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Travel Guide
Houston
02
Quick view
05
Top 10 sights
12
Hotels
02
USA
08
Shopping in Houston
14
The great journey
03
Travel etiquette
08
Restaurants
04
Health
09
Nightlife
05
Phone calls & Internet
10
Calendar of events
© lightkey
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Quick view
Houston – a brief overview
Houston is a Texan city through and through, a super-sized, leather-booted, oilfinanced metropolis with a swagger in its stride. Rodeos and barbecues? You’re in
the right place. It might not be the most beautiful city in the USA, but it’s certainly
one of the largest (only New York, Los Angeles and Chicago are bigger) and its
size translates into everything from a buzzing arts scene to a hard-hitting nightlife.
Expect to encounter a heady dose of Southern hospitality, a full-to-bursting events
calendar and a genuinely absorbing history, stretching from the Civil War to the
Space Race.
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USA
General Information
Country overview
From its vast plains, snow-covered mountains, deep forests and strange rock
formations, to soaring skyscrapers and a thunderous cultural scene, the USA is a
collage of extremes. Nothing can prepare you for your first glimpse of Manhattan's
unforgettable skyline, your first ride in a yellow cab, the ubiquitous hamburger
joints, yawning expanses of prairie, the sweet strains of New Orleans jazz, or the
neon-lit excesses of Las Vegas.
Marvel at the thunderous spectacle of 12,000-year-old Niagara Falls in northern
New York, or seek an antidote to urban chaos amidst the flat farmland of the
Midwest. Then there are the black hills of South Dakota, the dramatic mountain
and ocean landscape of California's Pacific Coast Highway and the world-famous
Grand Canyon.
Geography
Covering a large part of the North American continent, the USA shares borders
with Canada to the north and Mexico to the south. The country has coasts on the
Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic oceans, the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. The
State of Alaska, in the northwest corner of the US, is not part of the continental US;
it is separated from the rest of the USA by Canada. Similarly, Hawaii is not part of
the “lower 48” states; it lies in the central Pacific Ocean.
The country's dependent territories are offshore and have distinct geographies of
their own; the majority are islands.
The third-largest country in the world (after the Russian Federation and Canada),
the USA has an enormous diversity of geographical features, including mountains,
plains, and coastal zones. Though there are many cities that are densely
populated with more manmade features than natural ones, there are also vast rural
areas that are far more sparsely populated. The climate ranges from subtropical to
arctic, with a corresponding breadth of flora and fauna.
General knowledge
Key facts
Population: 321,2 millions
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Population Density (per sq km): 32
Capital: Washington, DC.
Language
English, with significant Spanish-speaking minorties (10.7%).
Currency
US Dollar (USD; symbol $) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of $100, 50,
20, 10, 5, 2 and 1, though the $2 bill is rare and is not in high circulation. Coins are
in denominations of $1, and 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 cents.
Electricity
120 volts AC, 60Hz. Plugs have two flat pins with or without a third round
grounding pin.
General business opening hours
Business hours are officially Mon-Fri 0900-1730, although an extended working
day is very common in certain sectors and it is not unusual for people to be
working well into the night or over the weekend.
Public holidays
Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2017 - December 2018 period.
2017
New Year’s Day: 1 January 2017
Martin Luther King Day: 16 January 2017
President’s Day: 20 February 2017
Memorial Day: 29 March 2017
Independence Day: 4 Juyi 2017
Labor Day: 4 September 2017
Columbus Day: 9 October 2017
Veterans Day: 10 November 2017
Thanksgiving Day: 23 November 2017
Christmas: 25 December 2017
2018
New Year’s Day: 1 January 2018
Martin Luther King Day: 15 January 2018
President’s Day: 19 February 2018
Memorial Day: 29 March 2018
Independence Day: 4 Juyi 2018
Labor Day: 3 September 2018
Columbus Day: 8 October 2018
Veterans Day: 12 November 2018
Thanksgiving Day: 22 November 2018
Christmas: 25 December 2018
All information subject to change.
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Travel etiquette
How to fit in
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Social Conventions
Americans are renowned for their openness and friendliness to visitors. The wide
variety of national origins and the USA's relatively short history has resulted in
numerous cultural and traditional customs living alongside each other. In large
cities, people of the same ethnic background often live within defined communities.
