Houston, We Have Humidity (and a Whole Lot of Stories)
okay, so i landed in *Houston a few days ago. honestly, i didn't choose Houston, it was a layover that turned into…well, a thing. my flight got rerouted because of some weird weather pattern back east (4671524, which feels like a code for ‘utter chaos’ if you ask me), and then my connecting flight was delayed. then delayed again. and then, i just…stayed.
i’m a freelance photographer, and usually i’m chasing light in Iceland or documenting street art in Berlin, but sometimes the best shots are the ones you don’t plan. and Houston? it’s…a lot. it’s sprawling, it’s humid, it’s got this weird energy that’s both overwhelming and kinda captivating. i just checked and it’s…like breathing soup out there, honestly. you’ll need a good deodorant.
i’ve been mostly sticking to the Montrose neighborhood, which seems to be where all the cool (and slightly grungy) stuff happens. there’s a ton of vintage shops, which is my weakness. i spent like, three hours in a place called “Retrocade” yesterday, pretending to be cool while failing miserably at pinball.
someone told me that the breakfast tacos at Laredo Taqueria are legendary, but you have to be prepared to fight for a table. apparently, it’s a whole thing.
i’ve been trying to get some decent street photography done, but the light is…challenging. everything feels washed out and hazy. i’m relying heavily on post-processing, which isn’t ideal, but hey, you work with what you’ve got. i’ve been experimenting with long exposures to try and capture the energy of the city, but it’s proving difficult. the humidity is messing with everything.
the weather data is kinda wild, actually. it’s 20 degrees Celsius, but it feels like 20.59. the humidity is at 97%, which explains why my hair is currently doing its own thing. the pressure is 1015, sea level is 1015, and ground level is 1012. i don’t know what any of that means, but it sounds important.
i overheard a conversation at a coffee shop (there are a lot of coffee shops here, which is good because i’m running on caffeine and desperation) about a supposedly haunted house in the Heights neighborhood. apparently, it’s been abandoned for years and people have reported seeing strange lights and hearing noises. i’m tempted to check it out, but i’m also a bit of a scaredy-cat. you can find some local ghost stories on this Houston Ghost Tours website.
i’ve been using Yelp to find places to eat, and so far, it’s been pretty reliable. i had some amazing Vietnamese food at a place called “Pho Binh” - highly recommend. i also heard that the barbecue is incredible here, but i haven’t braved the lines yet. Check out Yelp reviews for Houston BBQ.
my neighbors are…interesting. mostly just keeping to themselves, but i did have a brief conversation with an older gentleman who warned me about the traffic. he said, and i quote, “honey, you haven’t seen traffic until you’ve seen Houston traffic.” he wasn’t wrong. if you get bored, Galveston and San Antonio are just a short drive away.
a drunk guy at a bar told me to avoid driving near the stadium after a game. apparently, it’s absolute mayhem.
i’m starting to think this unplanned detour might actually be a good thing. it’s forcing me to slow down and explore a city i never would have considered visiting otherwise. it’s messy, it’s chaotic, and it’s definitely not what i expected, but that’s kind of the point, right? you can find more info about Houston on TripAdvisor. i'm also checking out this local Houston forum to get a feel for the place.
i’m not sure what tomorrow will bring, but i’m ready for it. even if it means more humidity and more questionable traffic decisions. i'm also thinking of checking out the Space Center Houston, because, well, it's Houston*.
You might also be interested in:
- https://votoris.com/post/the-real-cost-of-utilities-and-bills-in-nryanganj-dont-say-i-didnt-warn-you
- https://votoris.com/post/the-best-coworking-spaces-and-wifi-cafes-in-bulawayo
- https://votoris.com/post/panama-city-humidity-history-and-halffinished-thoughts
- https://votoris.com/post/cairo-egypt-drum-beats-and-dusty-streets
- https://votoris.com/post/healthcare-in-tulsa-what-actually-works-and-whats-a-total-scam