Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Texas: the Good, the Bad, the Funny

First of all, allow me to thank everyone who left birthday greetings here or at some of the other blogs that put up a post for me. Thanks also to the folks who sent emails or cards and to the ones who called me on my special day. You all know how to make a girl feel loved and I do so appreciate it. It made the day special. Now onto the Texas report...


I KNEW I WAS IN TEXAS WHEN...I heard gentle drawls, was addressed as 'Ma'am' by everyone, and saw a few cowboy hats.

THE GOOD

Texas friendliness. Every where I went I found folks who were beyond friendly. Even cashiers made eye contact and smiled when they spoke. Heck, they spoke to you more than to give you the bill in a flat tone. The drivers were also very tolerant of a disoriented Yankee trying to figure out how the heck to navigate the airport construction and discover the mystery of Texas Turnarounds. Folks were helpful and kind and went out of their way to be polite and congenial. I am sorry to confess, visitors to my part of the world will not find that to be the rule around here. I'll be doing my best not to live up to the reputation for terse iciness that those of us from the Northeast have earned for ourselves but I can't control the rest of us.

The wedding. It was beautiful. This friend of mine has flatly refused at least 4 other serious proposals of marriage. It was a delight to finally meet the man who got an emphatic 'YES!' when he asked. It was a joy to celebrate with them.

Texas flavor. I ate up what I could in the short time I had. Tex-Mex food, Tejano music on the radio (Yes, I tuned into that when ever I was driving....all part of the experience, I figure.) Gruene Hall, the state's oldest dance hall.

The sights. The Art Museum, the Riverwalk, Gruene Hall, the hill country, the Alamo...all fabulous. The very cool thing was when I went to the Alamo they were having a living history festival much like the one I participated in last weekend. I got talking to one of the re-enactors who is a board member of their historical society and he was really excited to exchange information so our group and his can have contact since we cover roughly the same time period.

Blog meet-ups. I had the distinct pleasure of meeting other bloggers for the first time. Seamus was an incredibly gracious host (I just can't say enough about how welcome he made me feel and how much I enjoyed his company) as he took me into San Antonio so we could enjoy the Art Museum and the Riverwalk on Friday. Sunday he showed me around his corner of the hill country. I so thoroughly enjoyed the time we spent exploring and talking I forgot to take any pictures! Thank you, Seamus for all the time you gave and for making the visit so memorable and special. During my extended layover on the way home I planned to meet with G-man and Signgurl. They did indeed meet me there AND they brought Roxi and her pal Croaker too. (Ok, so that falls under 'surprising.') G-man organized the troops and Signgurl made all sorts of food for us to eat. It was DELICIOUS and I can't believe how much work she put into the short little meeting we had. It was a super brief meeting but I am so touched that everyone took time out of their busy schedules to come say hello for the duration of my layover. It was really a wonderful chance to meet them all.

The weather. Perfect...nuff said.


THE BAD

Leaving when 2 kids stayed home sick. I went to my airport while both Diana and Isaac were staying home from school with the same hideous cold I had.

The Highways. The airport roads are all under construction and I was not hip to the notion of Texas Turnarounds until I intentionally got on a road going the wrong way (there were no signs indicating which was the right way to go) so I could find the closest exit and...well....turnaround. Lo and behold, that was what I should have done in the first place! Dang, y'all! Why didn't ya say so? Oh, yeah, my hotel...it was about 30 feet from the interstate....my room...at the end of the building facing the interstate. Hahaha.

Philadelphia Airport. It's dirty and messy. Folks are grouchy. The shuttle to long term parking was driven by an inbred who crammed so many of us in there that three people were literally sitting on the dashboard. Folks, I love Philadelphia. I think every American who can get there should do so simply because of the history of the place, but crap like this embarrasses me as one who grew up near there. Bolivia is the poorest nation in South America and the 3 airports I have been in there ALL beat the Philly airport for cleanliness and service as far as I could see.


THE FUNNY

Isaac. When I announced I was going to Texas he declared with a mixture of concern for my well-being and excitement over potential carnage, 'Mom, you know there are killer bees and tornadoes in Texas!' First words when I called to say I had gotten to my hotel safely, 'See any killer bees yet?'

The reception. It was very short. I knew just one other guest and her husband but we had a good time together....although I did get asked 4 times if she (who is 27) was my daughter...and once I was asked if I had grandchildren. Erm....no...emphatically no, on both counts.

The uber-conservative. After the reception ended quickly 'my children' and I decided to go find something else to do rather than go back to the hotel. We got talking to an older fellow who was glad to share about some interesting things. He then began to decry some of the societal changes that have been thrust upon his Texas paradise and the world in general. He announced, 'We wouldn't be havin' this sorta trouble if they'da hung Ed Sullivan and the Beatles.'


I KNEW I WAS BACK HOME WHEN...I saw a Mennonite bishop and his family all in plain dress and bonnets and heard them speak in Pennsylvania Dutch. I saw a TastyCake truck. Calypso came running down the stairs and threw her arms around me before I could even set my bags down.

