Houston,Texas - LoneStar p.5

11/4/2011 - 12/4/2011

Reached Houston Greyhound station at 8.15pm-ish.

Highway... reaching Houston...

Aaaah legaa....

Eli was waiting for me in her car near the station, with detailed instructions where I should meet her. It was over 8 pm by the time I reach the bus station, and she was quite worried as the area is not really safe at night. Was very excited to meet her.

Went home and was served with homecooked food, prepared by none other than herself :-) Loved her Timun Kuah Kacang. Her hubby came home from work, and later joined us for sembang2 session, and got very excited as we are from the same state back in Msia, so he get to speak loghat utagha sepuas hati lah. 

Eli and I talked till quite late :-) Catching up.

Next day, We went around her housing area, met some of her friends, and went around the area and to Houston downtown. It feels like home, or more like KL, as it was sunny and quite humid compared to NC :-) Enjoyed the day simply because I had a great company and a good chat and catching ups.

Need to catch my Flight which was scheduled to depart at 5pm-ish. I was quite nervous coz though I reached the airport an hour earlier, but the customs line was freaking long. Fortunately, the timing was ok, and I didnt end up running to boarding or missing the flight. But, I did walk superfast, just in case :-)

The skies were clear... and once up up in the sky.... managed to snap some magnificent shot. Magnificent for the view not my photo skills lar :-)

We flew over Mississippi River. At first I just speculated that we are passing by and over Mississippi River, then I decided to confirm that rather than just making speculations. I called for the flight attendant and asked her. She went and asked the pilot and returned to inform me, that I was correct... it was Mississippi River indeed. Ahhh... reminds me of Tom Sawyer stories, hehe.

Mississippi River ;)

Bye Lone Star State.

Started with Laid back and cozy visit, and threw some lone ranger adventure, before ending it with another laid back cozy visit again.

I have traveled solo ala backpack in a foreign country (San Antonio, Tx)... Accomplished that without having initial intention of doing so... Interesting and adventurous... nevertheless, I don't think I would want to do that again, unless required or depend on the circumstances ;)

San-Antonio Downtown - LoneStar p.4

11/4/2011
Spend the rest of the day walking around downtown San Antonio - Visited The Alamo and La Villita

The Alamo is a historical place. It was a chapel found by the Spanish, then it was used as a fort even as a hospital, when the Mexican took over. During the Texas Revolution (revolution of Texas colonists to be independent from the Mexican), the Battle of the Alamo happened in 1836. In this battle, the Mexican won, but not long after that, the Texan won in the Battle of San Jacinto (a month after battle of alamo). The battle of Alamo still left a big impact to the Texan, as they were hit hard during the battle but it remains as a symbol to heroism and bravery.

More story of the Alamo over the years (here)

 around The Alamo

On that day, there were having U.S. Army Staff Ride at the Alamo plaza. Kept myself entertained for a while. 

La Villita is a cultural and arts village. Most of the shops / stalls were closed on that day.  First two pictures on top is from La Villita. Bottom left (Riverwalk area), Bottom right (one of the Shops along the streets).

I took this Ripley's adventure package, consisting of 3 "adventures". One is more like a small exhibition, then there's this ride inspired from Tomb Rider, which i sucked at. I didnt get to shoot the ghosts. Then the other one is a haunted house. Ouh wow...i really enjoyed the haunted house @ Rumah hantu. Menjadi sangat. Anyway, the scariest part was that I went alone into the haunted house, and yes.... it was scaryyyy.... I didnt really scream though :)) coz I like to control macho like dat maa...

Went back to hotel and check out at about 1pm+
Around 1.45pm, I was back at the SA Greyhound bus station and my bus was suppose to be at 2ish. For some unknown reasons, we were told the bus was delayed.... but being stranded at the bus station for a few hours, I kinda sense there were no buses really moving for some of the scheduled time. Ampeh punya Greyhound. Bagus lagi transnasional... buweekk!

