We’re back in the States, more precisely in Texas, which for many Texans is not the US, but Texas ;-). In order to plan our further journey and to “arrive” again, we have settled for two days in Galveston, an island, one hour south of Houston. With temperatures of 33 degrees Celsius (84 degrees Fahrenheit) and a humidity of about 70%, the weather is similar to Tulum. Music by Barry White, who was born here in 1944, accompanies us in our planning 😉
Probably none of you have ever heard of Galveston. Here are a few facts that are amazing, especially considering how quickly we forget what’s going on in our history.
Galveston was the largest city in Texas and one of the largest ports in the United States until September 1900. The Great Galveston Hurricane, also known as the Great Storm of 1900, was the deadliest natural disaster in US history. About 6000 to 12000 dead. In addition to the dead, virtually every home in Galveston has suffered significant damage. About 4,000 houses were destroyed and about 30,000 people were left without a home. At this time Galveston had about 38,000 inhabitants. Although the city has made many efforts over the next few decades to overcome this catastrophe, it has never been able to regain its former size.
Hi, my name is Jürgen. Most know me as Jay. I know, this can be confusing. My new name was caused by hundreds of Starbucks cups, all labeled with different names. I have never encountered life as powerfully as it has in recent years and I should not be surprised that I have left behind the realm of quick and impersonal business and conforming to society’s expectations. I swapped my jacket for hiking clothes and shorts, the aftershave for bug spray, and my car for a camper.
2 Comments
Thank you, dear Dale and Mary! It was a pleasure to meet you there! We will definitely go back one day to explore the hill country and the central. It was so good to talk with you, as you know both of our worlds - Austria and the US. Hopefully see you once again! Enjoy life!
Dale Stow
Hello Juergen and Nina, it was a pleasure meeting you both at the RV park in Galveston. Great descriptions of your adventures as Mary and I have caught up to them all. We wish y’all the best of luck in your continuing journeys across North America looking for that perfect place to settle. Of course if you have ventured outside of the great state (. Country ) of Texas you have already left the perfect place and should finish your travel East and then just turn back around and look deeper into the hill country and central Texas. You were just on the edge of paradise when you were in Austin and San Antonio, just a little more west and you would not have turned toward the East. Anyways we wish you safe and happy travels. Maybe our paths will meet again. Best wish’s from both of us Dale and Mary Stow