Guest Hook Travel Guides Austin Insider Guide | Página 3

ABOUT ASHLEY & THE REAL AUSTIN... Ashley is a native Austinite. She is 100% Austin—“different from the rest of Texas,” as locals are quick to tell you—but knows Texas-friendly hospitality like no one else. Ashley is also a recovering non-profit professional—the vacation rental hostess gig was meant to be part-time. As it turns out, though, she's kinda awesome at it! Ashley is President of the Keep Austin Beautiful Board of Directors, and a bit of an evangelist for keeping Austin weird and funky and kind. Casa SoCo is a dream home for Ash and her husband, Frank. Before they even saw the house in person, they knew it had a special vibe. The house said "Chill." The map said "Great Location." A no brainer. Ashley & Frank's favorite day? A run/saunter around Lady Bird Lake, brunch at Snack Bar, wandering up SoCo for people-watching and shopping, mid-day margaritas, beer, tacos and free live music at Guero's Taco's, a nap at Casa SoCo, dinner at Lenoir and an amazing show at the Continental Club or ACL Live downtown. Foodies, music lovers, those who seek all things fun, beautiful and unpretentious: Ashley will make sure you have the best time ever. “Foodies, music lovers, those who seek all things fun, beautiful and unpretentious: Ashley will make sure you have the best time ever” "You've got to go to Austin!" Ashley hears it (and says it) all the time. Austinites firmly believe this is the best part of Texas—unique and progressive, but with the same abundance of sunshine, BBQ, football, and friendly folks. And in a state known for its size, Austin has both quantity AND quality in its music, food, atmosphere and people. As Ashley says about this city-town, "we love local and a little funky." As the Live Music Capitol of the World, you're guaranteed to hear fabulous live musicians every night. You'll also find merry-making, margaritas, hippies and hipsters. Ashley credits these factors for Austin's laid-back attitude: "we pratice lots of yoga, consider Zilker Park sacred, care about our people, cherish uniqueness, and welcome everyone in jeans and flipflops." Laid-back as it is, Austin is bold in the food department, leading the Foodie Revolution with a dizzying number of farm-to-table restaurants and an affinity for spice of all kinds. (It used to be Mexico, after all!) You could eat a different delicious taco at every meal, all week long. It's also home to Paul Qui of Uchiko, Germans who know how to bake bread, make sausage and brew beer, and truly the best festival food ever (say "yes" to chicken karrage, "no" to turkey legs). And it's hard NOT to go for a run downtown, aroun