Houston is strip malls, frontage roads, bad chain restaurants, heat, humidity, and mosquitoes the size of dump trucks. It’s too big, too hot, and too undeservedly full of itself. There’s nothing about it that I miss. Then again, I don’t have family there. I’m grateful to have had the experience of my decade there, but I’d never do it again.
Safe travels. I hope that your trip will bring you closer to those you miss and strengthen your appreciation for your life in Italy. You’re a very fortunate person…but you already knew that. 😊❤️
I've survived Houston only because I resisted living outside the loop, making my home first near Rice University and later in the Heights where I could almost convince myself that I was living in a town rather than a megalopolis. Once the reality of the city intruded a bit too rudely (two break-ins), I fled to the country only to find after eight short years that the ranchland once populated with longhorns and dotted with live oaks has been subdivided into suburbia and consumed by the city. I'd return to Italia, but I remember the Roma of 50 years ago...
Because you are Blanche, you are! What different lives one lives outside of the USA. I can't wait to escape and get out of here again. Don't want to wish my mother to heaven just yet, but I will be outta here within 30 days after my job is done. Enjoy your life....and enjoy your beautiful children!
Easier said than done, but I hope you are able to filter out the news and all of the b.s. going on in these parts while you're in the States so you can avoid the added stress. Have a wonderful time with your kids. Safe travels.
So right about Houston. I live here now and have been here for many years The return after living in Italy was a difficult transition for all the reasons you mentioned, although much, much worse now - that was 20+ years ago. My goal was to return to Italy and live there full time, with the biggest frustrations that a 20+ year old female had at the time, not applicable to me as a 50 yr old. I'm realizing the ERV visa is quite difficult to get with the financial requirements being a lot higher than what is stated on the consulate sites. My brother retired to Spain 2 years ago with no thought of ever returning to the U.S and is living a great life on a fraction of what he would be spending here with no worry about healthcare, horrendous property tax that we pay here and without having to deal with all the in-your-face nasty capitalism gone haywire. I just found your blog today and became a subscriber!
Houston is strip malls, frontage roads, bad chain restaurants, heat, humidity, and mosquitoes the size of dump trucks. It’s too big, too hot, and too undeservedly full of itself. There’s nothing about it that I miss. Then again, I don’t have family there. I’m grateful to have had the experience of my decade there, but I’d never do it again.
Safe travels. I hope that your trip will bring you closer to those you miss and strengthen your appreciation for your life in Italy. You’re a very fortunate person…but you already knew that. 😊❤️
I've survived Houston only because I resisted living outside the loop, making my home first near Rice University and later in the Heights where I could almost convince myself that I was living in a town rather than a megalopolis. Once the reality of the city intruded a bit too rudely (two break-ins), I fled to the country only to find after eight short years that the ranchland once populated with longhorns and dotted with live oaks has been subdivided into suburbia and consumed by the city. I'd return to Italia, but I remember the Roma of 50 years ago...
Because you are Blanche, you are! What different lives one lives outside of the USA. I can't wait to escape and get out of here again. Don't want to wish my mother to heaven just yet, but I will be outta here within 30 days after my job is done. Enjoy your life....and enjoy your beautiful children!
As usual, excellent perspective Thank you!
I love your writing, Stacey. And I love Italy. Hope you enjoy your trip!
Easier said than done, but I hope you are able to filter out the news and all of the b.s. going on in these parts while you're in the States so you can avoid the added stress. Have a wonderful time with your kids. Safe travels.
I was in Texas once, in San Antonio, for a conference. Never been back, have no desire to go back. Not impressed.
I spent a week in Houston one evening ...
Houston is what Los Angeles would be if you removed every last trace of culture and creativity.
Enjoy visiting your kids.
In bocca al lupo! Come back to us soon❣️
So right about Houston. I live here now and have been here for many years The return after living in Italy was a difficult transition for all the reasons you mentioned, although much, much worse now - that was 20+ years ago. My goal was to return to Italy and live there full time, with the biggest frustrations that a 20+ year old female had at the time, not applicable to me as a 50 yr old. I'm realizing the ERV visa is quite difficult to get with the financial requirements being a lot higher than what is stated on the consulate sites. My brother retired to Spain 2 years ago with no thought of ever returning to the U.S and is living a great life on a fraction of what he would be spending here with no worry about healthcare, horrendous property tax that we pay here and without having to deal with all the in-your-face nasty capitalism gone haywire. I just found your blog today and became a subscriber!