Just want to add my two cents worth to the Texas conversation. The only things I don't like about Texas are the fire ants and the legislature (& governor). Otherwise this place is great. Your mention of the Valley triggered memories for me. I lived in Brownsville for 2 years in the 90's and loved my Lower Valley Tex Mex experience. It even motivated me to learn Spanish. I'm a perpetual advanced beginner, but at least I can communicate when I'm in the Lower Valley and even in Mexico. When I was down there I became addicted to mangos and papayas, as well as fresh corn tortillas from the tortilla stands. I lived in an apartment, and we had parrots nesting on the palm tree stumps, and a banana tree and peach tree right outside our window.There are so many wonderful facets to Texas that I know loads of people don't see. It's great that other people see that, as well.
Hi, Baymule! I was born and raised in Harlingen (we were neighbors, hehe) and I always find myself really enjoying the weather...on most days. Our hot summers make for some great produce and I'm kind of in love with our citrus around here. In fact, I love to watch the crops growing, it's just kind of fantastic to see an empty field quickly become acres of cabbage, corn, wheat, oranges and grapefruit!
We are just a big boiling pot of awesome cultures and flavors mixing together to create a great state. While we've got corrupt politicians and sometimes people have backwards ideals, a large majority of people are good and welcoming. The landscape takes the cake, though. The Rio Grande Valley is like a little taste of Mexico. Not to mention the food, hehe! I'm not good at convincing people about Texas (I'm not much of a bragger), but I can't deny there are some beautiful aspects to the state that really make it home. You don't know how often I've defended the valley against arrogant, ignorant people who couldn't see the beauty if it hit them over the head with a crowbar. They obviously hadn't seen the parts that I'd seen, haha!