So Amarillo Aint Really Texas Huh? (Houston, Dallas: tornado, living in, restaurants)

[TexasReb]

Originally Posted by Cathy4017

Hehehehehe...so we are back to the Texas-is-southern again, huh?? LOL!!

The Panhandle and West Texas are, as I have stated before, not what I consider southern. It's neither an insult nor a thing of pride as far as I'm concerned--but you know that already, LOL!!

I have southern roots just like nearly every other native Texan, but I embrace the western/Mexican/Spanish roots far more than I ever did the southern aspect....(and I'm anglo, not hispanic)...and that goes for customs, food, and most other things that make up culture.

Texas is Texas.....and has something for everyone. I don't believe that there is a more diverse state (geographically speaking) than Texas in the entire United States. We have everything from tropical/beach to mountains and desert....and the greatest thing is that people can take what they wish from this.

While I love all of Texas, West Texas and nearby New Mexico will always be dearest to my heart.

LOL Yes, I do think you and I have been over this one before. And I always agreed Texas is unique and I am proud of that fact. But again, even in West Texas (excluding the far northern panhandle and trans-pecos), according to sociological surveys, most people chose South over West when asked to pick regional identification. But of course, you go with the latter, and I respect that choice!

[Cathy4017]

Originally Posted by TexasReb

LOL Yes, I do think you and I have been over this one before. And I always agreed Texas is unique and I am proud of that fact. But again, even in West Texas (excluding the far northern panhandle and trans-pecos), according to sociological surveys, most people chose South over West when asked to pick regional identification. But of course, you go with the latter, and I respect that choice!

And....the Trans-Pecos is where I grew up......

Did you have your black-eyed peas for New Year's Day...?

I had grilled chicken breast with green chile poblano sauce....

[TexasReb]

Originally Posted by Cathy4017

And....the Trans-Pecos is where I grew up......

Did you have your black-eyed peas for New Year's Day...?

I had grilled chicken breast with green chile poblano sauce....

That explains everything then!

But seriously, yep, can't do without the blackeyed peas on New Years Day!

[LOUISIANA'SLEGEND]

Where is the intelligent answers, yall make it seem like Amarillo still got gun showdowns and old small double doors, with the sheriff running the town. i heard a rumor Zorro still be saving people there? is it true?

[momof2dfw]

Originally Posted by LOUISIANA'SLEGEND

Where is the intelligent answers, yall make it seem like Amarillo still got gun showdowns and old small double doors, with the sheriff running the town. i heard a rumor Zorro still be saving people there? is it true?

Maybe that is because your original question to start this thread was not "intelligent". I mean come on, this was your intent:
" I wanna hear more about the truck stop of america, and the drugs, and prostitution issues. Come on Amarillo yall wanna be quiet or yall just dont like Amarillo?"

I'd call your question more flamming and degrading than anything.

[ColeSD]

Originally Posted by TexasReb

Ahhh, another great thread that somehow I missed out on! LOL

Anyway, my own honest opinion, not that it matters a fiddler's damn, but as concerning Amarillo being a "true" part of Texas. That is to say, culturally and historically?

I am risking certain important parts of myself by stating the following:

I tend to think of Amarillo (and all areas north) in sorta the same vein I do trans-pecos Texas (ala' El Paso). IN Texas to be sure, and defintely having contributed a lot to Texas legend, folklore, and music (George Strait, Marty Robbins, etc). But yet? Not truly OF Texas in the sense of part of that same aggregate culture and history.

I am ducking the bullets here, y'all...so let me pause a minute to carefully explain. Most of Texas was settled by eastward moving folks from the older South. It is that culture which dominates. On the other hand, the northern panhandle area was pretty much populated by people from the lower Midwest. Even in sociological surveys, many Texans in that area tend to identify more with the midwest than they do with the South (which is the overwhelming choice of other Texans). Or, even the West (the choice out around El Paso).

This is NOT intended as an insult or slam by ANY means. Nor to deny residents/natives of those areas their tried and true Texas credentials on many a level. Just an honest observation.

I just called my wife's family. They wanna know where you live! (JUST kidding for those of you out there taking this too seriously)

[TexasReb]

Originally Posted by ColeSD

I just called my wife's family. They wanna know where you live! (JUST kidding for those of you out there taking this too seriously)

LOL Tell 'em I live in Wichita Falls. I got a lot of faults, but runnin' and hidin' aint one one of 'em. I figure if I said it, I might as well stick by it and let the chips fall where they may! LOL

BUT...be sure and tell your in-laws this too, before they come down to give me a load of bucksalt....that there is an Air Force base in Wichita Falls which means a lot of northern residents and, in turn, it ain't always the epitome of a quintensential Texas small city neither!

