Texas Visit

Corpus Christi, in Texas USA, is a small city at the coast in the Gulf of Mexico. The seawater temperature is warm and it is the ideal place to cool off from the pressing humidity heat and sweat of most every day. At the beach, on a weekend, the cars are lined one next to the other in a never ending row with their rears facing the ocean and the trunk doors open. People just enjoy themselves - cooling in the water, basking in the sun or relaxing under a shade umbrella with their feet in the water with plenty to quench the thirst and fill the stomach. Sandcastles and horses with riders make the picture of bliss, complete.

Corpus has a city centre, but for the rest, is spread out and has a small town appearance. It doesn't make for easy walking to do anything. The city bus stop has no time tables and is not that regular to wait for the next one. I saw one other pedestrian - an Indian woman. One Sunday morning as we were driving around we saw a big 'warehouse' where a constant stream of cars were arriving. To satisfy our curiosity we went to look. Traffic officers were regulating the traffic. We eventually got a parking spot way in the back. Like a colony of ants people were walking to and from the building. As we approached, life pulsed towards us. Friendly smiles, lots of people, a very big building with a rock concert in full swing in the enormous theatre where four stadium size TV screens helped to make things visible. Later Bill, a down to earth man, a people's man, a great pastor, delivered his message. Needless to say we had such a good time in the Bay Drive Fellowship we went every Sunday.

We pitched a tent on the beach and watched the release of sea turtle hatchlings. Another time we pitched our tent in the bush and watched the fireflies at night. When the rain hosed down with thunder and levelling wind we were impressed at our stead-vast and not leaking tent dwelling for the night. Bambi deer gave great excitement the next morning to my little granddaughter.

Corpus gets a lot of strong wind and rain and the backlash from passing hurricanes. It was such a day when I left. It was pouring for three days already. Roads were flooded and closed. Driving went at snails pace because visibility was almost zero and water puddles on the road a constant barrier. As soon as we left the coastal-belt behind, the weather improved.

It was good to spend time with my son. It was great to meet my granddaughter. She loves to hunt (we tracked the birds or ants or whatever we could lay our eyes on when we went for our walk to the park). She loves to ballet. She loves stories and has hair like me. She's smart, pretty, difficult and special - granny's girl (Ouma se meisiekind).

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