Wandering Traveller

A day out just seemed right on this bright spring day in Houston Texas, little humidity and temperatures in the low 70’s. It took me a while to decide which direction to go but the beach seemed appealing with the fine weather. Where else but Galveston would it be fun to just go around and enjoy the crispy air and the sound of the waves.

10.00 am and am out with James my friend. Started off Space Center Boulevard and drove about a mile when we found what an interesting place seemed for a cold one. The sign read Cullen’s and next to it was Big Shot. Soon as we got there James decided not to proceed with me. He had been enticed by the excellent service and the beauty of the place with its executive but soothing and relaxing atmosphere which is perfect after a hard day’s work and an eventful week at school. I soon as I took a few pictures and admired the Aroma and the breeze outside where James settled down, I took off. Moments later I was passing through the Space Center museum.

This is where you can have actual simulation of space shuttles that have actually be used by NASA to go to space. I took this picture right from the road whislt I was waiting for the lights, but it looks great and makes me think of going there next time to have a feel of the real thing.

In a few minutes, I was on Sam Houston Toll way instead of Interstate 45, how crazy of me, whatever I was thinking at the time. In a bit I was approaching a toll gate, that’s when I realized I had taken a wrong turn somewhere. My window has no eztag—a pass authorizing the right of passage through the gate. Neither did I have change to pay, except two dimes that have been lying on my dash for almost a year now. With little no options, I just ran by the eztag gate, and decided to sort that one out later. Regardless of the incident, I decided to enjoy my trip. In the meantime I was enjoying the air as it blew over through my rolled out windows.

Thinking about whether to still go to Galveston or head to Kemah, I decided Kemah would also be great. So I made a few turns and was in Pearland on my way to Kemah. Then I discovered a cemetery in Pearland that I had heard about in my Humanities class. So I stopped by, and was amazed by what I saw. Beauty is an understatement, this place looked to be specifically designed to appeal to the eye and comfort the mind. Even though it’s a place of rest for our fallen brothers, sisters, parents, heroes and many more. It’s a place where you would go and have a quiet time reflect on life and appreciate beauty.

I continued to circle the well organized and paved cemetery, and made frequent stop overs to admire different sections of the cemetery. I took pride at the wrong turn I had taken earlier that made me arrive at this spot. And I immediately told myself that I was going to Galveston to see another cemetery and of course see the beach.

On my way, I listened to KSBJ 92.2 FM one of the usual stations that I listen on Sundays, a Christian channel that usually plays music, that just uplifts me most of the times and inspires my innermost. The forty five minute drive seemed to have taken ten minutes. It was just so exciting seeing the things that I usually see with a different thought and mind.

Before I got to the Seawall which I had planned to be where I would spend most of the time relaxing and enjoying the ocean breeze and sun; I came across this grand parish which with just its appearance, struck and captivated me. Without thinking, I took a turn and stopped by to enjoy such a magnificent structure. It was the St Patrick Cathedral which was erected many years ago. It stand gigantically among other churches and buildings surrounding it.

The walls still look solid and well maintained. There was obviously a service in progress as I could tell from the vast number of vehicles parked around it. I walked around the entire plot, on a walk that took me over 10 minutes. Within the campus is a vast school and what seemed to be minister’s quarters or residences. Quite remarkable was the tower that stands so tall carrying the bell and also the historical architectural design at which it was built. Knowing that there was a lot more to see before my time ran out. Before I could see the cemetery there, I left right for the sea wall.

Parking was a problem as the road along the sea was fully parked with cars of all type. Black, Blue, White, Red and Yellow. Sedans, Vans, SUVs and Wagons. Lexus, Benz, Toyotas, Fords and Hondas. It was just one beach with a variety of people with a semmingly common goal. To relax and shake off whatever they had to. More relaxing was the music that seemed to be playing from cars, Motor Bikes and Clubs. After roaming for ten minutes I found a spot and got out of my little car and walked right on to the beach.

I grabbed my camera to capture memories and started walking along the beach. Everyone just seemed so relaxed and minding their own business. Some lying under the umbrellas beautifully lined up on the sand. And the kids running around, chasing the waves. Tempted to get into the water I took a few steps into the water. And yeah it was so cool and refreshing. It made sense why all the people take long trips to just chill in this place. I continued walking before I found a spot to just sit and rest.

After a while I looked at my time and it was 2.48 pm. It had been over fifty minutes sitting on that beach just listening to the waters hit the shore and kids playing, and the music making me feel in a different world from the normal one where it’s all school and work. Elevators and stairs. Books and Computers. Time was not on my side at this point but I still had one more place to visit. The cemetery.

