As a woman of mixed Chicana and Native heritage, my experience with the city of Houston is like many other Hispanics that reside in its urban areas. Every morning, I woke up to the sound of the roar of traffic, the faint sound of Tejano music in the distance, and the local garbage trucks doing their bi-weekly pickups. Although it has a reputation for being a bland city of business, I enjoyed my upbringing in the city and I relate to the unique character that Houston has.
A quick 10 minute drive from my apartments would bring me to the Museum District, a part of town that showcased a cluster of museums and art galleries for all to see. About 5 minutes from my house would be the Waterwall Park, a place I go every so often when I'm feeling nostalgic, as I spent many days of my early childhood playing with new friends I had made while my father watched from afar. Lastly, the famous Space City would not live up to its name without the Johnson Space Center, a place I visited multiple times a year to fuel my dreams of becoming an astronomer.
As for the dining in my city, there is a reason why Tex-Mex food is known all over the world. The savory foods of Mexico mixed with traditional Texan grub created a delightful cuisine that is enjoyed by Texans, Mexicans, other Americans, and even in countries halfway around the planet. Even the word "fajita" was popularized in a Ninfa's resturaunt in Houston! There seems to be a Tex-Mex restaurant every square mile, and I've heard no complaints so far about the quality of Tex-Mex as a whole. It is an unspoken fact that Tex-Mex is the best food around Houston.