Shaking hands is the usual form of greeting in formal situation and in business
meetings. A relaxed and informal atmosphere is usually the norm. As long as the
fundamental rules of courtesy are observed, there need be no fear of offending
anyone of any background.
Gifts are appreciated if one is invited to a private home.
As a rule, dress is casual. High-end restaurants, hotels and clubs may require
more formal attire.
Smoking is increasingly unpopular in the US; it is essential to ask permission
before lighting up. Smoking is not allowed on city transport and restricted or
forbidden in public buildings in most states. There will be a posted notice where no
smoking is requested. An increasing number of states (including California and
New York) have banned smoking altogether in bars, restaurants and many public
places.
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Health
Health
Main emergency number: 911
Food & Drink
Food in the US is safe to eat, and the conditions under which food is prepared and
served are regulated by city, state, and federal health and hygiene agencies. In
many jurisdictions, it is mandatory for restaurants to have a certificate of health or
hygiene, as well as the current grade they have been assigned, posted visibly.
Although America is famous for its fast food and obesity rates, the local and fresh
food movement is very popular in many areas, especially cities, making it easy to
eat healthy. A variety of options also makes it easy for people with special dietary
needs to find food that suits them, whether their needs are due to health reasons or
to religious requirements.
Tap water is considered safe to drink in the US and is often offered in restaurants
before bottled water. Bottled water is available throughout the country, however,
both in restaurants and shops, for those who prefer not to drink tap water.
Other Risks
The US is generally considered a safe destination for world visitors. Occasional
outbreaks of disease, such as West Nile Virus (a mosquito-borne illness) and
H1N1 have occurred in recent years, however. Frequent hand-washing and
general practices of good hygiene are encouraged to protect oneself against all
types of illness.
Another concern with regard to safety is the possibility of terrorist attacks such as
the one that occurred on September 11, 2001. City, state, and federal agencies
have stringent anti-terrorism practices in place, however, and direct threats are
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infrequent.
Contractual physician of Lufthansa
Prof.Taegtmeyer, Heinrich
University of Texas
Med. School
Cardiology
6431Fannin MSB I.246
Houston
Tx 77030
USA
Tel. +1-713-5006567 / 5006569
Please note that Lufthansa accepts no responsibility for the treatment nor will it
bear the cost of any treatment.
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Phone calls & Internet
Phone calls & Internet
Telephone/Mobile Telephone
Dialing Code: +1
Telephone
For emergency police, fire or medical services in major cities, dial 911. The
following codes denote toll-free (freephone) numbers: 800, 855, 866, 877 and 888.
Mobile Telephone
Foreign mobile telephones only work if they are tri-band or quad-band; charges are
high. Visitors can also hire a mobile telephone. Pre-pay cell phones can be
purchased from a variety of retail outlets, including drug stores.
Internet
There are internet cafés in most urban areas, and an increasing number of Wi-Fi
hotspots. Many coffee shops offer free Wi-Fi. Many of the international airports offer
internet access too.
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Top 10 sights
Top 10 sights in Houston
The Museum of Fine Arts Houston
One of the country’s largest museums, with excellent collections of art from all
corners of the globe. The complex is made up of two main gallery buildings and a
sculpture garden, as well as a movie theatre.
1001 Bissonnet Street
Opening times:
77005 Houston
Tue-Wed 1000-1700
USA
Thu 1000-2100
Tel: 713 639 7300
Fri-Sat 1000-1900
Sun 1215-1900
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www.mfah.org
Space Center Houston
‘Houston, we have a problem.’ Take a tour of NASA’s famed Mission Control and
discover more about moon landings and space research. It’s located roughly a 45minute drive out of town.
1601 NASA Parkway
Opening times:
77058 Houston
Daily 1000-1900
USA
Tel: 281 244 2100
www.spacecenter.org
Houston Museum of Natural Science
Billed as one of the 10 most visited museums in the USA, this cornucopia of
natural and scientific exhibits covers everything from Texan wildlife to preColumbian archaeology.
