Traveling Back in Time and Why I am Glad I Came Back
So this last Sunday I went to visit my mother, sister, and one of my two nephews while we bought some of those Heely's shoes for my 6 year-old nephew in nearby Richmond. After buying him the shoes my mother decided to take him to a local pizza and game parlor known as "Gatti's Pizza" in El Campo, TX, not far from my old home in Bay City.
As soon as we pulled over in El Campo (population about 9,500), I could not help but notice how empty (and dirty) the streets were. It felt like walking into a ghost town as not even a single person was there walking. All these businesses (all locally-owned) were closed. Most of the buildings in the area look as if none of them were build after 1950. It reminded me of my old home.
When we finally arrived at our destination at a worn-down strip mall, one thing that stood out was the 10 feet tall sign that had the old name when it was known as "Mr. Gatti's" at least 12 years ago. The dirty, imposing sign must have been built at least 20 years ago. Most of the cars in the parking lot were either damaged or just very old, including one of those huge, bulky cars from the 1970s though they were obviously not collectibles. Needless to say I was unimpressed.
As we all stepped inside the building inside itself looked in serious need of repairs, starting with the walls. At first I was reluctant to eat there, but my mother insisted to at least get something from the "buffet" so I could join them and so I accepted. I brought myself some of those cheesy breadsticks and some salad from the bar, but as soon as I took a bite of each I knew I was going to be hungry of the rest of the afternoon. The breadsticks were cold and tasted funny (nothing like cheese) and a bit chewy and the lettuce in particular was dry. The only thing I could consume (and was edible) was the Orange-flavored Hi-C. I still thanked them for offering me.
After we ate and played with my little nephew at the arcade, we returned to the SUV. My sister commented how the strip mall made her think as if she were back in the 1970s, just the way I was thinking! I guess it reminded me of those cheap, action flicks from that era because of all those cars.
In short visiting El Campo reminded me so much of Bay City and why I am so glad that I left that lifestyle behind me. Those are 14 years of my life that I am quite happy that I do not miss. Now that I overcame that barrier by moving in here in the Houston area, I want to find another major life goal and overcome it so that I can look forward to it.