Alright, sorry it's taken me this long to actually update. Since it has been a while, I'll be relating impressions more than actual details. So, to start with, leaving Wolfville on Thursday was a bit of hassle, but unlike the last time when I went to Halifax for a job interview, this time I decided to call a cab rather than walk 45 min to get to the bus station. Once there, it was a matter of waiting for the bus, taking that long ride to the airport via Halifax (this time I took a pill, so as to avoid being carsick even before my trip started :P), then killing time at the airport waiting for my flight, which included a connection Toronto. Finally got to Houston at the appointed time, waited with slight anxiety until my cousin finally arrived to pick me up! The first meet was definitely interesting...it had been almost exactly 4 years since we had seen each other last, and even then only briefly and we didn't really get a chance to hang out, and hadn't really kept in touch very well since, but seeing each other again after all that time, I was expecting it to be more awkward but it really wasn't! I remember when we were kids and they'd come to visit on weekends, or I would go see them on holidays...there'd be an initial period of awkwardness when none of us would make the first move to talk to each other or start playing, but then after a while we end up playing and talking non stop and at the end of the day, we were having such a good time that no one wanted to part. This time, maybe it's because we've all grown up and are more socialized, no longer the shy kids we were (hey, we're from the same family...some traits run true, haha) -- or at least, we PRETEND we're no longer the shy kids we were -- there wasn't as much awkwardness. Just started talking and catching up as if no time had passed at all! I loved that whatever else has happened, however much time has passed, we can still relate to each other comfortably like that, no pretense, just acceptance. Nothing beats family, I guess!
Anyway, KC and I ended up staying up later than intended just chatting easily and watching a bit of TV. The next morning, since Wowie couldn't get up, I went with KC to pick up more cousins from the airport: Miko, Juris, and Paolo! Everyone was tired and jetlagged, of course, so the day was spent quietly at home resting, sleeping, playing video games (for some), working (for others), and a brief foray into the outside world for some fast food takeout. Evening included a trip to downtown Houston for dinner and an impromptu shopping trip to Target (LOL) to check out some souvenir gifts to bring back home. The next day must have been pretty much the same, since I don't remember much of it, except for, again, going out to dinner with everyone (see pics). The following day involved another trip to the airport to pick up even more cousins (Leo and Sarah!), and again the rest of the day was spent at home resting while KC finished writing the last paper for his degree! This paper was submitted the following day, which meant we got to see his campus! Also went to the Museum of Natural Science, which was really the only thing on my list of things to see in Houston because Lucy(!) - that's Australopithecus afarensis to my anthro geek friends, and NOT the actress - was there. But everyone was nice enough to accommodate my request (THANKS EVERYONE!), and we did end up watching a 3D IMAX flick while we were there so it wasn't a complete waste (I hope). Now, I can't remember exactly, but I think the next day (which was Tuesday, at this point, if anyone was keeping track), the rest of the contingent from the Philippines arrived, which included my aunt and uncle, and KC's, Miko's and the rest of the gang's Grandma. At this point, I should probably make the familial relationships clear for those who don't know. KC and Miko are brothers, their dad is my dad's older brother. Everyone else I've mentioned thus far are KC's and Miko's cousins on their mother's side. But it's cool, since we spent enough time in each other's company as kids that we were, essentially, one big happy family (figuratively speaking).