5555 Hermann Park Drive
Opening times:
77030 Houston
Daily 0900-1800
USA
Tel: 713 639 4629
www.hmns.org
Menil Collection
Exhibiting the private art collection of the gallery’s founders, John and Dominique
de Menil, this attraction is free to enter and displays an impressive array of worldclass works – from surrealist paintings to decorative sculptures.
1533 Sul Ross Street
Opening times:
77006 Houston
Wed-Sun 1100-1900
USA
Tel: 713 525 9400
www.menil.org
Discovery Green
A five-hectare public park with a playground, fountains, a lake, a performance
space and various places to eat. Admission is free, and various events take place
throughout the year.
1500 McKinney Street
Opening times:
77010 Houston
Daily 0600-2300
USA
Tel: 713 400 7336
www.discoverygreen.com
Holocaust Museum Houston
Serving the memory of the 6 million who died in the Holocaust, the varied exhibits
at this museum also have a broader remit of combating prejudice in society –
among the items on show is a railcar of the type used by the Germans during
WWII.
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5401 Caroline Street
Opening times:
77004 Houston
Mon-Fri 0900-1700
USA
Sat-Sun 1200-1700
Houston
07
Tel: 713 942 8000
www.hmh.org
The Heritage Society at Sam Houston Park
Dedicated to the preservation of Houston’s historic buildings and cultural heritage,
the park plays home to a number of houses from different eras. There are guided
tours available.
1100 Bagby Street
Opening times:
77002 Houston
Tue-Sat 1000-1600
USA
Tel: 713 655 1912
www.heritagesociety.org
Glenwood Cemetery
A large, well-tended cemetery providing the final resting place for all manner of
local luminaries, from aviator Howard Hughes to groundbreaking heart surgeon Dr
Denton Cooley.
2525 Washington Avenue
Opening times:
77007 Houston
Daily 0700-1700
USA
Tel: 713 864 7886
www.glenwoodcemetery.org
Houston Toyota Center
As the home stadium of basketball team the Houston Rockets, two-times winners
of the NBA Championship, the venue is a big draw for sports fans. The season
runs from around October to June.
1510 Polk Street
Opening times:
77002 Houston
Various
USA
Tel: 713 758 7200
www.houstontoyotacenter.com
Lee and Joe Jamail Skatepark
Spectacular Skatepark, opened in 2008 in the Buffalo Bayou Park. Provides
Halfpipes, Ramps and Bowls for Starters and Experts in ca. 3000 squaremetres.
103 Sabine Street
Opening times:
77007 Houston
Daily 0900-2200
houstontx.gov/parks/ourparks/leejoepar
k.html
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Shopping in Houston
Shopping in Houston
Key Areas
There’s a huge amount of choice in Houston, with stand-out areas including West
Avenue (which attracts luxury retailers) and the more offbeat likes of Westheimer
Curve and Historic Heights, both of which give the chance to browse for vintage
fashions and unusual keepsakes.
Markets
Farmers’ markets are a common sight in Houston these days. The largest of the
weekly set-ups is the Urban Harvest Market (3000 Richmond Avenue), which
takes place on Saturdays and Sundays and sells meats, fruit, honey, eggs and
more. The event also generally features live music and cooking demonstrations.
Shopping Centres
With around 400 stores and restaurants to choose from, The Galleria (5085
Westheimer Road) is the largest shopping centre in Texas – Macy’s, Ralph Lauren
and Cartier are among the tenants. There’s even an ice rink. Elsewhere, Memorial
City Mall (303 Memorial City Way) is another centre with an ample array of familiar
brands.
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Restaurants
Restaurants in Houston
The figures tell their own story – the city has over 8,000 restaurants showcasing
cuisines from more than 35 differentcountries and regions. Houston regularly gets
lauded for its food scene, and rightly so.
Hugo’s
Garlanded with awards, this is seen as one the top Mexican restaurants in the
USA.
1600 Westheimer Road
Price: Expensive
77006 Houston
USA
Sambuca
A popular ‘rockin’ American grill’ with live music and dancing and an appealing
menu of tapas-style plates.
