ACL 2008: The Long Walk Home

Day one of ACL 2008 was a long one, but it was jam-packed with sights, sounds and highlights. As usual, the long walk up Barton Springs to the park is a party in itself, featuring a variety of pit-stops that tempt and delight (in between tripping and annoying). There's plenty of distractions to choose from, and in some ways, the walk is a party in itself. Though we did run into more than a few anxious folks looking to buy our tickets before we even made it in a noon today, and more than one person who wanted to show us where Jesus would be making an appearance later, we did check out a couple of things we want to tell you about.

We can without reservation recommend stopping by the Kababalicious truck parked on the south side of the street near Flipnotics. The truck, which is usually downtown, makes delicious Turkish-style gyros and other treats, and they take cards! Right nearby is a worth-browsing vintage clothing tent (out of towner? looking for boots? there you go.), and dozens of free-standing shops, water bottle "vendors" and more.

Feeling guilty about skipping the debate to stay for Manu Chao? Keep your eyes peeled when heading west on Barton Springs towards the entrance tomorrow: there are several folks standing by waiting to help you register to vote. Once, we stopped and browsed homemade jewelry with some hippies, but the last thing we remember is trying on a giant wooden ankle bracelet and a rhinestone toe ring. Heard the phrase "Never follow a hippie to a second location?" We can verify: sound advice.

Other than that, the festival organizers have done a bang-up job on offering Friday afternoon fest-virgins some help. There are dozens of folks holding "Ask Me" signs scattered around the entrance. They all have maps on them, and they know the answers to just about anything you need to know. We printed our own map before leaving the house, but you know ... after locating the Nalgene bottle and checking the weather, we forgot it. There are free programs as well, but only one per person, so if Saturday is your day one at the fest, be sure to hang on to yours once inside.

As usual, you'll be parking far away or walking from a bus stop towards the fest, and that walk can be long, hot and obnoxious (especially if you're running late to catch a set), but do stop and take in the locals who are making the annual pilgrimage an interesting one. Hell, someone's got to keep it weird while the rest of us sip Tito's and Sweet Leaf out of bio-degradable cornstarch-based cups.

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