clear Springs Cafe), and trying to convey distance.

Before much conversation, I offered to escort them around. They didn't want to impose, but I insisted. It sounded like fun anyway. Here we were, seven Italian tourists and a guy in a wheelchair on a walking tour of historic Nacogdoches. They joked it was an "Italian Invasion." I took them along Mound Street toward the Stone Fort Museum at S.F.A. They insisted on walking instead of taking the bus.

We made it to Mound Street and the Old University Building before turning back for lunch. The meal was such fun. Our server, Marissa, was a charm. Surprisingly, they found the food spicy. The fried onion rings and catfish were a hit. I enjoyed teaching them words like tilapia and hush puppies. We did enjoy the sweet tea and plenty of laughs. As i reached for my wallet they insisted on picking up my tab. What courtesy!

We made it to Main Street, where it all began. I pointed to them how to get to the other historic sites. It was ironic that we ended up with me pointing them in the right direction. But the few hours we spent in between were a wonderful memory.