The bus was on its way from mexico, so maybe going pass the border took longer time, thus the delay? Dont know... Informed Eli that I was going to be late. Kinda sad, as we thought we would have more time to spend together... Geeshh...



 Finally at about 6pm+, the bus finally... Gladly hop into it... only to find the bus was not in its best days. Smelt funny, and felt quite stuffy. The Tv on the bus was playing black&white mexican soap... Layan saja lah.... Took random pics along the way.

Reached Houston at 8.15pm.
Aaaah legaa....

After that long tiring wait & journey, it was heartwarming to look at a beautiful familiar face.
Waaa... so great to see Eli.

:-)

San Antonio River Cruise... LoneStar p.3

Texas continued...

Second day in San Antonio... morning.... took the first boat ride...
San Antonio River-Cruise

Here are the pics along the river.... cruising :-)

the Mall by the river

Statue of Saint Antonio- the Saint.
(San Antonio was named for Saint Anthony of Padua, whose feast day is on June 13, when a Spanish expedition stopped in the area in 1691-Wikipedia).

Continue Cruising....

Lone-Star -Part 2 (San Antonio)

Before going down to Texas, I did some research about San Antonio. Most importantly, I need to have a map!!! Haha... oh yah, the google map! Refering to my bus itinerary and hotel booking, I had some rough idea how I were to move around.

I got my hotel thru Hotwire.com, as this is one of the services that offer cheap but fairly good accommodation, of course depending on the criteria we choose on the website.

The trick is... in most transcations, you won't know which Hotel you will be assigned to, only the area the hotel is and type of hotel i.e. budget / 3stars / 5stars, and price. But for certain places, i think sometimes they do reveal the name of the hotel first. Since Eli gave a good recommendation for this site, I booked with that. I got a nice hotel, but a bit of a walking distance from the center of attraction (The RiverWalk area). Huhu, I had to go with that, since hotels in the hearts of SA is dem expensive.

After payment made (online), The hotel was revealed, Holiday Inn (without breakfast). Ok. Walking distance from my bus station (Greyhound Express) = 1.2 miles.
Hmmm dat sounds do-able, "walk-able"... right? Ok wait... 1.2 miles is around 2km? Opps... Erk...ok la,  DO-ABLE  lah kot :P I told myself.

A: Greyhound Station

B: Holiday Inn Express

my preJourney uncle-google-map

Haha... Looking at the map - quite a number of blocks away. Since Im not a fan of cab/taxi, I knew I would walk!

Arrived SA around 4.20pm.

Started walking.... with my big lappy bag (dat has both my lappy and dslr in it), my luggage bag (a carry-on luggage-sized trolley bag).... and this is the most bijak one --> Heels :-)) a comfy heels but Heels nonetheless.. smarta**! ahahaha

Jalan punya jalan.......

geesh.. the map mmg penipu gk aar... jauh gk! :)) Dan sampaiiii!! and Room! trus la lompat dan landing... PENAT!!

Reason to love Hotwire:

so much space... but all alone!  -_-'

Rested a while... called my friends to inform them I arrived safely.... refresh... solat.... then.. ok.. time to jalan-jalan! Packed light... and walked to Market Square.

In the map above (in between Dolorasa and W Commerce St, opposite N Santa Rosa Ave)

This place has very strong Mexican influence.Most of the things here are Mexican, even the people (mexican heritage). For a while there, I really felt like I was in Mexico.

One good thing about travelling is... culture.

And this place obviously doesnt lack that.

Observing people.... walking pass the crowded market....

But, I didnt make too much contact with people, or unnecessary conversations.

1. young lady singing a spanish song (she got great vocal)

2. around Market Square

3. market square indoor.... they were having some performances by kids

4. the bridge concert - outdoor concert, well... under a overhead bridge...

Did some Mini shopping... mostly keychains and magnets.

Then, it was getting dark, so I went back to the hotel....

After Isya', I went out.. to the Riverwalk area.

Nice Lighting around the River area... tadaaa:

There's RiverBoat Ride..... but I just missed the last boat.. and decided to do it next morning. better on daytime, more things to see maa.