909 Texas Avenue
Price: Moderate
77002 Houston
USA
Tel: 713 224 5299
Uchi
Fans of Japanese food should make a beeline for this enjoyable restaurant, run by
sushi master Tyson Cole.
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Price: Moderate
77006 Houston
USA
Peli Peli Houston
Anything goes in Texas, and this South African fusion restaurant is no exception.
110 Vintage Park Boulevard
Price: Moderate
77070 Houston
USA
Barnaby’s Cafe
Serving up everything from meatloaf to Tex Mex, this is somewhere to head for a
well-priced feed.
414 West Gray Street
Price: Cheap
77019 Houston
USA
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Nightlife
Nightlife in Houston
H-Town knows all about letting its hair down, whether you’re heading to the bars
and saloons of the Downtown district or the arty hangouts of the Montrose
neighbourhood.
Absinthe Brasserie
Specialising in the notorious wormwood-based drink beloved by 19th-century
artists and writers.
609 Richmond Avenue
77006 Houston
USA
Flying Saucer Draught Emporium
Heaven for lovers of draught beer, with food also served to soak up the ale.
705 Main Street @ Capitol
77002 Houston
USA
Tel: 713 228-9472
Numbers Nightclub
An alternative-minded music club that has hosted the likes of Iggy Pop and the
Pogues.
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300 Westheimer Road
77006 Houston
USA
Firehouse Saloon
A country bar and dance hall on the Southwest Freeway.
5930 Southwest Freeway
77057 Houston
USA
L&L Bar
A classy late-night bar at Hotel Icon, with craft cocktails and fine wines.
220 Main Street
77002 Houston
USA
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Calendar of events
Calendar of events
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
This is cowboy country and the annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is one
of the most eagerly anticipated events of the year in Texas. The show features all
the great rodeo classics such as bareback bronc riding, steer wrestling, bull riding,
tie-down roping and chuck wagon racing. Other attractions and entertainment
include live country music shows, a shopping and food arena, a carnival and the
ever-popular hideout country dancing event.
7 - 26 March 2017
www.rodeohouston.com
Venue: Reliant Stadium
Art Car Parade
First held in 1988 with just a handful of vehicles and a few bemused onlookers, the
annual Art Car Parade is now the biggest event of its kind in the world. Exhibits
range from huge, high-spec hot rods to fighter jets manned by drivers in fancy
dress. Costumed dancers and musicians join the parade on foot as do people on
bikes, roller skates and just about every other means of transport you can think of.
6 - 9 April 2017
www.thehoustonartcarparade.com/
Venue: Parade goes from Waugh to Bagby and back again.
Houston Ultimate Women's Expo
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Houston Ultimate Women's Expo offers two all-inclusive days of fun, inspiration,
free goodies, pampering, shopping and celebrity speakers, including actress NeNe
Leakes. There will be complimentary haircuts and makeovers, cooking classes,
jewelry and candle making, "do-it-herself" home improvement workshops, and
much more. Grab your best girlfriends and get inspired!
20 - 21 April 2017
www.houstonwomensexpo.com
Venue: Reliant Center
WorldFest Independent Film Festival
Billed as the oldest independent film and video festival in the world, the annual
Worldfest in Houston dates back to 1961 and has been entertaining film fans,
students and industry experts for decades. Each year the festival showcases
American and international independent feature films with a spotlight on an
individual country and its films.
21 - 30 April 2017
www.worldfest.org
Venue: AMC Studio
Houston LGBT Pride
One of the party highlights of the year for the city, the celebration takes place in the
Montrose neighbourhood with live music, the Divas of Diversity comedy show,
exhibitions, artists, performers, singing competitions and multiple stages. The
week-long celebrations culminate in the parade which snakes along Westheimer
in the evening.
June 2017
www.pridehouston.org
Venue: Montrose area
Freedom Over Texas
This is one of the city's signature events. The city celebrates American
Independence Day with live entertainment and the largest land-based fireworks
display in the USA. A number of stages keep toes tapping during the day featuring
bands playing country, zydeco, jazz, pop and Latin music. In addition there is a
Freedom Market, beer garden and display of military vehicles. But the event that
everybody has come for is when the sky over Houston explodes with fireworks.
