Houston is one giant commercial engine. Everyone is rushing around, 18-wheeler trucks thunder along the freeways, long cargo trains rumble on the tracks, strip malls with sort-of reasonable and grotesque stores can be found every few blocks, construction cranes reach up to the sky, and there is constant traffic.
The good side of this booming prosperity is that you can find superb restaurants and truly top-class arts and museums. For me, it was such a contrast to be in a metropolis with an expanding economy, a place where something is happening. During my recent stay in Houston, I wandered around looking for my type of photographs. There was plenty of good material!
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| Waiting for the tram at 07:15 |
The
METRORail light rail (tram) is efficient and runs most of the day. You can take your bicycle. To pay, you use a pre-loaded fare card or a phone app.
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| N. Fannin Street view north to Texas Medical Center - pretty crummy walking but at least there is sidewalk |
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| Vote for Tires, 3801 N. MacGregor Way - not sure if I would buy tires here |
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| Dakk T-shirts, 3801 N. MacGregor Way |
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| Secret Recipe West African cuisine, but not any more |
Head west out of the downtown business district and you reach the
Montrose Neighborhood.
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| Americana strip mall architecture at its best, 1660 Westheimer Road |
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| Americana signage at its aesthetic best, Westheimer Road |
Westheimer Road runs east-west through Montrose. In the 1980s, this was an artsy area with galleries and alternative clubs and bars. At that time, it was the center of Houston's gay and lesbian community. Today, it is one of Houston's main cultural centers, noted for its art, food scene, and night life.
And some Montrose galleries are seriously upscale now. In November, my wife and I visited the Catherine Couturier Gallery. At first we did not recognize the featured artists. But then, while flipping through their stacks of matted prints, we saw genuine original silver gelatin prints from Weegee, Bill Brandt, Callahan, Doisneau, and more! Prices ranged from $4000 - $10,000 each. If only I had a bit of spare cash.....
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| Not upscale apartment, Kyle Street, Montrose - maybe I won't rent here |
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| TR Acupuncture Herb Clinic, 6723 Weslayan Street - they will fix anything that ails you |
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| La Calle Tacos, 401 Grey Street |
In the 1980s, Grey and West Grey were grungy. Now this district has been renovated. I need to scan some of my 1980s negatives from this area.
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| Houston Camera Exchange museum of good stuff (digital file mobile phone) |
These 2022 photographs are from Kodak Gold 200 film. I used my little Kodak Retina IIa camera with its 50mm ƒ/2 Schneider Xenon lens.
