I met with Houstonians and those who moved to Houston to seek their fortune last month. The minute I told them I was in Houston for a vacation they predictably sniggered. They cannot understand why I gravitate towards Houston – almost like a moth drawn to the flame. The place calls me. It is getting back to comfort zone. I actually spend my Christmas break flying over 25 hours to be in Houston.

Is Houston home? The answer is no. I don’t consider Houston home. It has certain comforts – comfort in familiarity. I know I can call up a friend and catch up over a cuppa. I know I can find a 24 hour pharmacy and grocery store right at the corner. I know the road names and parking issues in Downtown. It is simple. Houston is like a bowl of soup on a winter day. Well a bowl of chicken tortilla soup for sure.

We drove towards Downtown watching a gorgeous sunset. The photo does no justice to the beauty we saw

7 years in the city has made me very comfortable there and strangely the comfort was one of the reasons I had to move away from Houston. I was becoming too rooted. It will be the reason why I wish we will not head back to the city after our stint in Australia. I will settle in with ease. I will divide my weekends between Katy, Stafford, Sugarland and Pearland. I will stop by Fiesta, Hillcroft, HEB, Central Market and Trader’s Joe in regular frequencies. I will feed the ducks at Hermann park and watch shows under the stars at Miller theater. I will grumble about hot, humid days and thunderstorms. I will make Nutcracker and ice skating at Galleria a tradition. I will whine about traffic on highways that could double as runways. And the list goes on. See the familiarity?

It is so easy to settle down in Houston and exactly what I am afraid of.  I know some people crave for that familiarity. I do too. But I don’t want to. I am glad I have a partner who feels exactly the same.

My December trip to Houston was a homecoming of sorts. As I caught up with friends and watched kuttyma make friends I asked myself yet again why I have this fear of settling down and why I cannot be happy and embrace all Houston offers me. Friends, weather, cost of living, food, dance, and did I mention friends? I have the best friends in Houston and a part of me misses the comfort of hanging out at their places and catching up. Oh Houston!