So I just walked along the riverwalk....

Went in some shops... window shopping....magnet shopping :P

simply... enjoying the night breeze.

HAHAHHAHAHAHA

GANAS SAUCES!!!

It was almost 11,
Not even the time for Cinderella to go back... but it was for me!
but on my way back to my hotel.... bumped into this...



Ya Ya OK....

I got cha hint... go back early before I turn into a pumpkin or tomato rite....

Ok....

:P

So back I went... walking in lightspeed.... and as soon as I got in my room... Kebooom!

Open laptop, upload pictures, went online.. duh!

Ok... I really needed my beauty sleeeeepp badly... and need energy to go jalan-jalan next day...

sO..... 

Zzzzzzzzz 



My Lone-Star Adventure - Part 1

TEXAS... (Early April 2011)

... one of the states in USA that has its own remarkable identity (known as the Lone Star State). Is it a common touristy state? I'm not sure... maybe not so much, compared to NY,DC,CA..

Well, my visit to Texas was not really a touristy one either. I went there to visit my friends... 2 of them in 2 different cities of Texas. I brought along my laptop and work, and stayed with Elen for 3 days... and we didnt really go out. It was my 3rd month in the US, and I was quite homesick, so it was very therapeutic to see familiar "homey" faces.

From Charlotte to Dallas: Transit in Atlanta (AirTran)

then back from Houston, direct flight to Charlotte. (US Airways)

Another friend, Eli, lived in Houston (now pindah dah)... While I was speaking to Eli about the arrangement to go there, since I planned to take the bus ride, she did suggest I make a de-tour to San Antonio, maybe a few hours stop, but I was not quite confident to go sightseeing all by myself. She told me it's safe to travel... and later suggested one night stay if I want to have a better look of that place, maybe if she might be able to arrange to come over if her husband were to be on leave. After series of phone calls, I needed to confirm and buy my tickets... so assuming it's okay, and thinking of the possibility of her coming over, I bought a ticket from Dallas to San Antonio, and from San Antonio to Houston on the next day. But, later it was confirmed she can't come over... and I was like.... erk... Miscommunication 101... Ok.... "I'm going to San Antonio all by myself?" For someone who is not really a risk taker, this is even a shock to myself.

Travelled with Greyhound Bus

Bus Ride from Dallas (from Richardson)... they stopped in Waco, and Austin on the way

Bus Ride from San Antonio, straight to Houston (but the bus was delayed for 3 hours) :||  !!

I asked myself a few times.... How confident am I? How good am I in learning my ways in new places? How strong am I to face obstacles that might come along the way? I decided to go ahead... I did pray, Du'a a lot that everything will go smoothly.

One day adventure... a Lone Ranger in the Lone-star State...

So... ok... let's go break a leg.

A small town known as Richardson, next to Plano. Took the bus from here, then to Dallas city (half an hour)....

It was Sunday. Some big cities in the US.... they are kinda dead on weekends. (same goes with Charlotte downtown). So yaa... it feels like "I am Legend" movie set :P

I had 1 hour + in Dallas... so I just walked around some streets to get some shots

I am Legend movie set... Will Smith in the car (according to my fantasy) :P

"I am a stranger traveling from the East, seeking that which is lost....
                          I am a stranger traveling from the West, it is I whom you seek...." (movie dialog :P)

Ok... walking back to the Greyhound Station....

This street is near memorial JFK (didnt know it was just next to the red building). He was shot 2 blocks from here.

Ok...
Hop on the bus

real cow aar????

no laa... this one oni real maa...

Hehe... Good decision to take the bus... get to see the views...

Waco:

Continue the journey...

Cowboy Hatsss.... waaa...nakk

5 hours bus ride....
I reached San Antonio around 5pm....
:-)

So basically what I did in Plano (Elen place), was.... cook, eat, chat, and do work. Haha...
Love the chat part...... It's been years since I last met her, or had time to really talk to her...
I missed her so much.... so it was so so great to see her, and her family :-)

Thank you elen... for having me :*


End of part 1... yeehaw!