Texas, USA
Austin
It’s no secret that the image of America—like many places—is often skewed, shrouded in mystery, and fueled by speculation. Cowboys, sprawling ranches, and a deep sense of local patriotism? Sure, those weren’t unexpected. But the other stereotypes? Let’s say they make some people look at Texas with suspicion. Truthfully, even my expectations were a bit over-colorised. But as soon as I arrived, I realized something. Texas is, well… shockingly normal.
Houses of Austin
The U.S. is infamous for its car dependency—getting from point A to point B without a vehicle is almost unheard of in most places. Public transport is often overlooked outside of cities like NYC, and walking long distances is rare. So, imagine the surprise on people’s faces when I told them I spent an entire week crisscrossing places like Austin on foot, purely to stare at houses, explore neighborhoods, and observe how people go about their daily lives.
San Antonio
(…) the historic King William District, located just south of the bustling city center along the San Antonio River. This area is home to a number of magnificent 19th-century villas in Greek Revival, Victorian, and Italianate styles. Originally part of the old Mission San Antonio de Valero (commonly known as the Alamo grounds), the district was later developed primarily by German settlers—one of the major immigrant groups shaping the state of Texas at the time (…).
Space Center
If there was one place I absolutely wanted to visit as a child, it was not the Colosseum in Rome, or the Great Pyramids of Giza, but the Houston Space Center.
Like many boys my age, I was captivated by the idea of becoming an astronaut—conquering the Moon, venturing to distant planets, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. And you know what? My fascination with space hasn’t faded one bit.