4 July 2017
www.houstontx.gov/july4
Venue: Eleanor Tinsley Park
Houston Shakespeare Festival
Each summer the Houston Shakespeare Festival performs a season of
Shakespeare plays in the Miller Outdoor Theatre bringing the bard to the residents
of Houston, free of charge. Take a picnic, blanket and enjoy some high quality
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entertainment. There are now seats available under a canopy and tickets for this
covered area are free but are given out at the box office in person on the day of the
performance between 1030 and 1300.
July - August 2017
www.houstonfestivalscompany.com
Venue: Miller Outdoor Theatre, Hermann Park
Wings Over Houston
The skies over Ellington Airport buzz with a spectacular air show featuring
demonstrations of civilian, modern military and vintage aircraft. In addition there
are spectacular displays from national and international acts such as the USAF
Thunderbirds. There are static displays of dozens of modern and vintage aircraft
and fun things for the whole family including flight simulators.
20 - 22 October 2017
www.wingsoverhouston.com
Venue: Ellington Airport
Thanksgiving Day Parade
Thanksgiving Day Parade in downtown Houston is the biggest holiday parade in
Texas, attracting crowds of 400,000 people. Highlights include fantastic floats,
high-flying hot air balloons, marching bands, cheerleaders and celebrity guests
which all wind their way through the streets of downtown, from 9am onwards,
starting at Texas and ending at McKinney.
23 November 2017
www.houstontx.gov/thanksgivingparade/
Venue: Downtown Houston
Uptown Tree Lighting
Uptown Holiday Lighting is an annual event held on Thanksgiving evening in
Uptown Houston. Kicking off the holiday season, this fun and charming family
event is lit up by more than half a million twinkling lights on Christmas trees along
Post Oak Boulevard, and it comes with festive holiday music, an impressive
fireworks show and a special appearance by Santa Claus who turns on the lights.
23 November 2017
www.uptown-houston.com
Venue: Post Oak Boulevard
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Hotels
Hotels in Houston
Given the sheer size of the Greater Houston area, visitors can find an almost
overwhelming amount of accommodationoptions. The city has plenty of luxurious
properties to indulge in, but also has much at a lower price point too.
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Hotel ZaZa
A stylish boutique option in the Theatre District.
5701 Main Street
Category: Expensive
77005 Houston
USA
St Regis Houston
A luxurious chain hotel with a spa and outdoor pool.
1919 Briar Oaks Lane
Category: Expensive
77027 Houston
USA
The Lancaster
A small, upmarket hotel occupying a historic building in the theatre district.
701 Texas Avenue
Category: Moderate
77002 Houston
USA
Hotel Indigo Houston at the Galleria
Well located for shops and eateries, this is a good bet for both business and
leisure stays.
51260 Hidalgo Street
Category: Moderate
77056 Houston
USA
Red Roof Inn Houston
An affordable, no-frills choice with free Wi-Fi, located in the part of the city known
as the Energy Corridor.
15701 Park Ten Place
Category: Cheap
77084 Houston
USA
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The great journey
Free spirits in the southern U.S.
The great journey: Texas
© Felix Sanchez
City life and the Wild West exist side by side in Texas. And soon the southern U.S.
state will have a Formula 1 racetrack, too. Traveling through Texas, we encounter
artists, free spirits, an acrobatic cowboy, an astronaut – and a highway to the sky
Day 1 – Houston: Space for
art
© Felix Sanchez
Houston’s greatest treasure is not something you see at first glance. Dense traffic
rumbles along the four-lane highway, past the signs announcing the same old
chains of stores and snack bars. In the center of the fourth-largest city in the United
States, skyscrapers tower like exclamation points into the blue expanse above.
Inside them, the air conditioning is on full power. So far, so American. But this is a
city with more to offer – art, for example, in the museum district with its Menil
Collection and Isabella Street galleries. This city has an excellent network of artists
and collectors, and studio spaces here are cheap.
“Houston has always had a vibrant creative scene,” says artist Thédra CullarLedford, 42. “It grew rich on oil, and with the money came art, as the oil barons’
wives needed something to occupy them.”
