I recently returned from a consulting engagement in Dallas, Texas and the above is the view from my hotel room, which was what I called 'home' for 6 days and 5 nights. Of course it was nothing like home, lacking in the usual creature comforts and the routines that come with home family life. There was no pyaar or emotional support that radiated from the 4 walls of my room. My only link to the outside world, apart from my daily visits to the client, were the room TV, the high speed internet connection and of course, my cell phone. Otherwise, I think I would have (as the Brits call it) 'lost my marbles'.
On another level observations I noted in general about Texan life:
a) Texans love their food (even by the excessive standards of North America). Every day of the week, the restaurants were packed. And it would appear that the concept of 'vegetarianism' does not exist in these parts.....now don't get me wrong, as a red-blooded Punjabi shere (hahahaha) I enjoy meat too, but not to the extent that Texans devour the stuff with the appetite of a resident of Jurassic Park.
b) Maybe related to the above, the average waistline of the Texans I met were 2-3 inches wider than their Torontonian counter-parts...I kid you not amigos. :)
c) I guess my appearance confused some of my Texan clients - both Anglos and Hispanics. The only Indians most Texans have had dealings with are the south Indian software coolie types (LOL) or watching Apu on the Simpsons. North Indian types are a rarity in their world. They automatically presumed I was of Latino origin, and occasionally a Spanish phrase would come my way awaiting an expectant response. And I suppose it was even more disorientating for them when I opened my mouth and sounded more like Hugh Grant in About a Boy rather than Manuel from Guadalajara...lol. :)
d) Overall, Texans are a very friendly open bunch of people whom I'd gladly invite to my next backyard barbecue. :) (Though I'd probably want to filter out the bible preaching types).
e) Texas is a big place. Even Dallas airport has it's own 3 lane highway connecting between the different terminals.
That all said, glad to be back in Maple Leaf country. :)
4 comments:
what a coincidence:)
we just returned from houston!
The airport's own highway is cool!
Although big airports now intimidate me...Pearson for example...not the airports per se, but the roads/highways leading to the various terminals. I have come to like Calgary Airport, it is miniscule and not very complicated, neither is the access to it! :)
I have been to Dallas twice. What you have described is a perfect description of Texan people and life!
Bhaji, I did think of Calgary as a village when I first arrived here from NY/NJ. I have now become used to the village! He he he he.
:) first texas and then mexico: u have been having a Tex-mex time! :)
Post a Comment