So, I walked to my car, and instructed my GPS locator to guide me. Sooner than I realized, I was at the ----- cemetery. I drove through the gate and made a stop to have a closer look that I had planned. I walked out of the car and started going around. As I was driving in it I immediately noticed the difference with the garden cemetery I had earlier seen. This looked to me like a community cemetery or a city cemetery because of the care that seemed to lack around. The bushes were quite overgrown although beautiful as most had bloomed into beautiful flowers. But they made it hard to maneuver through the paths. The tombstones were however fascinating and astonishing to look at. They were several small mausoleums and different kinds of carvings and statues. On one side of it a busy street—Broadway with cars passing by all the time. And on all the other sides streets with houses. It is right in the middles of town so to say. Surrounded by a fence on all four fronts. I went all over taking pictures that would be a reminder of the experience. When I decided to head back it was 3.30 pm.

My return trip would be much of a reflection. I took Broadway heading to Interstate 45 when I saw an interesting structure that I decided to take a picture of. It was right of Broadway opposite the court. As I was coming out of my car to get a clear shot of it. A dog ran out of an abandoned house towards me chasing me away. It seemed so vicious and ready to tear me apart. So I jumped back into the car and started driving away. Big Doggy though was ready to see me off his territory and kept running after the car as I drove off. Startled and perplexed with where this dog had come from to chase me and wanting to get me, I left Galveston going back home.

A day well spent, adventurous and educative. I had enjoyed one spring day in Texas. Not being much of a traveler I thought this was worth it and will make it a habit just going out there and experience the other side of town. It started by missing a turn, ended up at a cemetery. Got motivated by its beauty to see another. Went to Galveston and had a great time. Such is a day of an amateur traveler.

The Silent Garden

Visiting a cemetery can be a little creepy and uncomfortable especially when one believes in ghosts. But they can make fascinating destinations. Some cemeteries have beautiful work of art, scenery and landscape especially when there is good flora and fauna. The historical substance behind them can also be intriguing, with the tombstones sometimes suggesting life stories. Sometimes one may find famous people they never knew about. One of the fascinating cemeteries that would appeal to one’s imagination is Glenwood Cemetery.

Founded in 1834, Glenwood is a garden-style cemetery lying along the Buffalo Bayou in Downtown Houston. Its visual appeal, history and sculpture has made it a natural attractive resting place for America’s elites. It includes the gravesites of the last president of Texas, Senators, Congressmen, U.S. Ambassadors, Governors, War Veterans, and numerous other prominent businessmen and residents.

Most of the graves are family graves where family members are buried together. This is particularly due to the fact that the plots are sold and are usually high cost. According to Suzanne Turner and Joanne Wilson, humanities scholars and authors of the book Houston’s silent garden, the first advertisement for Glenwood Rural Cemetery appeared in the City Directory 1889. It said that there was a variety of plots up for grabs at different prices depending on its location along the cemetery drive, closeness to special features or ornamentation that is desirable.

A drive within the cemetery is enjoyable due to the well paved roads that have been well-thought-out and planned to allow parking along the roads and for easy accessibility of the entire cemetery.

The artistic sculptures are beauty to the eyes and tell unique stories of the people that rest under them. Common are angels—some young, others old, female and other male. One of the interesting ones was on the Hill family monument—a weeping angel. The sculpture is called the Statue of Grief. Originally sculpted in 1894, the angel bends over the tomb in grief for the departed. Resting there are three people, Abbie Hill (1866- 1903), Judge E.P. Hill (1838-1920) and Mary Anna Bradfield (1841-1930). As it Anne who was the daughter was the first one to pass that brought so much grief to the family. To show how much she meant to them and how much grief was in their hearts resulting from her departure, they erected the Statue of Grief.

Another interesting statue portraying grief is one  on the grave of Dr. Allen George Heard (1882-1927). According to Suzanne and Joanne, the sculpture called solitude was brought by his wife Ellen Lyon Heard from France.

To make everything more exciting is beautiful vegetation within the cemetery. Glenwood is splendidly endowed with oaks and pines. The scenic beauty is inviting, with beautiful landscapes that give it a superfluous look. Although some of the old oaks are reported to have been lost to winds and hurricane. One of the oldest oaks however still stands in the north side of the cemetery. It is now held by metal bars to keep the heavy branches from falling and damaging some grave stones. With the Bayou taking another shape, the cemetery will even became more beautiful than ever.

