If some guy would have told me a couple of years ago: You are going to fall in love with this American State, I would have told him: Why should I? Well, this was before I first met Betsy.

But, as you all already know by yourself, there is always a before and after. I went to Texas, especially the DFW area, the first time in 2003. And now, it’s just the other way round and I would ask this guy back: Why shouldn’t I fall in love with this country and its people? It’s a wonderful country, friendly and helpful people – and besides that everything is so BIG here. The wide open spaces and landscapes are completely different from the landscapes and places in Germany.

Now I’ve been to Texas six times and I hope that there are many more times to come. Of course for me there are a couple of reasons to come back over and over again. The country and its people are one important reason though.

Whenever I came, I’ve been fortunate to live with Betsy, a real Texan - but not only that. Meeting with her family and friends I also learned to know wonderful people.

Whenever I travel, and I came around a lot the last twenty-five years, all over the world, one of the things I enjoy very much is coming to places where I do know people who live there. It gives you a different view on things staying with people who grew up in a specific country and culture.

So, having wonderful people in Texas I can’t see Texas still with the eyes of a tourist. But I don’t mind. Meanwhile coming to DFW it feels like coming home.

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