Thursday, June 26, 2014

BMT: Graduation Weekend in San Antonio

BMT Graduation, Town Pass in San Antonio, Mi Tierra at El Mercado
Visiting Mi Tierra in El Mercado.

After graduating Air Force Basic Military Training, you are offered the opportunity to explore Lackland Air Force Base and the San Antonio area with your family for a few days before you head off to Tech School—or in my case—home. Luckily for me, I was able to go off base Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and I enjoyed every moment (some people aren't able to leave the base Sunday—it's an earned privilege).

Thursday after Retreat, I got to see all of Lackland Air Force Base, visited each BX to do a little shopping, and enjoyed one amazing—and giant—ice cream cone. There was even time to sneak in a much overdue nap... what a luxury that was!

Friday after Parade, we were released to venture out to San Antonio. After visiting El Mercado and dining on the most delicious Mexican food at Mi Tierra (their bakery is insane—you must give it a shot!), we headed over to the River Walk for a few hours to take in the sights, visit the Alamo, and grab some more grub. The River Walk was unlike anything I have ever seen before, and I absolutely loved it!

Saturday, we did a little more shopping at the BX's, drove around the city, ate even more ice cream, and eventually found ourselves at Sea World. I've been to Sea World a couple times before, but riding the roller coasters in my blues was something I won't forget anytime soon.

Sunday was a treat—I got to take my family to church! The trainee church service at Lackland is something that I will always cherish. Each Sunday brought with it happiness—and occasionally tears—and my last Sunday was something I wasn't going to miss. After church, we once again drove around San Antonio, only to find that things didn't get going in Texas quite as early as we had expected. The mall and most stores were closed until noon, so I treated myself to a manicure (it was heavenly!) and a nap. Talk about a treat!

BMT Graduation, Town Pass in San Antonio
I'd been waiting 8.5 weeks for a treat like this... it was so worth it!
BMT Graduation, Town Pass in San Antonio, River Walk San Antonio
Overlooking the River Walk.
BMT Graduation, Town Pass in San Antonio, The Alamo in San Antonio
The Alamo.
BMT Graduation, Town Pass in San Antonio
Relaxing on the River Walk.
BMT Graduation, Town Pass in San Antonio
Enjoying Lackland with my mom.

San Antonio—such a beautiful city. I was very grateful for the chance to explore it over the course of my last few days at BMT!

Sunday evening, I bid my family farewell and returned to the dorms to pack my things. Unlike almost everyone else in my flight, I was headed home for a several month break before Tech School, so it wasn't a bittersweet goodbye for me... I knew I would be seeing my family again in about 12-hours. While packing and sharing stories, I was able to look back over the last 8.5 weeks with not a single regret and a huge smile on my face. Oh BMT, what an experience!

See my other Basic Military Training experiences here: I am an American Airman │ BMT: Retreat, Parade & Graduation │ BMT: Graduation Weekend in San Antonio │ BMT: PT & Top PT Award │ BMT: Highlights & Final Thoughts

16 comments:

Aunie said...

Glad you got to enjoy a weekend in San Antonio with your family! We love visiting the River Walk ;)

Aunie said...

It's too bad the time of year you went. I went to San Antonio for tech school in the winter and at Mi Tierra they have the BEST Mexican Hot Chocolate. Every! I loved San Antonio I would move back there in a heart beat if that was offered to us. The River Walk is so beautiful!

Aunie said...

It might be a really dumb question - do you have to go out in uniform or is it by choice? (Maybe it's really obvious to military families - my cousin's husband is in the British Army but we rarely see him in uniform). Congratulations on graduating!

Aunie said...

I've been loving your recaps - so glad you're back to blogging!

Aunie said...

Aww that looks so much fun! I'm so happy that your family got to see all of that! You look so great!


xoxo
Allison over at Allison's Eye

Aunie said...

You and your family look great! San Antonio is an awesome place - glad you got to explore! But all the Mexican food makes me really crave some good Mexican food and there's just about NONE on this island! Sigh :D Congrats again!

Aunie said...

It was a very, very neat experience. I wish we had something like that in Idaho!

Aunie said...

Oh man... I saw that on the menu but didn't order it. I should have!!!

Aunie said...

Hannah, it's not a dumb question at all. In fact, I wish we would have been allowed to wear our civilian clothes... what a nice break that would have been! But no, we were required to be in our dress blues unless we were at a waterpark (in which we had to be in PT gear) or in a swimsuit at a pool. So dress blues it was! :) Now we only wear them for special occasions, so that's very similar to your cousin's husband :)

Aunie said...

Thanks Tara! Hope you don't mind that I'm not around too much... but I'm trying to stay on the ball every once in a while!

Aunie said...

Thanks Allison. It was truly a pleasure to have them be able to come down for it. I'd have been so sad if they'd have missed it!

Aunie said...

Oh no... I didn't think about that. You don't have any anywhere? Good thing you're an amazing cook! I bet you could whip up a mean enchilada!! :)

Aunie said...

Oh hey Aunie, so awesome to see you posting again! CONGRATULATIONS!!! You look fantastic and so happy! Hoorrraaaayy!!!

Aunie said...

This is what I get for being away for a while. I saw the first picture and said, "huh. Aunie looks like she's in blues." And then I realized you were! (I know, my kids point out the sluggishness of my thought process sometimes.) So glad I made it back here and can't wait to catch up on things!

Aunie said...

Thanks so much... happy is just the beginning of it! :)

Aunie said...

Thanks so much, Eli! It feels great to be home (finally) but it all feels like it happened so fast. I can't believe it!

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