When the cemetery was started, the planners and shareholders had the vision to create a site that people would rest but also a beautiful garden that would preserve the history of Texas. Their ideas have lived to expectation and they continue to live today. Currently they Glenwood Cemetery welcomes families of all religions and cultures. Cemetery lots of any size, from single burial spaces to family estates. Such diversity is seen by the different types of graves in the cemetery, the statues, and sculptures. They all show a diversity in the nationalities, religions and cultures of the people buried there. However because of the attraction that it gets coupled with the significant investments that are made into it, it usually attracts the elite people.

Although we see the beautiful art within as we celebrate our loved ones gone, the story of Glenwood however lies not only in the beauty of the sculptures and flowers and trees. It’s a story that tells us a lot about Houston. We can see that as early as 1871 when the cemetery was just being started, the people had already a vision of a beautiful garden style cemetery. This indicates the nature of the people that lived before us. That they had a vision, were organized and thoughtful. Their original plan has seen the present day beautiful Glenwood. A cemetery that is not just a resting place for our beloved departed, but one that one can take time off to just visit and meditate or just have to admire beauty and nature. One that can make one know more about the history of Houston. Glenwood cemetery, a silent resting place, guarded by angels.

Expand your palate

Expand your palate

On a Saturday afternoon, I set out on a journey to challenge my taste buds to some different cuisine. Destination—Rice Village, Houston. When I got there neither me nor my friend who came along had an idea what to try. French, Russian, Portuguese, Spanish, German, Greek food? Finally, we ended up at  Spanish restaurant—the Mi Luna.

Spanish dishes have their own legacy in the food kingdom, with a wide variety of dishes to choose from. To start with, I ordered the Caracoles con Champinones ­—Escargot or snails and mushrooms in white wine cream sauce. To keep us busy the friendly waiter offered some bread with a nice ordinary dip prepared from mixing olive oil, basil, mint and garlic. 

Caracoles con Champinones

 In no time, the Caracoles con Champinones was served. It was quiet a simple dish nicely presented in a white plate. To my amusement, the snails looked more like the mushrooms in size, not what I expected. I thought they would be a bit bigger in their hard shells that we might have had to dig into the shell to eat them. But well and good I was ready to eat. My first bite was the snail. It was nice, soft and not slimy as I thought. Overall the dish was hot and spicy which made it unique in its own way. But it was rather cold, I thought they would have been nicer served hot. The mushrooms were nicely done, not overly cooked, just firm but still soft. The sauce was just spectacular, looked to me like they just put in some Mayo, but the taste was a lot different. It had in it a taste of freshness and a very nice aroma. The dish was satisfying and prompted us to order more, but this time we chose the a different dish.

The Lengua Con Nueces.

As the braised veal tongue in walnut port wine sauce, the Lengua Con Nueces was placed on the table, I told myself that I was only going to taste it. Basically just the thought that it is a tongue put me off, though it looked appetizing. Contrary to my initial thought of it that it was going to be gummy and tough, it was tender. The sad face I had made as I took the first bite was suddenly gone. Soon I was laughing again with my friend as we enjoyed sharing the meal. The gravy was normal, nice thick texture and spicy. The tongue is cut into nicely shaped pieces, making it hard notice that it is a tongue which I thought is a good thing. Whist enjoying the meal we ordered a round of drinks to spice the experience.

 Coconut Tequila Lime Margarita

I ordered a frozen Coconut Tequila Lime Margarita, which was nice and crispy though I thought it was a bit stronger than most of the margaritas I have tasted, which I thought was cool. I enjoyed it and swore I would visit again some other time.

 Compared to Central African cuisine which is usually flat, the Spanish dishes are made more interesting with their unique combination of spices. The spices brought with them nice aroma making the food more enjoyable. Again, most Malawian dishes will be served individually with minimal combinations. For example, the meats will be served separate from the walnuts as was served the Veal tongue. And then the mushrooms and the snails would be different dishes. I thought that this is a wonderful way to create diverse tastes—an art of creating blending foods to create unique flavors of foods

Other than the sumptuous food served at the restaurant—the ambience and the cultural preservation that they try to maintain was exciting. All their walls had some Spanish features, each of the waiters knows Spanish. I could not help it but think about how they relate in their culture and how much the food brings them together.

Overall I enjoyed my Veal Tongue and Escargot making me look forward to more days of Spanish cuisine. They surely do have some versatility in their dishes earning them a spot in the world of good foods. The aroma and freshness that comes with their dishes is obviously captivating. They make food that makes you want to explore more of their heritage. As for me, what started out as a class assignment to try out new food marks the start of my journey of exploration.