The native forest, consisting of pines and magnolias, which is common in the coastal areas of the Gulf of Mexico, has always struck me as odd. Probably because I always associated pine trees with northern climates, while magnolias clearly belong to the subtropical realm.
(Click on the picture to see it full size, use a back button to return to this spot.) The combination still produces sense of disbelief even after years in Houston. We are lucky to live in a subdivision built in the 70’s. These days, the first thing a developer does, is cut down all the trees and then fit as many houses as possible on the lot. In our area the proportion between the size of the lot and the footprint of the house is still sensible and enough large pine trees were left to preserve a feeling of the forest. I suspect most of the magnolias were planted, but now, 30 years later they are of respectable size. We have a small one in our backyard and I was finally able to confirm something I suspected for a long time. Magnolias have a smell. It is quite subtle citrus aroma and not all the flowers have it, or perhaps not all the time. But when you pass under a large magnolia tree it is unmistakable. This makes walks more pleasant, even though with rising temperatures one has to slow down and shower afterwards, unless you can go early in the morning, when the air is still fresh.

July was going to be a month of rest, but it does not mean that nothing happened. Quarterfinals of the soccer Gold Cup were played in Houston and I was lucky to get a free ticket to the corporate box. If you are going to see a sporting event this is the way to do it. Lots of food and drink, comfortable seating, good view and no pushing a showing. The match I went to see was Mexico vs. Costa Rica and quite predictably the audience was 95 percent of Mexican extraction, as indicted by their green jerseys and Mexican flags. Why travel to Latin America? Just stay here and let Latin America come to you. Given the hassles of air travel these days, it might be the best option.

July was going to be a month of rest, but just a Kumiko was coming back from London I was taking off for Norway. We literally met at the airport, I handed her the car keys and took off. Even though I saw large part of Norway during my European expedition in 72 (Oslo to Narvik), I never visited Stavanger and this was my opportunity. I stayed at the Victoria Hotel which has been around for more than 100 years and hosted Winston Churchill during his visits to Norway. Stavanger is not only the center of the oil industry in Norway, but also a stop for cruise ships – I saw an enormous one anchored right in front of the hotel. Stavanger is a pretty town, very peaceful (every day I had it impression it was Sunday afternoon). Pletnty of things to see, lots of blue memorial plaques - unfortunately all in Norwegian, so all I know that somebody important spent some time in a give house. On the negative side, 300 ml of beer cost $8, there are steep sin taxes not only on tobacco products but also on chocolate, sweets, soft drinks and other items that the government deems undesirable. I do not smoke, drink very little and could live without soft drinks but I am not too keen on government bureaucrats running every aspect of my life. I breathed a little bit easier during a stop over in Amsterdam on the way back. By the way, if you are traveling business class, there is now a KLM flight which is business only, smaller plane, only 46 passengers, but much more civilized.

Back in Houston it is blueberry season, we go every weekend and I eat several bowls every day.