Have you ever experienced that instant pain
in your bones when you dive into a freezing pool? Have you ever enjoyed it?
The scalding
hot summer here in Austin makes you want to dive into a pool almost every time
of the day, to escape into a very refreshing, cool spot were you can enjoy
sunlight and hot weather. Still, water inside a regular outdoor pool can get very
hot during the summer. Fortunately, nature has provided a wonderful
alternative: Barton Springs Pool.
Centuries ago, this natural spring was inhabited by Native American tribes who considered it sacred and used it for purification rituals. After many distinguished owners such as William Barton (hence, the Barton S.P) and Andrew Zilker (Zilker Park), the spring gained popularity and later became property of the city of Austin. In the 1920's stairs, ladders, diving boards, and cement
edges and sides were built around this natural spring to make it function as a
normal swimming pool (Source: Wikipedia.)
The spring-fed water is 68 degrees (but it feels way
chillier). Usually around summer time, many locals gather inside the pool and
throughout its surroundings to enjoy weekends and sunny days. Hoping to get acquainted with the city and maybe
meet some of the locals, my husband and I went to BSP. We were surprised by the way people interacted, as if
they had known each other for a long time. For instance, when someone dived
inside the pool doing a special flip in the air, other people clapped and
cheered. At one point, I told my husband “we should clap too”. We didn’t
understand why people were being so friendly.
The neatness
of the pool also amazed us. Austinites certainly value their natural treasure.
Everyone respects the pool’s restrictions and rules, and Parks and Recreation
workers make sure this place stays clean and well preserved. The way families
come here to relax and enjoy quality time together showed us the importance of
valuing and caring for the natural resources that have been provided to us. A
place like this deserves to be well looked after; in order for citizens to enjoy it, they should act in a responsible, nature-friendly way, as austinites clearly do. If only Venezuelans would treat El Ávila like Austinites treat their
pool.
DON’T MESS WITH TEXAS
From Kohei: Hi Daniela. I often hear the reputation of Barton Springs Pool from my friends. Most of my Friends said that they had a blast there, so it made me want to go there. One hitch that I have right now is the fact that I cannot swim because of my trauma that I experienced when I was a little kid. Staying here, I think I should overcome it because my apartment has a pool. I want to practice swimming in order to get used to swimming. Since my way of swimming is like doggy puddles, it is kind of embarrassing. Also, I agree with your perspective about the people living in Austin. Most of the people really consider the environment and try to preserve the nature. I was really impressed with their eco-friendly behavior. There is no doubt that BSP is really clean and awesome. Sometimes, I really want to go there and have the same feeling that you had when you went there.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment Kohei! I can only imagine this experience must have been really hard on you, I hope you can overcome your fear and enjoy all the wonderful places that involve swimming. If it helps, BSP has really shallow spots where the water barely reaches your knees; parents enjoy being able to bring their kids here and not worrying about them drowning. I hope this helps! Thanks again for your comment!!
DeleteFrom me: Nice post on a city treasure, Daniela! I appreciate the history, and I think the way you cited it is totally appropriate for a blog. I share your enthusiasm for the pool, and love hearing your perspective. I would enjoy even more detail in the description, but the length is also appropriate for a blog. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteThank you!!! I agree, more detail would have been nice! Maybe I can write about BSP again in a different assignment where I don't have to worry about the length. I appreciate your comments!!
DeleteHey Daniela, i am kind of upset because i believe you were late to write this post, since it is already October :) well, i don't like cold water at all, so at this weather it doesn't seem like a good idea for me to dive! however, maybe i can visit there next summer ;) to tell about writing, i think it is both informative and eagering. Looking forward to your new posts...
ReplyDeleteHey Ahmet! It's sunny and hot in Austin again! Hurry before the real polar vortex takes over. I've never tried it but our teacher said people go to the pool when its cold as well, they say the water feels nice and warm in contrast with the freezing weather.
DeleteHello Daniela! You posted the perfect blog: you combined historic details with your own present experience. I imagine how great it must have felt the cool water in such a hot weather! But the thing is I really like Austin pools (in think Venezuelan pools should be similar) because they are hot. In Chile we have really cold pools and seas, so baths are always short. Here I have had time to enjoy a long bath with baby Juanito in our warm pool and I have loved it.
ReplyDeleteHaving said this, I absolutely agree with you that it is amazing how Texans take care of their natural environment. In Chile, public pools are disgusting. I wouldn't dare to swim there even if they paid me to do so!
Pia! Thank you for commenting on my post. I wouldn't dare to go inside a public pool in Venezuela either!! Its such a shame, we have PERFECT tropical weather.
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