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本帖最后由 mywhitesmile 于 2024-9-4 14:12 编辑
A. List of 10 Countries
The US (Southern Part)
Colombia
Brasil
Uruguay
Argentina
Chile
Bolivia
Peru
Panama
The US (Western Part)
The US (Hawaii)
Japan
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B. Overture - Step on a long journey.
Goals of this trip: to explore new places, experience different cultures and discover more about myself.
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C. A Note
Please excuse any typos or errors in my Chinglish, the computer was unable to type in Chinese.
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D. Another Note
The total duration is roughly 79 days, but I've chosen a simpler, more memorable title: 10 Weeks, 10 Countries.
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E. A Gift
A good-quality T-shirt as a 10-year reunion gift for my old classmate who now lives in Colombia.
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F. A Blessed Start
If you know, you know. (Even it's the Skycouch.)
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G. The US (Southern Part)
G.1 - Houston, Texas (Key words: NASA, NBA, The Drunk Shakespeare, Texas Chicken & Gun Shooting)
Safely arrived, but with a gloomy sky and no luck finding an Uber during the evening peak hours, had to walk another 1.2 km to reach the right bus station.
However, a new issue occured - I didn’t have any coins for the bus ticket. Fortunately, a kind local guy shared some with me. How blessed I was!
The next morning, formally started exploring Houston, absolutely beginning with NASA (the National Aeronautics and Space Administration).
The tour began with Mr. Michael Baker, a former astronaut.
Used astronaut uniforms on display.
Working hard on the moon.
My favorite shot at NASA, how lovely those stars look!
Immersive space tour.
Looks awesome!
A genuine piece of moon rock.
Where the impossible becomes possible, and the future is just a launch away.
Miss, would you like to join us?
No. No. To me, it’s all about complexity, and I’d probably make a big mess in space.
I bet even Einstein would agree with me.
Self-reflection after visting NASA: In the vast universe, we’re all incredibly tiny, so make the most of the present and don’t stress too much about people problems. Everything will pass.
Grabbed juicy and flavorful Shake Shack burgers for lunch with my new backpacker mate. Tasted better than the ones I've had before in both LA and NYC. Plus, it's tips free.
I feel seriously sorry for my new mate for using this ridiculously terrible perfume. It was a free sample given by the BA at S&C in AKL CBD, and I had no idea what it smelled like before.
A realxed and peaceful afternoon walk at Rice University.
Does anyone know this cute mascot?
Yes! It's the Houston Rockets! The team that legendary Yao Ming played for.
The inside of the Toyota Center in Houston, what a wide view.
But first, dinner. Literally, junk food tastes better at a sports venue.
This was my second time seeing an NBA game live, and the vibes are always so exciting and cheerful. Just clapping and cheering with the crowd is a great way to relieve stress and burn some calories.
The next morning, I received one bad news and one good news. The bad one was that I was attacked by bacteria causing flu-like symptoms. The good one was, forturnately it wasn’t COVID.
I felt unwell but decided to explore Houston anyway. I figured that sunshine might help get rid of the bacteria. What do you think, Kitty?
On my way to the farmers' market, learned another word for ‘laundry.’ Doesn't it looks like somewhere in Fiji or Tonga?
Here it is. Looks like X'mas has already started.
Personally, I love visiting local markets to get a closer look at real local life.
The red radishes look so fresh and sweet.
I would call this a beautiful creation.
And this one, too.
Not really wondering how cactus tastes, but should I get some for self-defense? After all, it does have thorns!
What's your opnion, Mr. Burger?
Do you guys think it is a good idea?
Visually pleasing for people with OCD.
Houstonians must have strong teeth.
And sweet teeth.
Heading to the next destination by public bus.
MFA, the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston.
"Interior of the Pantheon, Rome" by Giovanni Paolo Panini, 1747.
"The Corn Poppy" by Dutch artist Kees van Dongen, 1919.
"The Harvesters" by French Neo-Impressionist artist Charles Angrand, 1892.
Let’s explore the details up close.
"Tiger on the Watch" by the French academic artist Jean-Léon Gérôme, around 1888.
"Tahitian Women Under the Palm Trees" by the French Post-Impressionist artist Paul Gauguin during his time in Tahiti 1891-1893.
"Madame Valtat," by Louis Valtat, 1940-1906.
"The Rocks" by Vincent van Gogh, completed in 1888.
Let’s zoom in for a better view of the details.
"Portrait of Jeanne Pissarro" by Theo van Rysselberghe, 1895.
One piece of Claude Monet's "Water Lilies" series of approximately 250 oil paintings created by this French Impressionist artist between the late 1890s and his death in 1926.
"The Windmill on the Onbekende Gracht, Amsterdam" by Claude Monet, 1871-1874.
"Bouquet of Gladiolas, Lilies and Daisies" by Claude Monet, created in 1878.
"The Last Supper" by Sebastiano Ricci, after 1719.
Self-reflection after visiting MFA in Houston: I have come to realise why I enjoy visiting museums and art galleries so much: they offer a unique sense of stability and peace that is often hard to find amid the chaos of everyday human life.
