San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

I found this site through a tour guide book, officially my favorite historical site in Texas (yeah not much to choose from). It's actually part of the National Park system, which says a lot. These Franciscan missions (5 of them in total. The Alamo being one of them!) were built by the Spanish ~1700s to convert and house the natives. (They really remind me of this movie brought to life) They farmed, cooked, prayed, and held music and dance in specific areas of the mission complex. San Jose is the best preserved one.

Also, I ended up liking San Antonio more than Austin. There was more history and the down-town buildings are lovelier. I wouldn't mind living in San An at all. These are pics of San Jose:

Here are the other 3: Concepcion, San Juan, and Espada.

And here are the interiors of Espada and Concepcion; I totally thought the doors would be closed and we would only get to see the facade, so imagine my surprise opening a door to one of these interiors! Also, check out the impressive Biblical menagerie! heavy smell of incense and a water dispenser labeled 'holy water' (we rubbed some over our hands...no one was brave enough to drink it) greeted me at the door.

Oh, and a HAY-LARIOUS roadside find: