There we used to live
I was assigned to station in Houston, Texas in Sept., 1979 and my family arrived there in Feb., 1980. The townhouse of Georgetown Complex at the intersection of I-10 Katy Freeway and West Belt Driveway was selected to live after five-month survey, because that place was located in Spring Branch District which was relatively safer area and close to Japanese School. We had been living there till returning Japan in Sept., 1983.
The left photo was taken in early 1980 before living, and the right one was taken when re-visiting in March, 1998. The silent atmosphere was unchanged.
The trees were comsiderably grown up during 20 year period.
Shuichi and Kenji had been going to Rummel Creek Elementary School on weekdays.
On every Saturday, they must go to Japanese Supplementary School prepared in Tallowood Church to catch up national language and arithmetics curricula.
The San Jacinto Battle field was along Houston Water Ship Channel. This was commemorated to defeat Mexican army led by Gen. Sanat Ana, resulted in establishing Texas Republic. There is the monument tower, which is little bit taller than Washington Monument Tower in Wasington D. C.
The Warship "Texas" is moored in Ship Channel, in which the copy of the surrender document on Pacific War in 1945 by Japan is exposed.
In the south region of Ship Channel, Johnson Space Center is welcome to visitors. Any astronauts even from Japan have to be trained in trainning facilities. Many of sky rokets are arranged for the exposition, which is the most popular sightseeing spot in Houston. Kema fishery port is nearby, where many refugees from Vietnum are working as fishermen. They are too hard workers than conventional fishermen, and had some conflicts with working styles to be localized.
The city of San Antonio is located in the 200 mile west from Houston area, and we visit at least once a year. TheAlamo Fort is famous for all the american volunteers including Debie Crocket being dead during the local fight with Mexican Army before the final San Jacinto Battle. No admissions were supposed to be necessary, and many commemorative matters are exposed. The monument of poem by Juuko Shiga could be found there.
The mexican population in San Antonio is more than 60 %, and it might be natural from the fact of original Mexican Territory that we could find easily the Mexican atomsphere.
The state capitol city of Austin is in the 150 mile northwest direction along 290 state driveway. The Texan capitol building is modest and of moderate size. Austin and the vicinity valleys are called as Silicon Highland to promote high-tech industries.
There are many nice places along 290 driveway to enjoy bluebonnet flowers in spring time, and we visit there every early April.
The Galveston Island is located in the 50 mile south of Houston. There are many spanish cultural monuments and bulidings, because spanish people disembarked from this island.
The big causeways are along this seashore, and there are many fishing piers due to nice fishing spots.
This photo was taken inn the first visit on Thanksgiving day in 1980.