Dinner that day was a family affair with a home cooked meal, eaten in shifts of course, because by this time there were a lot of people all staying in one place (I haven't even talked about the interesting sleeping arrangements going on). The next day was a trip to NASA, which was interesting mostly because of the tour into the actual facility (rather than just the museum/amusement park/interpretive centre). Other than that, not much to say about it other than being able to check it off my list of places I've been. It was a long drive, too! I felt bad for KC and Miko, who did most of the driving around during our trip. Now, I forget exactly (again), but I think the next day was a trip to an outlet mall, this time without KC since he went golfing with his dad. I didn't buy anything, just walked around checking out stuff and trying to decide if I wanted to buy something or not. I was talking to KC later on and apparently, I'm not the only one who does that...it seems to be a family trait to hem and haw about something for a while before purchasing -- in most cases, we end up with nothing at all, so I guess it's not such a bad thing, except that it's probably annoying for whoever is with us when we go shopping! Not content with that, we ended up in a shopping mall closer to home at the end of the day, where I ended up buying a shirt and a pair of flip flops at Old Navy. I know, for shame! At least I didn't go home empty handed. Friday was spent mostly at home except for a trip to the post office for me, to a storage/moving place to get a box for Miko's statue, and dinner out with us kids and a couple of the grownups. Saturday was the big day, KC's convocation, the reason we had all gathered in one place at one time. Slight confusion with the venue and parking, but everyone made it in time to see the proud graduand walk the stage! A few quick photos at the site, then it's back home for some food and rest, and to get ready for the party at night. The party wasn't that big, just a few of the grownups KC had known during his stay in Houston, and us kids. But it was definitely a lot of fun "drinking" with the cousins, since that was the first time I had gotten together with them as adults (well, ok, I was 23 the last time we saw each other, but we didn't do much hanging out then). It was probably one of the most memorable experience I had in Houston, made even more interesting by an impromptu trip to the nearby Walmart (open 24 hours!) just so we can leave the house and go out for a smoke (or two) away from the grownups. Fun times.
Next day was D-day for me, "D" for departure, I suppose. Not without being able to sneak in a lunch at an all you can eat sushi place though, which was excellent. Can't remember the name of the place now, for the life of me. Anyway, afterwards, they all went off to go somewhere, an upscale mall downtown, I think, while a couple of my Titas' drove me to the airport to catch my flight outta there. The trip home was relatively uneventful...I had booked a cab back to Wolfville ahead of time since I knew I would get in at around 1am (there goes $120). Back in Wolfville around 3, I think, and just crashed.
Now, there were a couple other things we did, but I forget when we did them so I didn't know where to place them in the timeline. There was a trip to a number of electronics places (Fry's, Best Buy, etc) so Miko and Sarah can shop for laptops. At this time I was checking out digital cameras, but didn't end up buying any (again, with the hemming and the hawing). There was a return trip to Best Buy so they can actually purchase their laptops, and also a repeat trip to the mall where I almost bought a watch. There was also a couple of hours spent at a great brew pub with the boys (KC, Miko and Leo) having beers and appys and just talking about life...I learned a lot of stuff about them and their family I didn't know before...of course, we wouldn't exactly be talking about these topics as kids/teenagers. There was also a huge family dinner at a nice seafood restaurant, that was interesting as well. But the things we did and the places we went aren't really that important, in my opinion. This trip to Houston wasn't about sightseeing, but really more of a family reunion (even if it wasn't really so much my family). And the way the trip unfolded kind of reflected that, with most of the time spent hanging out at home with the cousins, doing simple things like shopping and eating and talking with only a bit of sightseeing mixed in. And of course, the most memorable bits about my trip aren't the places I went to, but the conversations I had with everyone and the feeling of re-connecting with the people from my childhood, from home. Sounds cheesy and sentimental? You bet! But if you knew me at all, that wouldn't surprise you...and if you didn't, well, you do now!
I'm missing everyone and wish I could go home to see them again, along with our other cousins in Cavite! Soon, soon, I hope!
PS: I forgot to explain about the psychics. That's probably the other thing I'd remember about Houston, was the number of psychics around. Usually in a house (or converted house, I never actually went inside any of them), with a big sign out the yard advertising their presence. I'd see them mostly along major thoroughfares which was why I could never get a picture of them, although I did see one downtown as we were driving by. Now, the freeways comment is pretty explanatory (Houston is huge! and sprawling! Tita Lou's house was a good 40 min or so away from downtown, and that's using the freeway!), and so is the space part. The other strong impression I got from the limited time I was "out and about" in Houston was its interesting mix of the south (the Mexican influence) and the southern (with the African-American cultural influence and the proximity to Louisiana and its mystique), mixed in with the 'bigness' that is cowboy and oil country. Now, I don't know if that's stereotyping or not, maybe it is, but I thought it was one of the things that made the place unique, and what stuck out in my mind.
