NIce Place to Visit

(Houston TX) This morning I was up at 5:30 and headed to the gym in the hotel to do my 45 minute routine on the treadmill. When I arrived I noticed that both treadmills were busy so I decided I would take to the streets of downtown Houston.

I can tell you when you are walking in a downtown area of a major US city early in the morning when it is still dark, you are looking at everything and everybody you meet.

Can’t be the safest thing in the world to do.

I walked for 45 minutes but it went quickly because I had my mind on something else.

Like who could or would potentially hit me over the head.

Most people I met were construction workers headed to various jobs. When I was finishing I began meeting “office people” headed to their jobs.

I noticed something here that is a little different from Reynolds Georgia.

Nobody speaks to you.

When you meet someone on the sidewalk they either look down or away when you walk by. I decided I would play a little game.

I began speaking to everybody I met. Every single person spoke back.

I then walked a couple of blocks and did not speak to people.

Not one person spoke to me.

I also walked by more than a few homeless people lying in doorways and on sidewalks seemingly sleeping very well.

I decided not to wake any of them up.

I grew up and lived most of my life in a place where you know everybody you meet on the street. You stop and talk and ask about their children or parents. You even know the names of their dogs and cats.

There is also accountability in a small town. If you didn’t show up for church someone will give you a call and ask you why. If you car didn’t leave your carport on a particular day, you would get a call from your neighbor to be sure you were not sick.

I get the strong impression that doesn’t exactly happen here. And the truth is these people I met on the street this morning don’t have a clue what they are missing.

Nice place to visit but I wouldn’t want to live here.