She works on the second floor of her house in the north of the city. Two cats play
tag around the studio, brushes and paints cover the table, and there’s a stack of
dolls in large plastic boxes. These are her models. She is just completing a
commission: a picture of a doll in a tutu. Cullar-Ledford was raised close to the
Mexican border by her art teacher parents, and she picked up painting quite
naturally as a child. Later, she studied art, first in California, then in Oxford,
England. “Painting really is the only thing I can do,” she says.
When Cullar-Ledford paints a picture, she tells a story – of beauty, of friendship, or
of identity. Seven years ago, she moved to Houston with her husband and two
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sons. They have four studio containers in their garden that they rent to artists and
plan to build another four to make more space for art in Houston.
Day 2 – Houston to Austin:
Soundtrack of a city
© Felix Sanchez
The further we get from Houston, the narrower the highway becomes as we drive
west, past brush and pastureland, cattle herds and oil pumps, until the Austin
skyline comes into view on the horizon. Austin, the university city and seat of
government on the Colorado River, is home to 50,000 students. Like the city’s other
740,000 citizens, they evidently enjoy a night out because Austin has over 200
music bars, clubs and concert halls that play a wide range of music from blues,
rock and indie to the biggest local sound, Texas country and western swing.
“The city made it easy for me,” say Tje Austin, 29. He sports an Afro and a broad
smile, and his music sounds like sunshine, youth and rumpled beds. Seven years
ago, while studying computer science at the University of Texas, Austin bought
himself a guitar and began writing songs. Three people heard his first public
performance, then his audiences and the clubs he played grew bigger.
Last year, he made it into the final round of the talent show “The Voice” and sang in
front Christina Aguilera. “The show really did me good,” he says. Good teachers,
new fans, a glimpse behind the scenes. But being in the spotlight hasn’t turned his
head: “I know exactly where I stand.” Austin is currently working on his third CD.
Does he have a dream? Yes, to keep making music and singing.
In the evening, the Bordertown Bootleggers play western swing to around three
dozen women and men at the Rattle Inn. A slow number prompts a tall man and his
partner to take to the dance floor and for a brief spell, they appear to forget
everything around them.
Day 3 – Austin to Bandera:
Formula 1 meets Wild West
© Felix Sanchez
We wanted to give the drivers a chance to make mistakes,” says engineer Oliver
Liedgens, 38, “although our motto, naturally, is safety first.” Liedgens is standing on
a green hill southeast of Austin, pointing down at a left bend unspectacularly called
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“T1.” The first of three layers of asphalt has just been laid down. Liedgens oversaw
the Circuit of the Americas racetrack project. His employer, the firm Tike based in
Aachen, Germany, also designed the Formula 1 tracks in Malaysia and Abu Dhabi.
Great expectations were riding on the new course – 5.5 kilometers, 20 bends, seats
for 120,000 spectators. The U.S. Grand Prix took place here November 16 -18,
2012, and it was the first time since 2007 that the Formula 1 circus had come to the
U.S. “We made the course as spectacular as possible and at many points created a
second race line so that drivers can overtake,” Liedgens explains. There’s still
plenty to be done and some 700 people are currently hard at it on the vast building
site. Incidentally, the winners in 2012 were Lewis Hamilton for McLaren-Mercedes
in front of Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull-Renault), who returned to win the Grand Prix
here in 2013.
We continue southwest and the country becomes hillier. Signposts point the way to
local ranches. Many owners rent rooms to guests, who come to experience a
couple of days’ Wild West. On the Twin Elm Guest Ranch near the small town of
Bandera, Kevin Fitzpatrick, 54, is doing his stuff for a group of children and adults.
Standing on his horse’s back, he sends his lasso skimming through the air,
dancing over his shoulder, his hat, his arm, as though guided by remote control;
you could easily picture him using his lasso to light a cigarette. Sandy-haired
Fitzpatrick is a trick roper and four years ago earned himself the title of Lasso World
Champion.
He has appeared on TV on the Jay Leno talk show and at the Super Bowl
American football championship. Some days, he gives four or even five shows.
When he’s not on the road, Fitzpatrick practises daily at his ranch in Bandera. “It’s
like dancing,” he says, “everyone has their own style.”
