(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Since moving to Austin, I’ve heard nothing but shit-talking among native Austinites and wish-they-were native Austinites alike about Dallas, TX.  There is an entire store across the street from me that is dedicated to T-shirts and magnets praising the liberal-minded, free-spirited, music-loving, outdoors-centric Austin and poking fun of the more conservative, metropolitan, industrial Dallas.  I was born and raised in Dallas.  If I had to Sophie’s-choice-it between the two polar opposite Texas cities, I would choose to live in Austin… that’s why I am here now…   le duh.  Don’t get me wrong though, there will also be affinity in my heart for the Big D.  It’s where I grew up.  It’s the mother who one second embarrasses the crap out of me, and who the next second, makes me heart-warmingly proud to know her.

I just got back from my first trip to the D since I moved out here to Austin.  It was my father’s birthday, so I took my sweetest with me to see where I grew up, and I was reminded of all the wonderful things I see when I look at the Big D:

1. Diversity. I miss this in Austin.  It’s not that there isn’t diversity at all in Austin, but it’s not at all like the Big D where the entire metroplex is sprinkled with people from all walks of life to learn from each other and help contribute to a unique blending of cultures.
2. Dressed-to-the-nines.  Men from all over seem to always say that some of the most beautiful women reside in Dallas, TX.  After going back, I have to say, I agree. Again, it’s not that beautiful people don’t reside elsewhere, but it seems that there is another breed of people who reside in Dallas, TX.  Perhaps it’s because some of the cliches are true… We love to shop.  Our hair IS big.  Or at least, better.  (Ha!  Kidding).  But really… North Park, here we come!  We really do dress-to-the-nines, and sometimes it’s just to go to the grocery store.  When I moved to Austin, I thought it was funny that women here not only wear their yoga pants to the gym but also for the purpose of shopping… WHA!?  You mean to say that yoga pants outside of the gym is socially acceptable, and I am only just now finding this out?  Dammit.  These Austin women are really on to something.
3. Southern Hospitality.  It’s true that southern hospitality does not simply reside in Dallas, TX, but maybe it’s just nice to go back and realize that the people there have not lost their charm.
4. Family. The Dallas metroplex is surrounded by suburbia, but family is important to Dallasites.  It’s obvious.
5. Industrial Living/Cow Town.  You can turn the corner and on one side of the road is beautiful industrial architecture, and on the other side is a cow or five.  It’s pretty astounding.

Don’t worry Dallas; my heart may be in Austin now, but I’ve left a piece of it with you… and your big hair.