One of the main reasons for this trip to the US was to visit Cazzie’s old flat mate, Kati. Kati moved to Houston about 18 months ago to work within the oil industry. All the major players are here, including Exxon Mobil, BP, and Shell. Houston is pretty much built around this with most people here working in or around the energy business.
We arrive after a 4 hour drive from Dallas, Kati picked us up from the car hire place and took us to her apartment. This place was really cool 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, big living room, kitchen with all the mod cons and access to a pool. We were introduced to Bruno, her little puppy who peed everywhere with excitement every time he saw someone new.
There was no time to stop and admire the place though as we had tickets to the Houston Astros baseball game, so we jumped back in the car and headed to the Minute Maid Stadium. I was a little concerned about sitting in the 100 degree heat for 3 hours, but the stadium had a retractable roof, which was closed and the air conditioning was on. After loading up on foot long hot dogs with cheese and chilli and about 5 gallons of coke, we took our seats, which were right at the front. To be honest, I could have been sitting anywhere, as I had no idea what was going on. The American’s have a go at our cricket and say that it’s boring. But at least we get sixes, fours, runs and wickets. The score was 1-0 to the Astros after 9 innings each. Twenty20 is much more exciting and fun!
We decided to call it a day and left early to head back to the apartment. Quick shower and walked to the local bar called Kona for both happy hours. Happy hour started at 4 and went on until 7 and started again at 10 - what did they think was going to happen? There was Cazzie, Kati and myself and we were later joined by Kati part time lodger, Lorisa. Over the next 6 hours we racked up a $500 bar bill that included 20 JagerBombs, 8 Saki bombs, 4 Surfer on Acids and lots of beer, wine and gin. Lorissa’s husband, Joel turned up at about 11 o’clock having driven from this job in Dallas to find Lorisa in a complete and utter mess. He stayed for about an hour and then was forced to take her back to the hotel, where she proceeded to throw up all night! He wasn’t a happy chappy. The rest of us, which now included Kati’s flatmate Jocelyn, stayed at this bar until we were asked to leave. The bar had a really good vibe about it which may have been helped by the fact that the LA Lakers were playing Orlando Magic in the basketball finals. A cracking night had by all!
The next day we dragged our sorry asses out of bed and headed to Memorial Park with Bruno. As we were all feeling a little rough, we stopped my McDonalds for a breakie to take to the park. Memorial Park is where a lot of people go running, which I could not understand. I was breaking out into a sweat just standing there so I can only start to imaging how hot these people where. A lot of the guys were running without a top on, which Cazzie and Kati thoroughly enjoyed. What amused me though was the park had an outside workout area, with things like chin up bars, a press bench and a sit up thingy. All the “beautiful people” hang out here doing their work out so everyone can “admire” them. Cazzie and I were sat watching them, scoffing on our double sausage and egg McMuffin.
We only spent 1 hour in the park as the puppy nearly died of heat exhaustion. Next stop was the supermarket to stock up on food for the BBQ. This is the great thing about Kati’s flat – there is a gas BBQ by the pool that is free to use, and you don’t even have to clean up after you!! Kati, Lorisa, Cazzie and I settled in by the pool and proceeded to cook our fodder while having a few beers.
After a great afternoon dicking about in the pool, it was time to clean ourselves up and get ready to head out for a birthday party. One of Jocelyn’s friends came to pick us all up and drive us to Tipsy Clover, a cool Irish bar with outside drinking. After a few in there, we headed off to the Union Bar, where Cazzie and I decided it was time to dance like total idiots. This went on for about 2 hours and included pole dancing and 80’s classics. A lot of Kati’s friends were in attendance and we all ended up pretty smashed again.
Saturday morning was another hangover so the general consensus was to spend the day by the pool to try and get rid of it. A lot of American Football throwing took place and it pretty much did the trick of sorting us all out. This was a good thing as we were heading to a Hawaiian party that evening. The host had hired a frozen margarita making machine and bought 12 litres of Tequila to go with it. The party was a great success with a lot of time spent in the pool / hot tub. I think at the last count, 10 litres of tequila were drunk. Not a bad effort for 25 people.
Overall Houston is like Dallas, not a touristy place, but having access to a local person, such as Kati, turns it into a fantastic place to go. All the right bars, restaurants, pools, parks and parties are all there without having to put in any effort at all. Kati was a terrific hostess and we would definitely go back there if allowed!
Now it's off to Vegas Baby
Stuoobs xxx
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