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Thursday, May 22, 2014

11 Totally True New Braunfels Facts every Newcomer Should Know

1- We use certain code words in lieu of street names. People are going to give you directions that sound like they’re sending you on a scavenger hunt.  Wherever you’re going, it’s either “outside the loop,” or "around-a-Roundabout." (It's actually called "the Plaza," or "the Square.") Whether you use your GPS or ask the Gas Station clerk, getting around New Braunfels is actually pretty simple but the guidance will be totally different. So do a little bit of both to get familiar with the map.
2- We hunker down on Rainy Days.  We shut it down at the sight of rain clouds.  Patios are closed for dining and we are bundled up, wearing galoshes, checking on each other by phone like it’s a North American Blizzard.  If it really starts to pour, we'll venture out only so we can drive by our friends houses to make sure they're not floating down the river.
3- We love “the River.”  and by that we mean 2 rivers, the Guadalupe and the Comal.  New Braunfels Residents will spend every-day-all-day floating it, sitting beside it and eating along it.  As long as it’s not raining, we are at “the River.” If you're not sure where to start, ask someone where the Tube Chute or the Float In is, and you'll get pointed in the right direction.
4- Canyon Lake and New Braunfels are neighboring Cities, but the two are not to be confused.  There is a fine line between Canyon Lake and New Braunfels, we will cross it, but only when we know where we’re going. We’ll drink with reckless abandon all night long listening to live music at Whitewater Amphitheater but we're careful not to stray from the beaten path so as not to get lost in the many roads winding in different ways.
5- There is a man that plays a paper guitar during peak times at Popular Intersections. Wave, that’s “Rockin’ Ronnie,” and he’s somewhat of a local celebrity. He will tell you so himself.  He’ll also tell you, “it’s all I want to do. All I want to do is ROCK!” 
6- We love us some Wassail Come Christmastime, all of the offices and businesses downtown go outside. To serve hot spiced cider as part of a friendly competition for “Best Wassail.”  There are also street vendors and entertainment, and every single person in New Braunfels sipping out of sample-size cups.  Think Macy’s Day Parade in NYC. We all choose our favorite Wassail recipe like floats on the parade and at by the end of the night we’ve cast our vote.  The winner is announced shortly thereafter and they will hang that plaque along with their professional licenses and college degrees, forever.
7- There’s only one way to say Gruene. It’s spelled funny but it’s actually pronounced Green, like the color. Hence the play on the name, all throughout our little historic district. You’ll be Gruene with Envy until you go to Gruene Cricket and then spend the night at the Gruene Apple B&B.  Along the River. 
8- You can get to know people by joining a Club... But not in the book-club sort of a way.  If you’re invited to the Gruene Friday Afternoon Club think Happy Hour.
9- Our Downtown consists of a 4 block radius.  It’s an itty-bity city, busy with Business People and Government Buildings alongside tourists and shoppers by day, and alive with friendly spirited bars and restaurants at night.  Don’t plan to catch a cab home because they are a rare sighting in this downtown and if you call for one you’ll be waiting for a while.  Not to worry, by then you’ll have made a few friends and one of them can probably give you a ride. We’re that nice. 
10- We Salute Sausage! For 10 days annually at Wurstfest.  Beer, Polka, Accordian-players playing Bon Jonvi and Beer. Did I mention Beer?
11- Schlitterbahn is our Beach! People flock from around the world to see one of the most innovative water parks in the industry.  Locals appreciate the free parking, free inner tubes and the food and drink policy that actually allows park-goers to bring in their own Lunches and Snacks. We’ll pack up and make a day out of it at least once a weekend from the time it opens until it closes. If you plan to meet a friend there, keep in mind that Schlitterbahn is as sprawling as Miami Beach, it’s actually bisected by a residential neighborhood and City Park.  So be specific about your meeting place. 

12- It's New Braunfels, Not New Braunsfels!



New Braunfels is a beautiful combination of old and new, full of honest-to-goodness people and rich with culture.  With a community this committed to upholding it's values as it grows, It's perfectly poised to maintain all the qualities that are driving people to relocate to our sweet town.  Willkommen/Welcome!


1 comment:

  1. Ausländer! No on in NB calls it a "Roundabout". It's "The Plaza".

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