And ALSO, hey, doesn't Amarillo have a high school where the mascot is the "Rebels" And Dixie the fight song? That 'un there alone makes it dad gum good in my book!

[LOUISIANA'SLEGEND]

Originally Posted by momof2dfw

Maybe that is because your original question to start this thread was not "intelligent". I mean come on, this was your intent:
" I wanna hear more about the truck stop of america, and the drugs, and prostitution issues. Come on Amarillo yall wanna be quiet or yall just dont like Amarillo?"

I'd call your question more flamming and degrading than anything.

I was just joking.......matter of fact my whole intent was to find out if people were as passionate about the town/colony of Amarillo as we are in similar size cities in Louisiana. I visited a friend I met online who lived there and It was a culture shock. She likes to comment on how the geographical locations determines the atmosphere of a city. Now in her case, she was saying that if your city is close to a state that has dominate cultures and a vibrant atmosphere, your city will take on that culture of that state.

Now she said that because, Im from Northern Louisiana, which some of you may know is quite different from Southern Louisiana with the cajuns/creole cultures and bigger cities with amazing customs. She says since we are so far from it all, we might as well take on the spirits of Arkansas(haha that was funny), Mississippi(do they even have a significant vibe), and last but not least Texas......hmmm

Now I'll admit this, in the case of Shreveport, Louisiana, she can make a case thats true. Many of the Shreveport residents are natives of Texas. They dont have an accent, cant get a real good gumbo and no swamps or bayous, and it has one of the highest elevation in the state(not Louisiana like). The people in Shreveport familiarize with Texas more than the super jazzy spicy vibe of my Louisiana. The even play the Dallas Cowboy games on TV instead of the Saints.(Southern Louisiana natives call Shreveport: East Texas or Shreveport, TX, shame on them, I love Shreveport)

So I tried to flip it on her because she is along that borderline of Oklahoma and Colorado. On the way there I was thinking wow, Denver is only an hour and half away. I was saying to her this isnt like Dallas at all, nor like Houston, nor like Austin. So are you more like Oklahoma or Colorado?

Enough of that, I really enjoyed the visit. The Cadillac Ranch is something to see(10 old school cadillac maybe 1960 - 75 editions, slammed slanted into the ground consecutively, in the middle of no where. It is a big tourist attraction and serves as a great legal graffiti pad).

The Salo Polo canyon there is so beautiful and a must see(WOW). The famous big Texan restaurant is a popular attraction(eat all of a gigantic steak, and its free and u get a certifcate and your posted on the wall of fame) I saw real tumbleweed. Its the desert foreal. I thought i was in a modernized old western movie. No zorro though, lol

I loved it. The thing is...........is this the real Texas, and are Dallas, Houston, Austin, San Antonio east coast influenced versions or Texas? Thats the real question, but not for me, Im a Louisiana boy. enjoy!

[case44]

Originally Posted by LOUISIANA'SLEGEND

......matter of fact my whole intent was to find out if people were as passionate about the town/colony of Amarillo as we are in similar size cities in Louisiana.

Colony???!

[1deep]

amarillo has a mixture of southern and mexican culture. being that it is so close to new mexico,
we have picked up some characteristics of that state. just as well, amarillo's terrain is similar to oklahoma. but the people who live there still have a southern drawl.

texas is a big state indeed. we all know that its the 2nd biggest state in the country, but if you actually come to visit you will see how truly gigantic it is. each region in texas is unique. just because one area isn't similar to another doesn't mean its not part of texas. texas is texas, no matter where you're from. we all live under the government of texas so therefore, how can you say amarillo is not texas?

i was born and raised in amarillo and have never lived anywhere else. what one person's views of this city can be totally different from somebody else. aside from the obvious; a free 72 oz steak, cadillac ranch, and palo duro canyon... what exactly is amarillo like? for me and through my eyes i see that amarillo is full of drug-users and std infested prostitues. amarillo is in fact labeled as the "truck stop of america". it is also a fact that amarillo has one of the biggest drug and prostitution rings in the country. we also have the highest std rate in the state. it is not only my opinion, but has it been proven and there is no need to argue about this statement. i've seen for myself what this city is like. its just like any other city thats affected by drugs and crime. but this is my home for now, and i'll make the best of it. i honestly don't want to live here the rest of my life.