| Page Views: 6,636 Last Visit to Houston: - | Dancing to the Rhythm of H-Town by nomorewars - last update: May 7, 2009 |
The Magic of Just One City After spending my first three days exploring my new hometown, the City of Houston, I had freed my pockets from the burdensome weight of money, loose change mainly; worn-down the soles of my open-toe sandals, a cheap Wal-Mart purchase; and forced my waistline into a pair of my favorite slacks, Bugle Boy, size 34 x 34. I’m not quite sure what had happened to me during this time frame, but I did know that my exploration of Houston had not finished. Taking the sheer size of the city into consideration, I quickly realized that I had only cut into a small portion of that proverbial tip of the iceberg.
In all honesty, I had never found Houston to be appealing (Gasp!!!), possessing the assumption that the city lacked originality, uniqueness, culture – all the things that drew me to travel in the first place. Had it not been for my wife – a Houstonian by birth (and therefore a “true” Texan) – my life would have continued, and then finally ended, without ever seeing the city’s skyline; and at the time, that would have been alright by me — but not now. Today, I am extremely happy for having befriended this city. And luckily for me (applause please!) I reached this sentiment in the nick-of-time; for whether I liked it or not, for better or for worse, my destiny was going to be fulfilled right here — and nowhere else — in the city of Houston, Texas.
Anyhow; tt is the fourth largest city in the United States -- right? As such, many first-time visitors tend to find Houston as a very daunting place. I know I did. And for this very reason, it is a rarity whenever it is found to be a blimp on someone’s radar; it’s not a popular tourist destination. What draws people to Houston? Well, typically, business and commerce are what, I believe, lures people to this place; after all, it is one of the energy capitals of the world: dinero flows through this city like garbage in its bayous and other waterways.
So; perhaps you are wondering why I find this city so—why I think this city gets a bad rap or is undermined as a true destination of travel merit. Well, my initial exploration of the city introduced me to the following: civil rights history in the city’s Third Ward neighborhood, Jazz traditions in the city’s Fourth Ward neighborhood, Creole culture in the city’s Fifth Ward neighborhood—I was completely taken aback, albeit joyfully, by all that I had unearthed. Carl Hampton, Lightnin Hopkins, and the IWW—I discovered that time had, in fact, truly forgotten, nay failed to cement their legacies. As a lover of culture, a history enthusiast, I refuse to allow that to happen.
Countless hours of research at the library would reveal genuine promise and a well of adventure. |
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| Pros: | "There are those trying to save the truth." | | Cons: | "Big businesses are killing the city's unique history." | | In A Nutshell: | "Houston: No room for the past." |
nomorewars' Houston Travel Tips
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 Comments for nomorewars about Houston | | | | |
jumpingnorman Thu Apr 9, 2009 06:18 UTC
I was just here in Houston a few weeks ago...you have very nice tips about it...I will be back 3 more times later this year and will try to visit some of places you mentioned...poverty/hunger in America is truly sad...Norman :) | Nemorino Tue Feb 3, 2009 19:55 UTC
Me again, coming back to read more of your Houston tips. I continue to be highly impressed with your detailed accounts of history-from-below, from the viewpoint of minorities, workers and unions. | ludogatto Wed May 21, 2008 13:14 UTC
In my first US travel 87' I spent 10 days in Houston, guest of one italo american friends, talent scout for Montreal Expos! How many memeories looking to your pages! and my first Major League game in Astrodome! | FRANCISCOCHINCHIMA Sun Apr 27, 2008 00:25 UTC
ACTUALLY, IT WAS THE CARL HAMPTON FREE MEDICAL CLINIC. PROJECT ROWHOUSES HAS PICKED UP WHERE CARL HAMPTON LEFT OFF. THROUGH COMMUNITY BASED PROJECTS, PROVIDES FOR THE PEOPLE. CARL HAMPTON LIVES! |
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