A rare look at this strange little country I’ve been living in for the past 21 years.

Just when you thought you knew something, it can turn around and surprise the hell out of you. That’s what the U.S. has been doing to me throughout these past few months.

I will admit, I’m not typically one to brag about America. It’s a wonderful country and a great place to live, and for that I am so incredibly fortunate. But, as far as travels go, whenever I go to the chalkboard to draft up my next adventure, I immediately look overseas. I crave places with a richer culture, a deeper past, and a place that I am not used to. And something about the grass being greener on the other side, I suppose.

These past few months, however, have by-chance led me to a few randomly wonderful corners of the U.S. They each surprised me and reminded me that this country is far more beautiful and exciting than I often give it credit for. So, as a homage to that, I would like to share what I saw in these three wonderful U.S. states.

As for the first of three features…

TEXAS – November 2015

Texas was wild. Or maybe just the things we did in Texas were wild. Either way, I’m so glad I went.

My mom and I went on a four-day trip to San Antonio and Austin to celebrate our far belated birthdays (mine being the big 2-1!). In Texas I found an American patriotism that I forgot existed, one that you only see on Fox News or Jerry Springer. We sang along to tunes at too many dueling piano bars. At one of these bars, “ISIS can suck it” was written on a whiteboard. The whole crowd cheered. The piano players began playing the star-spangled banner. Everyone sang along. It was bizarre.

San Antonio gave us a glimpse of the cohesion of American and Mexican culture. It is a special blend, one that fuels the city, its people, and its tourism industry. It revolves around the historical Alamo and the wonderful Mexican cuisine that can be found throughout the city.

San Antonio’s defining feature is its riverwalk. A river runs below the city, passing by restaurants, bars, and mariachi bands. It creates a unique setting and zest when spending time along the river, eating chips and salsa or sipping on a martini (or two or three). Watching a play from across the river creates an equally different experience.

After San Antonio, we drove. We got into a car and headed north towards Austin. We looked at the map. We could take the highway, or we could wander into Texan Hill Country. We chose the latter, stumbling upon a dammed-up lake with 80 miles of shoreline. The sky was clear, the winds howled, and the water shone blue. We felt thankful for losing ourselves in this land.

And then, there was Austin–something else entirely. I’d heard plenty about Austin, it being one of my brother’s favorite cities. It was strange and weird, yet it had an aura of familiarity.

The capital of Texas is full of stunning architecture, history, and most of all, hipsters. Craft beer bars with 100+ beers on tap, food trucks that serve kimche fries, and all the mustaches you could ever dream of. We spent our time there tasting bacon maple donuts, drinking peanut butter stouts, wandering our way through thrift shops, at spending time at yet another dueling piano bar.

My mom and I ended our trip at a hostel and met a handful of girls from Scotland, Italy, and Australia. They were each on trips through Texas, ranging from a few days to a few weeks.

Originally, I would have looked at them funnily–who would come to America and choose to only go to Texas, rather than New York or California? But, after this trip, I can now say I understand. Thank you Texas, for the unique blend of culture, quirk, and fine American patriotism. You are a big state with a big personality.

Stay tuned for the next feature: New Hampshire!