Two months before I left the US to begin my trek across the world a friend of mine, Sean, asked me where in the world I’d be the week of February 9th, 2015. He was planning a trip with his best friend, Will, to Abu Dhabi and said I should try to meet up with them while I’m on the road. Sean still adamantly (and somewhat resentfully) claims I told him we wouldn’t meet up with him because I’d be in India, but in reality I couldn’t make any plans because I had no idea where I’d end up. Planning nine months into the future is a crapshoot even when you have a stable life and if you live a nomadic life like I do it's next to impossible. Fortunately, thanks to the month-long delay with my Indian Visa back in Tel Aviv, the timing worked out perfectly and I had the chance to experience a taste of southern hospitality courtesy of Sean, Will, and Will’s parents, Kurt and Lulu.
After our wonderful adventure into the deserts of Abu Dhabi, the five of use struck out for a day trip to Dubai. I can’t tell you how wonderful it is to travel with people who live in the city your visiting. I didn’t have to organize a single thing because Mrs. Lulu acted as our impromptu guide. She knew all of the highlights in Dubai, where everything was located, figured out the optimal path, and kept us on schedule to make sure we had ample time for everything (a skill I’m still woefully inept at when it comes to travel). More than anything, Will’s family had a car, so for once in my life I didn’t have to plan my entire day around public transit schedules! We saw a number of highlights that afternoon and I even went to the top of the Burj Khalifa courtesy of Mrs. Lulu, who generously donated her ticket to me so that I could go with Will and Sean. As wondrous as the experience was though, it was the second best thing to happen that day.
The best part of my day (and of my whole visit to the UAE) wasn’t the country, the cities, or even really the attractions - it was our trip to Texas Roadhouse in the Dubai Mall for dinner. Now before you get on my case about spending all this time and money traveling to the other side of the world only to eat a standard American chain restaurant, permit me to defend myself. I absolutely love eating strange, exotic cuisines and experiencing a country’s culture through its food, but its been eight months since I last ate a proper “American” dinner. The way I see it, a good old fashion Texas steakhouse now ranks on par with a good, local restaurant wherever I am in the world.
With that said, the food itself was only the tip of the iceberg; this specific restaurant chain holds a special place in my heart that few people know about. Texas Roadhouse was the last restaurant I ate at in the US before I started my exchange program in Milan over five years ago. At the time, I didn’t think much of the restaurant; like any other Texas-themed steakhouse, the walls were adorned with a variety of American football related paraphernalia, bright neon Budweiser beer signs, and wood paneling to evoke the feeling of an old farmhouse.
And let’s not forget the country music playing in the background.
I remember as my father and I sat down to dinner that fateful evening, he told me that while I might not appreciate it at the time, after six months abroad I would come to miss - and even cherish - restaurants like Texas Roadhouse. Incredulous, I dismissed his comment without a second thought, but six months later when I returned from Europe, Texas Roadhouse was the first place I wanted to eat with him. I’d come to realize that I really did miss everything about it with one key exception: the music.
I don’t care that I’m from Texas, I HATE country music and six months abroad did not change that one bit.
My dad chuckled this off, but I will never forget that dinner even though for him I imagine it was nothing particularly special. From that point forward, Texas Roadhouse became a symbol of home for me and I was ridiculously excited to see it in the Dubai mall. When I heard the song “Save a Horse Ride a Cowboy” emanating from the little restaurant my ears perked up and an enormous, childish smile spread across my face. The food at Texas Roadhouse was not local or even remotely cultural, but I didn’t care; at that moment I decided I would eat there before I left the UAE - even if it meant sitting alone in the corner.
It was non-negotiable.
Even still, neither the food nor the restaurant that night were what made the evening so memorable - it was actually the family dynamic between Will, Kurt, Lulu, and Sean (who they consider Will’s brother). While it’s all water under the bridge at this point in my life, my parents divorced after my first year of college and it wasn’t until this evening that I realized I haven’t sat down to dinner with both my parents for a night of lively conversation in over 7 years. It’s been so long that I’d completely forgotten the feeling and I didn’t even realize what I was missing out on until I had the chance to experience it again with Will’s family.
Sitting around the table with everyone chatting, cracking peanuts, and sipping on “traditional” southern ice tea (that Kurt was thrilled to discover) as we waited for our steaks was an immensely enjoyable experience. I cannot begin to describe how wonderful it was to make references to Texas, reminisce about Austin, and joke about life back in the US knowing that everyone at the table understood the context behind each story without the need for constant clarification. For Sean, Will, Kurt, and Lulu it was a special occasion to meet up, but I sincerely doubt they understood the joy I felt just being in their company and a part of their conversations. I am forever thankful to them for including me, because for a brief moment the sights, sounds, smells, tastes and people created a completely immersive experience where I legitimately felt like I was back home in Texas.
Ironically, that night was a rare glimpse into an authentic “Texan” life that I left behind. On my travels I’m always hunting for the “local experience,” but at dinner that night I realized there was a local “Texas experience” that is exactly like what I search for abroad, the only difference is that I’m familiar with Texas culture - it’s the one where I’m the “local." The experience is no better or worse that eating with locals from Germany, Ireland, Ukraine, Turkey, etc. halfway across the world, it is just one I’m used to taking for granted. After seeing so many wonderful foreign cities, people, and cultures around the world where I’m the odd-man-out, it is reassuring to know there is a spot on this earth, a group of people, and a culture (with all it’s flaws and quirks) that I get to call my own.
After our dinner at Texas Roadhouse, I experienced my first honest to god bout of homesickness since I left the US; I suppose there is some truth to the phrase, “You’ll never know the price of water until the well is dry.” For the last eight months I’ve lived a life full of hostels, adventurous solo travelers, novel experiences, and unique cultures, so much so that I forgot what it was like to have a “normal” life. To experience the family dynamic again made me appreciate what I was missing back home - realize that I've not experienced a family dinner in a very, very long time.
I want to thank Will, Lulu, Kurt, and Sean for the incredible dinner as well as lunch, drinks, and great conversations the following day on the hotel terrace. You will never know how special our meal at Texas Roadhouse was to me; I am repeatedly surprised by how the simplest things in life are often the best. I greatly enjoyed all of the unbelievable adventures we shared, but this meal was without a doubt the highlight of my entire trip to the UAE. Out of all the things I though I’d get to experience on my visit, the feeling of “home” was the furthest thing from my mind, but I wouldn’t have changed a thing. I am beyond thankful to you all for welcoming me with open arms and including me in your trip. Thank you so much!
You all can proudly say that the first time I ever enjoyed country music in my life was in your company. :)
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One last note: I want to personally thank Mrs. Lulu for generously donating her ticket to me to visit the top of the Burj Khalifa. I only briefly mentioned it in the post above, but visiting the top of that building has been on my bucket list for years. Your generosity took me completely by surprise and I can’t thank you enough for giving me the opportunity to visit the exclusive 148th floor (most people only go to the 125th floor). I still can’t believe I was up there and I want you to know it means a lot.
Thank you.