Houston

I got up to see the house shrouded in mist, so no swimming then. Cory, Liz and I were the first to get up so we went for a walk on the beach. Liz and I disagreed on whether or not federal tax money should be used to rebuild New Orleans. She thinks that they should and I don't, I am not sure that we agreed to disagree, I just stopped fighting. As Cory pointed out to me later she has strong opinions and sometimes it may not be worth disagreeing with her. This paints an incomplete picture of Liz, but was just what struck me most on Sunday morning. Once all was tidied up at the house we went back to Houston and walked Cory's dog, Isis before going sightseeing. There were a couple of "houses" that I wanted to see and Cory said that he would take me as he hadn't seen them. The first "The Orange Show" is actually a small plot of land transformed by it's owner Jeff McKissack. Jeff felt that people should eat more oranges and he turned the land into a shrine to oranges using junk and ordinary building materials.It's very cool. Next we went to the "Beer Can" house. The owner covered his house in flattened beer cans, he concreted his garden and inserted cans, marbles and tiles into the surface. When asked why he did the garden he said that he was tired of cutting the grass. I loved the house, again not something that I expected to see in Houston.

Cory and I did a bit of shopping but our hearts weren't in it. We got some Gelato, it was so good. Of course I had to taste several flavours before I knew what I wanted and I am glad I did. One flavour was horrible, horrible ice cream shouldn't be allowed. It's a crime against nature! We grabbed a couple of movies and went back to Cory's. We sat on the porch as it was a beautiful,warm evening, drank beer and played drums. Cory has way more rhythm than me. The pizza arrived and the evening was complete. After dark we went in and watched the movies. It's funny that although I don't work I still really enjoy my weekends as if I do have a job and have to get up for work on the Monday. It may also be tied in with staying with people and obviously most of them have to work so the only time they can hang out with me is on the weekend.

I was sad to leave Cory's. I had only stayed a short time but I had felt really comfortable there and felt uneasy about moving to another city. I don't know why I still feel this way, I felt exactly the same way when I left Jessie in L.A.. I get comfortable and don't want to leave my comfort zone, which is ridiculous. I have managed to survive seven months of travelling here and I have made mistakes, spent more money than I needed to but I'm OK. I am on schedule, seen most of what I wanted to see and have enough money to see me through to the end of my trip. I may even have enough cash to buy some new luggage, which I don't need but want. I could just use a cheap weekend bag to get my things back to the U.K. after I give Meghan back her rucksack but I want a new suitcase. I have to go shopping, this could be more difficult than it sounds. I have gotten out of the shopping habit, I don't want to buy something I don't really need and then have to carry it. Before leaving Houston I sent another package, this time to Ian's house, it was cheaper than sending it back to my parents. Also there is stuff in there that I will need for St. Patrick's day in New York, beads and stuff.

I went to the Greyhound station, for once in a decent part of town and well connected to the city transport system. There is a metro rail stop a block away and across the street is the local bus station. Houston downtown is empty in the evening and on the weekends as it is mainly a business district but there are some stores as well restaurants and offices. I like Houston. For once I wasn't taking an early morning bus, San Antonio, my next stop is only three hours by bus from Houston. Like other stations there was a security guard on duty and she did check that everyone going into the waiting area did have a ticket. The bus was half empty, so I didn't have to sit next to anyone. San Antonio here I come.