Tuesday, January 06, 2004

Tis'nt The Season Anymore   So my trip to Eagle Pass, Texas  for Christmas and New Year's has come and gone, and yes, I miss being there.  Right this second one of the things I miss most is the weather. Never thought I'd say that about Eagle Pass, but being here in Germany and freezing various parts of my body off makes me appreciate the abundance of heat in south Texas.   Other things I miss:   Spending time with my mom:  I know she wishes I'd spent even more time with her, and I do, too, but it is hard to make everyone happy.  As it was I had more people I wanted to see and more things to do than I could ever get to in a week and a half.  But still, it was great getting to be with her.   Spending time with Marcela and her family:  The guardians of Franklin came through big time and made me feel welcome in their home even after asking them to hold onto my cat way beyond the time I originally asked for. Marcela also missed being home and she and I had a great time visiting all the places and eating all the food we missed most.  She was a big part in my having the best time I've ever had in Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras.   Hanging out with Walter and Rick:  You're not supposed to spend time with other guys.  You hang out with them, and it was great getting to do that again.  We drank way more beer than we should, ate more pizza than advisable, and talked about all the great times we used to have but perhaps never appreciated as much as we should.    Other highlights:   Dinner with Pablo and Julie in the new Applebee’s:  As Walter described it to me before I went, going into Applebee’s is like walking into your classroom -- you feel like you have to take roll with all the former students working or eating there.  But it was a lot of fun having a few drinks with a couple of my former co-workers and London-trippers.  We only got to talk for a couple of hours, and I wish I could have seen them again before I left, but there just wasn't enough time.   Seeing a hockey game:  Yep, I go to Texas to escape the ice and snow of Germany, and in my infinite wisdom go to a hockey game.  Marcela had never been to one before, so we decided to see the San Antonio Rampage and the Houston Aeroes go at it at the SBC Center.  Not a great game, with it ending in a 1-1 tie, but still a fun way to spend an evening.   Food:  I crammed about as much Mexican food (mostly tacos) down my throat as I could stand -- and I still crave the stuff.  Soon I'll visit a Mexican place here in Germany and compare the experiences.  I already assume that it'll be a huge letdown.  Nothing will compare to Marcela's mom's tamales.   Border crossings:  Want some fun?  Try explaining to the guys working for customs at the bridge that while yes, you are indeed a US citizen, you live in Germany.  And yes, the vehicle you are driving belongs to you even though you don't live in Texas anymore.  But no, you have no intention of taking it to Germany.  But yes, you used to live in Eagle Pass, as your driver's license indicates.  But no, you're not bringing anything back from Mexico -- you just went to eat.  Again.  For the second time that day.   Watching American TV:  I miss that.  I really do.  You have no idea how big a smile I had on my face when COPS appeared on the screen.  That and watching sports.  Too bad the Cowboys decided to go into the tank during the only game I got to watch all season.   As far as returning to Eagle Pass goes, I probably won't do that again until Christmas 2004.  Too many folks want to come here and visit Europe, so I don't think I'll have the time or money to go back home.  But that's ok.  I have to get busy making Germany feel like the home that Texas has always been.   Related site: Updated picture gallery of the trip. 6:17:07 PM     |

© Copyright 2005 Alex L. Mauldin.