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I’ve been in Austin for a week now.

It’s still awesome.

Last night I went to the Congress Bridge for Night of the Bat. It was created because Austin is home to the largest urban bat colony on earth. The night included honorary guest Adam West, a 1960s Batmobile and a group called Blue Lapis Light that danced on the side of a huge building.

It was awesome beyond words. If you’ve seen the photos on Facebook, you’ll be seeing them here again. It was just that cool.

The bats still hadn’t come out from under the bridge by 10 p.m. so we ended up leaving before I could get any shots of them. Honestly, that was OK with me because I was tired of standing and the camera was getting heavy around my neck. There was a guy all the way from Kansas there to see the bats. Technically, he was in town to visit his daughter who lives in Austin, but it’s still a pretty long haul to Austin.

The conversation began as a geek-out about camera stuff. Brad and Chris looked on as we threw around numbers for aperture, shutter speed and the best way to shoot bats at night. Eventually he asked why we liked Austin. Brad and Chris told him it was because it’s a place for artists, musicians and even some tech people. I added that it was just weird (which is a good thing, in my opinion).

I’ve always known I’d live in a relatively big city. Austin isn’t huge, but it’s number 15 and just behind Indianapolis, according to Wikipedia. That list takes into account the fact that Indianapolis is a consolidated city-county, which means that the population numbers don’t include the entire county. In any case, Austin and Indianapolis both feel like relatively big cities, but I like Austin much more.

I think there are a few specific reasons, those beyond the general feeling of the city, that make me enjoy being here so much. First is the fact that there is always something going on. Last night, I went to the Night of the Bat festivities, but I could have gone to Star Wars in Concert. Those events might not be exciting to everyone, but to me they’re amazing. I never thought I’d be in a city where I could go to one event or the other, but now I’m in a place where both happen on the same night and I have to choose!

The second part of Austin that draws me in has to be the people. It seems like everyone is some kind of artist or tech-type. Obviously, that’s a generalization that probably wouldn’t stand up to tough scrutinization. It still feels that way though, and that’s what matters. I walk around and see people like me, and that just feels right.

The last part isn’t as specific, but it’s just as real to me. The energy of the city, channeled through the people, is amazing. There’s an excitement, an electric fizz in the air wherever I go. It’s happiness, excitement and wonder all rolled into one. I think much of the feeling I get is a direct result of everyone’s attitude toward the city. They love being here and it shows.

I didn’t enjoy leaving my family and those who are close to me behind in Indiana. The geographic distance from them can’t be helped, but it’s undeniable that Austin is the place for me now.