Fitzpatrick does his show at the Dixie Dude Ranch, too, which was started in 1906.
The present owner, stocky Clay Colony, 54, still keeps Longhorn cattle, horses and
goats, but he also rents 21 rooms and cabins to visitors. “We want to give them a
taste of our culture,” he explains. Guests can go riding twice a day, and in the
evening, gather around the campfire, listen to country music and dance. Before
Colony took over the ranch from his grandmother, he was vice-president of an oil
company in San Antonio. “But now I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else but here
in the peace and quiet of the countryside,” he says. The locals, many of them
musicians, artists and free spirits, are laid back and helpful, but also very traditional
in their values. “We are hippies,” says Colony, “but we are also cowboys.” When he
sits out on his veranda at night, gazing up at the stars, he knows he got it right.
Day 4 – Bandera via New
Braunfels to Corpus Christi:
German traditions
© Felix Sanchez
Big, fat raindrops hammer against the windshield and in the distance, there’s the
rumble of thunder, but that’s good news in Texas; the land needs rain. Over the
past few years, drought has sent feed prices skyrocketing, forcing many ranchers to
sell their herds. This morning, the sky clears quickly. We arrive in New Braunfels in
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the German Belt, a settlement founded by Prince Carl of Solms-Braunfels in 1845.
The German heritage of this town of 56,000 souls is still in evidence everywhere
you look – and especially so in early November, when the city celebrates its tenday sausage festival, the Wurstfest. That’s when The Sauerkrauts play German folk
music, “Gone with the Wurst” is performed on stage, and 160,000 visitors tuck into
potato pancakes and 25 tons of sausages. No record is kept of the quantity of beer
consumed.
As the landscape levels out, we drive past cornfields on both sides of the road. In
the marina of Aransas Pass on the Gulf of Mexico, there’s a good chance of
meeting Billie Kocian, 51. She takes her motorboat out into the shallow, fish-rich
waters of the bay and shows tourists how to catch redfish and sea trout. “I can smell
them,” says the tanned blonde, “it’s like hunting.” Kocian used to manage a
supermarket in Houston. Lots of stress, lots of sadness, a dark time; she started
drinking. But then she met her present husband, moved to the coast and learned to
fish. “I love it,” says Kocian, “it saved my life.” Every time she catches a fish, she
sends a prayer of thanks heavenward that everything turned out so well.
Day 5: Corpus Christi to
Houston: Reaching for the
stars
© Felix Sanchez
Back in Houston again. Visitors stand in line outside the Space Center theme park
next door to the NASA Mission Control Center. The exhibits inside the park,
designed by Disney’s illusionists, are space shuttles, space suits and lunar
modules, as well as colorful rockets on which children can play to heroic
background music. “This has nothing to do with what we actually did,” says Donald
Peterson, 78, shaking his head. The former natural scientist, Air Force pilot and
astronaut is standing in the space shuttle cockpit. He’s right at home in here, and
that’s no surprise because in 1983 he traveled on the Challenger’s maiden flight
into space. The four crew members’ days were minutely planned: seven hours of
sleep and then scientific experiments with little time left for breaks. Just once, when
they were flying over Hawaii at 18,000 miles per hour, Peterson took a couple of
minutes to admire the view.
He and a fellow astronaut, Story Musgrave, made the first space walk from a space
shuttle, working for over four hours outside. Even when his space suit developed a
leak for 25 seconds – no one knew why – Peterson did not allow himself to
become distracted. Back on board, the astronauts rewarded themselves with a dish
of strawberries. Did the flight change them? “Not in a spiritual sense,” replies the
likeable retiree, “but you learn to trust the people you work with.” He has mixed
feelings about NASA’s plans to settle Mars. Too many unsolved problems – the
radiation, the long flight. And anyway, it’s pretty good down here on Earth.
LH.com/travelguide
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Travel Guide
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Houston
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Lufthansa tip
Lufthansa offers a daily nonstop service from Frankfurt to Houston (IAH).
Visit meilenrechner.de to calculate how many miles you can earn on a
round-trip flight. lufthansa.com
LH.com/travelguide
Houston
18/18