31 comments:

barman said...

Awe such a touching ending to the story... now lets head back and make more meaningful comments.

barman said...

Texas sounds awesome and the wedding sounds like it turned out well other than people asking about "your children". Oh well, I do not see myself mistaking you that way unless you had kids when you were 12 or 13 but even then, I don't think so.

We just got a turnaround in my neck of the woods but it is a very itty bitty one. It opens tomorrow (big news in thies here neck of the woods). Perhaps this calls for a posting with pictures.

So the meeting was Monday. Oh sugar, I had monday off. I so could have made it to see you on your lay over. Oh well. Glad you were able to do that. I have meet all the people you meet on the layover and they are wonderful people especially Sign and of course G. OK, everyone then.

Glad there were no killer bee's. Woo hoo on the reinactment buddy. That is so cool.

What a wonderful trip. Glad you were able to make the trip and come back safe and all the richer for your experiences.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like the excursion was quite the success in more ways than one. When you were at the Alamo did anyone actually say "Remember..." (nope, not gonna complete that) and did you hoot and holler when they did? Sorry, it's just one of those things that I wonder about sometimes. lol!

BTExpress said...

Welcome home! I so agree with you about the dirty airports in the NE. Every where else they are so much cleaner.

I also feel the same way about Texans, except for the drivers in the Dallas area. I don't think they know what turn signals or speed limits are. I liked the turn arounds though. Good idea.

Anonymous said...

Welcome home lime. Glad to hear you had some memories to bring back home with you.

Your story about the old Texan reminds me of a stop I made in Georgia in the 60's at a rural gas station.
I tried to not let my eyes pop out by some of the comments overheard.
I think returning home is my favorite part of traveling.
tc

Cooper said...

Talk about opposites!!!!!!
1) I lived in Houston for a year. I was never treated worse in my life. I was a "damn yankee" and was reminded of it constantly. Bad, bad experience.

2) On the other hand, never had a bad experience at Philly Airport - In fact prefer it to Newark International (I'm kinda halfway between) Of course I haven't been there in a few years so maybe it's gone downhill.

Glad your trip was fun and you got meet so many good folk.

Anonymous said...

I'm glad the weather cooperated - what hoops we had to jump thru to order up such gorgeous visitor's weather. ;)

Headlines in the paper today announced they are going to remove all the turnarounds after the carnage experienced over the weekend! Ya wouldn't know anything about that would you?

I'm still laughing over "uber-conservative" - good thing he wasn't in charge in '64!

Next time, we'll set a timer for dinners so we finish BEFORE they roll the sidewalks up!

'twas great having you here! :)

lime said...

barman, texas was indeed awesome. even the 'bad' parts really were not bad...well excpet for the bit about the philly airport..gees...

lecram, my main temptation at the alamo was to re-enact the scene from 'peewee's big adventure when he calls dottie on the phone and sings, 'the stars at night...are big and bright...' I managed to refrain. heheeh

btexpress, glad i am not alone in that assessment. and yes, once i understood the turnarounds they did seem like a good idea.

top cat, lol, whisper in my ear...i want to hear the comments form the georgian...

cooper, sorry houston was not too good to you. i have to agree with you on philly vs. newark though. *shudders* at the thought of newark.

seamus, lmao @ today's headlines! no worries on the rolled up sidewalks...the company and conversation was far superior to any other activity that could have been had.

SignGurl said...

I too had an awesome TX experience. The big difference I saw between the North and the South was the speed at which people perform, hurry up, already! I learned a lot about taking life a little slower.

It was such a pleasure to meet you. I'm happy it worked out that I could come. You are simply even more gorgeous than your beautiful pictures let on.

I can't wait to post pictures on Thursday!

snowelf said...

Lime, Your trip recap was awesome and how fun it must have been to hang out with some of the blogger crew!!!
I also cracked up about Issac's killer bee comment! I remember when I was moving to SC when I was 12 and I was terrified there were going to be rattlesnakes everywhere!!!

Welcome home :)

-snow

S said...

WOW GF, combined blogger meetups on one big trip! I didnt realize you had such a wingding planned.

So cool that you got to meet and greet and eat!

Happy Birthday again!

Lo Kelween said...

haha, i think Isaac mentioned about the killer bee just to stop you from going away! LOL. very very funny...:)

anyway i linked from Dorky Dad's blog
take care! :)

Charles said...

Yay! You're back home and safe. Touching Calypso moment, by the way.

G-Man said...

You met bloggers?
Wow..I'm still basking in the glory of meeting the stunningly beautiful Michelle Aussi Trini Limey.. One of my most exciting moments ever!
Thanks also for not hogging all of SignGurls awesome Cucumber Sandwiches on her home-baked bread!!..xoxoxox

barman said...

