White knuckle night

This last week in Houston has seen some horrific traffic crashes resulting in death, and tragically, alcohol and speed have generally been involved.  Last week, in separate incidents, 2 drunk drivers managed to kill 5 people by driving the wrong way on the 45 North freeway.  It seems that this aspect of today’s world has no passport as such tragedies can be observed world over.

I had my first night time freeway experience here on Saturday night.  I drove home after a day visiting friends in The Woodlands, about 45 minutes north of Houston.  This freeway has 6 lanes of traffic going in one direction; and everyone appears to need to get to wherever it is they are going faster.  So you have 6 lanes of drivers travelling at 70 mph plus, all zigzagging in and out of lanes in order to get ahead.  Sadly, here its not against the law to text or talk on a phone while driving, so you can also observe cars veering across lines while the driver is inevitably preoccupied with his or her phone.  Add to that inexperienced drivers speeding, and potentially drunk drivers, and I can assure you, that driving on a Houston freeway late at night is more than a hair raising experience.  It definitely is a white-knuckle drive!

Wet Wet Wet

Rain, rain and more rain.  Houston is a beautifully green city and over the last 24 hours, it is plain to understand, and see, why.   Constant solid rain over night and continuing again this morning.  Flooding in the southern suburbs and driving on these roads is a hairy experience.

It reminds me of Darwin during the wet season – amazing electrical storms; heavy constant rain; steamy humidity; but oh so green.  Plants just go crazy.

Batter Up

Going to a major league baseball game at Minute Maid Park is a unique experience.  Americans love their sport and take going to the game very seriously….even if the Astros are on a losing streak. 

  

Minute Maid Park is an amazing venue.  This stadium holds approximately 40,900 people for a game and is built on the site of the old Union Station.  In fact, the stadium incorporates some of the old station’s main entrance and concourse in its design.  The venue also hosts various concerts from time to time, which I imagine would be fantastic as its quite intimate for its size and capacity.

A baseball game may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but for me, it took me back to my youth and my softball days.  I was surprised at how easily I picked up the game and its rules and recollected some of the common aspects of both games.  What I do like about sport is the way in which it breaks down social barriers and facilitates comradery, conversation and friendship.  By simply asking for a rule clarification from the fellow sitting next to me, I not only learnt an enormous amount about baseball, but also got all sorts of information on Houston, Texas and the US generally.  I was also able to share my similar experiences and advice in respect of Australia.

Like Australians, going to a game means donning the colours and uniform, eating junk (and lots of it), being vocal and passionate, and singing off key to any and every anthem and theme song that is played.

Everyone should go to a game once in their life…..its a great experience.  And yep, the Astros lost in the 10^th innings.

Pubs..Houston style

So it’s a hot Houston summer sunset following a long day of house hunting.  Only one thing for it…...swing by a local pub for a quiet drink before heading home to settle in for the night.  Driving down Westheimer, I come across an innocuous looking bar with a beer garden out front.  Nothing like I am used to, but what the heck, decide to give it a shot.  Driving into an incredibly crowded car park, being marshaled to a parking bay by a State Trooper or Police officer or at least an officially uniformed chap with a gun and Taser, I begin to wonder whether this pub is right for me.

Chuy’s, which apparently does ‘kick ass Tex Mex’ turns out to be a fabulous and colorful haven from the heat.  The house margaritas would kill a cactus with delicious kindness and the local Texas “Shiner” Buck beers go done really well. 

 

The atmosphere is fantastic and relaxed.  The crowd is such an eclectic mix of people from singles, couples, old, young, to families and people from all walks of life and cultural backgrounds.  And there are so many nooks and crannies to this place one begins to think of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry….endless hidey-holes behind a tiny street frontage!

But then it’s time to go…..so I dodge the chaos in the car park being artfully managed, and as I walk back to the car, I ponder the fact that this huge pub car park is not only chockers with ‘trucks’ double parked while the drivers quench their thirst, but its also being supervised by a Police Officer, and I realize that the Houston drinking culture may be somewhat different to what I know. 

I’m not in Kansas anymore Toto!!!

Australia Day vs 4th of July

Australia Day in Perth is always something special.  It’s the day people drag out their Australian flag thongs or flip flops; pull on the Australian flag boardies or bikinis; and don the Australian flag cape.  

Then you either head to the beach for some beach cricket or you park your butt somewhere on the Swan foreshore so as to secure your spot for the fireworks show.  We do Australia Day well.

 

Now lets talk 4^th of July!!  

To start with, in the US they call this a ‘holiday week’ yet there is only one day off – positive thinking!!  I like that.  

  

Like Australians, if you can put the flag on it, and then wear it, they do.  Patriotism galore and plenty of politics on the side.  

The 4^th July parade is genuinely something special.  Today, I was privileged enough to hear a little boy, no more than 5 years old, thanking the parading troops for “their service” which was quiet heart warming.

So despite being on opposite hemispheres, we do our days much the same - with passion, patriotism, a BBQ, plenty of friends and a few drinks.  

Goodwill really does have no passport.

Bigger in Texas

A 'no wait' emergency room??

It is said that everything is bigger in Texas and Houston doesn’t disappoint, particularly on the roads. 

My first USA driving lesson was not only given by a southern gent pushing Octonagerian status, but on highways that are 6 and 7 lanes wide one way and where every vehicle seems to be twice as large as my little rented sedan.   I am sure it was obvious that I was a ‘newcomer’ because I not only was driving a sedan but it was a ‘foreign car’ to boot!   Yes ma’am….I stood out.  I also drove slowly which is apparently quite odd.

Then of course, Houstonians do gridlock very well.  I drove C to work today and what should have been a 10 minute trip, grew exponentially into a 1 hour journey.  Practically had to pack lunch! 

Just your average ambulance

But I did learn something valuable from the experience….Perth drivers aren’t the worst in the world after all and you should go to the loo before starting out.

Through jet lagged eyes: First impressions of Houston

•  “Yes sir” and “yes mam” are heartedly given, coupled with a great big smile.
• The footpaths or sidewalks aren’t really designed for walking on.
• Great variety of grocery produce at the Central Markets.
• The mall police or 'mall cops' take their job seriously! 
• The steaks are big.
• The rain is really torrential and the thunder and lightening storms fantastic.
• Jet lag + humidity = a killer so bed is very welcome.