Parts Of Texas You Can’t Capture With A Camera
November 13, 2009 by Anil P.
Filed under Culture, Food, Pictures and Video, Travel
Those of you who subscribe to my bi-monthly newsletter know that I was recently in Dallas, Texas. I had a set of decent travel photos to share from Dallas and the surrounding areas but my camera malfunctioned. It wasn’t a dead camera battery as happened to me in Kansas this past spring but I was disappointed to lose these pictures.
Fortunately I was able to witness many things in Dallas and other parts of Texas that I probably couldn’t completely capture in a digital picture. Texas is a fascinating place culturally and can easily overload your senses and stomach.
Texans Love Texas
One of the first things that’s evident when you speak with most anyone from Texas is their love and knowledge of the lone star state. It’s a different tone of nationalism than you’ll find in other parts of the US and it’s more about Texas than the nation as a whole. Mention to anyone that you’re from out of town and you’ll learn a lot about Texas from some enthusiastic Texans.
Variety
Although I was in Dallas, I’ve been to other parts of Texas including Austin. You’ll hear that Austin isn’t “real Texas” in Dallas but the variety between the two is part of what makes Texas such a unique place to visit. Love it or hate it each city is diverse in its own right.
Wild West Feel
Perhaps it’s a result of television, the cowboy hats, or Clint Eastwood, but once you’re in Texas things change. There’s an air of capriciousness as if you’re on the edge of the frontier. The “no guns allowed” signs help to add to that effect.
The Microscope
When you’re in Texas you begin to see it’s a little like a microcosm of the entire United States. There’s a little of New York City, Kansas, and California as well as all of the other cultures you can find in the US (which is a very wide range) in Texas.
Everything Really Is Bigger In Texas
The cars, the food portions, and the personalities are all bigger in Texas. It’s hard to get a feel for this effect in pictures but it’s immediately noticeable as soon as you leave the airport or drive into a Texan city. There’s a lot to overload your all of your senses.
Granted a good photographer could probably capture these things on film. Like many aspects of different places, you won’t get the full effect without going yourself. Had my camera been working I would have tried to capture these things I experienced and felt in digital pictures but I hope my words helped to show what parts of Texas you can’t (easily) capture with a camera.
[photos by: atmtx, wootam!, Gadget Virtuoso, stevesheriw, jeremy.wilburn, J.McPherson]
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My name is Anil, a traveler and travel enthusiast. I created foXnoMad to connect with other travelers, discover their world, and share what I’ve learned about mine.
I’m a fairly new resident of Texas, and it is definitely a fascinating place. All of the stereotypes are kind of true…and yet it’s so much more than that at the same time. Hard to describe, really. I love it.
Great post!
There’s a lot of diversity in Texas which surprised me at first. You’re right, it’s what makes it so fascinating and a fun place to visit (or in your case, live there!)
I am sorry for your camera. Sometimes we’re just short of some luck. Recently I also lost all pictures of beautiful Mauritius.
Yes, I was aware of your being in Texas. Microscopic thing is new for me.
I’ve had more than a usual number of camera mishaps in the past few years. Coupled with my poor memory for anything I don’t read in a book and I easily forget the images of places I’ve been. Sorry to hear about your lost pictures as well…they should make digital cameras that automatically upload to a server.
I was surprised to see “A Texan’s map of United States” I thought its more like… “A Texan’s map of the world”
I thought that picture was great when I found it…hilarious
Texas is indeed a fascinating place. I grew up outside of Dallas, and though I liked living there, I always wanted to get out.
Now that I’m out of Texas, all I want to do is go back (but just to visit – it’s a lot to handle sometimes)!
I think that’s how many of us feel about home, wherever that is!
What a fun post Anil! I can’t say that I saw much of Texas, but I have driven through it twice on my cross-country trips to Cali…all I remember is that the state is absolutely huge! It feels like you’re in Texas for days!! And you’re right about portion size – I was amazed the couple of meals I had!
It is huge! Check out this map I found comparing the size of Texas to Europe:
http://goeurope.about.com/od/europeanmaps/l/bl-country-size-comparison-map.htm
The camera spook must be out and around as my trusty Canon camera has permanently broken. Repair is almost as much as a new one. Very disheartening. People I’ve met from Texas seem to be bigger than life (like the state). I always recall a work colleague (some years ago now so I’m sure things have changed a little) who asked for a vegetarian meal to have a meal turn up with meat but more vegetables than the toekn offering with most other meals. The restaurant simply couldn’t get the principle of someone wanting a meal without any meat at all in it!! Persistence paid off but the waiter may still tell a variation of the same story about some strange Australian dude who wouldn’t eat meat…
Funny you should mention that – I ordered a veggie plate on night (thinking it would be vegetarian) and found bacon in my green beans. Your server must have been very confused since Texas is all about steak.