Sign you are so right about things being slower down South. I noticed that the 5 or so visits to my friends when they lived in Florida. It is like everything is in slow mo. Of course that is probably more healthy for you but at the moment I just do not know.

tsduff said...

Wow, a blogger meeting... how fun is that? Lovely - so glad it worked out so well. You made some MILES girl!

Welcome back to your home and loved ones. I agree - coming home is one of the joys of traveling :)

Jeni said...

That was really a great - very neat - recap of what had to have been a really fun weekend! Next time you head out for some event like that, give me a call and take me along. I'm way overdue for a little vacation!
I had no idea that Ed Sullivan was a big factor though in the demise of society as we know it. Learn something new every day, don't 'cha now?

Anonymous said...

To your first lines: Your welcome (thanks for your reply) and I'm glad you had such great attention on your day - you deserves it!

Thanks for a wonderful memo from your trip. I've never been to Texas and can tell I would need you as a guide when I go there!

You know I love to hear about your gathering as I always say: 'Blogging connecting People' wish I where there with you!

Al in all: good to know your home safe and sound and that your kids got their mom back :-)

Anonymous said...

...and all that during one weekend trip! Wonderful!

airplanejayne said...

I think it's great that you met up with bloggers -- cyber meets reality. cool.

And I made it all the way thru fine....until I got to "hung Ed Sullivan and the Beatles."

-milk bubbles out the nose....


:)

glad it was a good trip -- and glad no one was hung.

--actually....forget that last part: being hung might not be so bad...

jillie said...

Sounds like you had a wonderful time in TX. I've only driven through there a few times and the only bad experience I had was in Lucky, TX and eating at a truck stop. I ordered french toast and after eating my bacon, I picked up a piece of the bread to put syrup on it. Well, lo and behold there was a dead fly under it...ICH! So I showed it to the waitress. Her reply was...well ma'am, ya'll ate that bacon now so I can't just give it to ya for free....EEEEK! I just paid the bill and left. I still laugh about it.

Sounds like you guys had a fun reunion in Detroit...SOOO JEALOUS HERE!
xo

Breazy said...

I am glad you had a good trip and I think it is absolutely awesome that you got to meet other bloggers.

I LOVE Texas and we plan on going back to see more of it since we have only been to Dallas/Fort Worth.

I hope the kids are feeling better!

xoxo

Mother Theresa said...

Aw, shucks! And I thought you were going to thrill us with a story about how you narrowly escaped a tornado and outran a nasty swarm of killer bees. ;) But I'm glad you had fun and got to meet some blogger buds to boot.

Mona said...

wow! some wonderful experiences!

Calypso sounds so sweet!

I am glad you had such a wonderful time!

lime said...

signgurl, i rather like the slower pace. much less stressful.

snowelf, shucks we have timber rattlers right here in PA! and black bears and deer ticks with lyme disease and west nile virus mosquitoes! hahahaha

s, yep, some of the plans came together at the last minute and i am so glad they did.

elween, i think the boy was trying to scare me out of the trip too. thanks for visiting:)

charles, i was quite touched by her welcome as well

g-man, it was a great time wasn't it?

tsduff, i wanted to make the most of the time i had!

jeni, i had no idea ed sullivan was such a revolutionary figure either. who knew? really!

renny, i would go back to texas in a heartbeat and gladly get together again with any of the folks i met this time.

cosima, a wonderful whirlwind

apj, ok, thanks for the OJ bubbles you caused in me with your coment about being hung :P

jillie, it was a fabulous time and it was verycool getting to at least speak to you on the phone

breazy, thanks. i think everyone is on the mend.

theresa, well, i was trying to be humble....

mona, all was wonderful...every bit

Keyser Soze said...

Well that am a PLUM fahn storey ma'am! Glad ta have ya back! It's been pow'ful quiet round hyar since y'all benn gone. Welcome home!

Commander Zaius said...

My grandfather always thought the Beatles were evil. But who would have thought the conspriacy included Ed Sullivan, the bastard.

Welcome back!!

Jim said...

You saw a Tastycake truck, and you don't mention it until the end?!?!

Lol, glad to have you back.

XO

(M)ary said...

aw. Isaac is looking out for his mom (-:

sounds like a great time on your trip.
that is fantastic that you were able to meet other bloggers. what a wonderful world we have that people can connect who would never have known each other before computers and the internet were invented.

Unknown said...

I know I'm home when I smell a mixture of cat and rotisserie chicken.

When I go to Texas I'm eating nothing but ribs. Breakfast? Ribs. Lunch? Ribs. Dinner? Ribs. Dessert? Tacos.

Unknown said...

San Antonio roads are always and forever under construction. I am not sure how they manage it on the scale on which they do. The airport is not that big but it is so easy to get into the wrong lane. I am glad that you figured out the turn arounds. They are very convenient when you get used to them. Gruene is wonderful and you did get great weather. It is back up to 90 degrees now.

Too bad you couldn't make it on up to Austin.