Next spot is Chapel of St. Basil, located on the campus of the University of St. Thomas in Houston. Designed by Philip Johnson, a prominent architect known for his modernist style, completed in 1997. The chapel is characterised by its unique geometric forms, including a cube, a dome, and a granite plane. The main structure is a white stucco cube topped with a gold dome, which serves as a prominent visual feature on the campus.
I know it may look small and not particularly special at first glance, but what if we take a closer look? Can you feel the vibes?
The interior is designed to maximise natural light, featuring a skylight over the altar and an asymmetrical glass cross on the west wall. The altar is made of granite and is accompanied by a crucifix and various religious symbols. The chapel seats approximately 225 people and hosts daily Mass services.
I was continuing to enjoy my time in Houston by experiencing Drunk Shakespeare! The performance features five professional actors, one of whom drinks five shots of whiskey and then attempts to perform a major role in a Shakespearean play. The other sober actors work to keep the performance on track, resulting in hilarious and unpredictable moments. The lovely couple in the photo below were very nice to me, we shared cheers and laughter throughout the show.
Also the audience participates in the fun by receiving a shot before the show begins.
The actors performed Lorde's "Royals" during the show, a melody that resonates deeply with me as a young resident of New Zealand.
The show has concluded, leaving everyone with cherished memories. And yes, he does just wear underpants.
Self-reflection after experiencing The Drunk Shakespeare: Life is fleeting, so savor each moment.
This self-top-up machine on the bus is fantastic, and it operates at lightning speed!
On my way back to my accommodation, I decided to try Texas Chicken in Texas. The chicken was juicy, crunchy, and absolutely delicious. Plus, it's tips free.
The next morning, I felt a bit better after trying some sore throat remedies. Interestingly, when I picked it up from the pharmacy and opened it to drink right away on the road the day before, a homeless man said to me, "I hope you feel better soon!" Such a kind gesture!
But first, focus on style. Make my dress look chic with this compact yet convenient iron.
The main highlight of the day was participating in a gun shooting challenge at Top Gun in Houston, a quintessential Texas activity.
I completed the registration at the front counter, then chose my gun model and paid the fee. After putting on all the necessary protective gear, I was allowed to enter the shooting range.
It was my first time handling a real gun and shooting at a live range. A nice staff accompanied me throughout the session, providing guidance and support. But I still felt very scared and shed a few tears after taking a few shots at the beginning.
This is my final shooting score. While it's not an excellent one, I'm pretty sure no one could survive being hit by 15 bullets. Haha ~
Self-reflection after experiencing real gun shooting : Stepping out of comfort zone is often easier than think.
The Williams Tower, a prominent 64-story office building located in the Uptown District of Houston. Completed in 1983, it stands at a height of 277 meters, making it the tallest building in Houston outside of the downtown area, also the tallest skyscraper in the US not situated in a central business district.
The Waterwall, completed in 1985, is a striking 64-foot-tall semi-circular fountain located in the heart of Houston's Uptown District, next to the Williams Tower. This architectural marvel recycles approximately 78,500 gallons of water every three hours, creating a captivating urban waterfall effect that attracts numerous tourists. Despite the crowds, I spent a few minutes to capture this photo with a realtively clear background.
The Galleria department store in Houston, what a modern, upscale design, contrasting sharply with New Zealand's more rustic and natural aesthetic.
Plus, a dedicated indoor skating rink.
Grabbed a delicious mushroom burger from Shake Shack as a pre-dinner, featuring a crispy fried portobello stuffed with cheese and some veggies.
On my way to the POST Houston.
This comforting bowl of ramen rejuvenated my spirit and warmed my heart like nothing else could.
The illuminated Ferris wheel at Houston's Downtown Aquarium offers stunning nighttime views of the city skyline.
A vibrant corner in the theater and opera district of downtown Houston.
As dawn breaks on the new day, I enjoyed a sumptuous breakfast included with my accommodation. The spread is impressive, offering a diverse array of dishes that far exceeds what's shown in the photo. In fact, the actual selection is at least 6 times more extensive than what's pictured, providing guests with an abundance of choices to start their day.
My favorite item is the organic hard-boiled eggs, conveniently packed with two eggs each.
The weather was nice, but I felt worse with my cold and flu.
I hopped on a long-distance bus to a rural Chinese supermarket in Houston that sells antibiotics over the counter.
Unfortunately, they only sell the penicillin, which I’m allergic to. What a bummer!
If there's no medicine to take, at least enjoy some good food. HaiDiLao will definitely be my lifesaver.
The waitress I encountered was from Taiwan Province, China. She was exceptionally kind and generously packed me some snacks.
Since I've already come all the way, it'd be a shame to just grab a meal and leave. Why not make the most of it and catch a movie while I was there?
Watched the movie "Napoleon" because both the main actor and actress are my favorites. However, I found the excessive sexual scenes unnecessary and felt they portrayed Napoleon as foolish.
After the movie, I ran into a new problem. The buses had stopped running at 4:00 PM, so I had to call an Uber. It was pricey at about 50 USD, but I didn't mind splurging a bit on my last night. Even though I wasn't feeling great, I still had a good time in the city. The comfortable Uber ride was a nice way to end my stay.
That wraps up the first part of my trip story in Houston, Texas. The next destination is New Orleans, Louisiana. Yep, New Orleans - known for its tasty chicken wings. I took the Amtrak train to get there, which was an all-day journey. Will share more details in the following part of this post.
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