Favorite travels I never planned to take

Sometimes travel takes you places you never wanted to go. I’ve learned that anyplace can be interesting! Here are 5 places I never wanted to travel that turned out to be great experiences (see the related TV segment for this here):

1. Houston, Texas. I’d visited for less-than 24 hours in the past on a quick business trip, and connected through IAH (George Bush
   

   Houston's Rothko Chapel is a great place to chill for a while. © Randall Shirley

   Houston Intercontinental Airport) many times, and didn’t have a great impression of the city. When I discovered that a new client would be requiring me to spend LOTS of time in America’s 3^rd-largest city, I decided to change my attitude, and find out what would attract so many people to live there. My favorite experiences thus far (and counting as I now return very frequently)

   • My love for theatre helped me find the Alley Theatre Company. Tony Award-winning regional company, outstanding.
   • My love for food led me to Sylvia’s Enchilada Kitchen. On every visit I try a new-to-me Mexican restaurant (my favorite ethnic food). Try their “South of the Border” combo!
   • Needing a break from intense work, I checked out Rothko Chapel, which despite being non-denominational fit into my interest toward various religious edifices, although I’m not religious.
   • My enjoyment of a “good find” led me to the Westheimer Road “Antiques Corridor.”
2. Cardiff, Wales. Although I once had a roommate from there, I just never thought it sounded very interesting. Wrong! A business conference in 2010 took me there, and I loved…
   • Again, theatre. The “New Theatre” is actually pretty old, but great shows!
   • A touch of history. I’m a moderate-buff, and loved that Cardiff Castle was a place I could self-explore 2,000 years’ worth.
   • Victorian Shopping Arcades. While most of my colleagues just found the main shopping malls and department stores, I found unique shops and eateries in these historic, glass-covered alleys.
     

     Metal Dragon Sculpture at Cardiff Castle, Wales. © Randall Shirley

3. Sao Paulo, Brazil. A ridiculous spot of luck got me a super-cheap ($200 r/t) ticket to Brazil, and instead landing in Sao Paulo and racing quickly to Rio or other sexy spots, I decided to give the largest city on the continent a chance.
   

   Pudding for sale at Bixiga antique area of Sao Paulo, Photo © Randall Shirley

   • Discovered Ibirapuera Park,  South America’s magnificent answer to Central Park by using my enjoyment of jogging. Gorgeous scenery, beautiful people watching, and interesting sculptures.
   • Went antique shopping at a fun spot called Bixiga and discovered a whole new world, including a street stand that sold about 15 kinds of pudding!
   • Went to a bar, and decided to do my best to communicate in my awful version of SpanPortuGlish. Actually had a blast. Sometimes you just have to try.
4. Grand Prairie, Alberta, Canada. Like Houston, this is a spot where corporate work require(s)(d) me to go. It’s hardly the sexiest of travel destinations, despite the fact that it’s on the Alaska Highway and thousands of tourists drive through each year enroute to America’s 49^th state.
   • Searched for understanding of the local economy, discovered an excellent interpretive centre (Centre 2000) teaching me about the area’s agricultural roots and more recent oil & gas booms (and busts).
   • Wandered downtown…instead of the mall. Found a truly hilarious, Al’s News, an old-fashioned five-and-dime store selling everything from resin giraffes to magazines to cigarettes. A few doors down found the local spot for poetry readings and great books, Down the Rabbit Hole.
5. Lafayette, Louisiana. Another place I find myself returning to for corporate work.
   

   Lafayette's great Po Boys at Olde Tyme Grocery. © Randall Shirley

   • While I’m usually pretty busy there, I always find time to head downtown, near the university, for an outstanding po boy sandwich (I usually get fried shrimp) at the adorable Olde Tyme Grocery.
   • I love spicy food, and discovered that Avery Island, home of Tabasco Sauce, is nearby. Touring their down-home factory was a great late afternoon diversion after an intense day of corporate work.

Tags: Cardiff, Houston, Mexican Food, shopping, Texas, Wales