🌵 USA Travel Log 1

🌵 USA Travel Log 1: Three Days in Fort Worth, Texas | A Culinary Adventure from Cowboy Town to Mexican Cactus Under the blazing Texas sun, my Fort Worth journey began in the most “Texan” way possible—at the Stockyards National Historic District. 🤠 This well-preserved neighborhood feels like a step back into the 19th century, with the dust and spirit of adventure still hanging in the air. Wooden buildings, an old steam train, and real cowboys strolling the streets instantly transport you. For lunch, we chose the famous H3 Ranch steakhouse. 🥩 Pushing open the heavy wooden door revealed a dimly lit space adorned with trophy heads and vintage Western photos. We ordered the signature ribeye, medium-rare. When the server brought the sizzling skillet, the rugged aroma of meat was irresistible. The steak had a perfect sear outside and a tender, pink interior, served with a baked potato and local beer—pure, unadulterated Texas flavor. In the afternoon, we escaped into the cool confines of the Fort Worth Zoo. 🐘 The zoo is ingeniously designed with spacious, naturalistic habitats. The most delightful surprise was in the aquarium, where I saw seahorses swimming for the first time! 🐠 I’d only ever seen pictures of them floating upright. Watching them propel themselves horizontally with rapidly fluttering dorsal fins was magical—like tiny, elegant dancers in the water. Seeing their curly tails grasp onto seagrass was a moment that washed away all travel fatigue. We ended the first day with a steaming bowl of ramen from Handi Ramen & Izakaya. 🍜 The rich tonkotsu broth, soft-boiled egg, chashu, and firm noodles provided the perfect balance and comfort after the day's hearty Texan fare. Day2️⃣ was filled with tension and ultimate relief—IELTS exam day. 📝 Hours of focus in a testing center far from home culminated in seeing that all band scores finally hit 6. The feeling of release was immense. Never again! 🙏 To celebrate, we headed to Istanbul Grill for dinner. 🥂 The Turkish restaurant welcomed us with warm lighting, elegant tableware, and fragrant spices. A mixed grill platter sizzled with aroma, served with warm, soft pita and tzatziki that instantly melted away the day's exhaustion. Good food truly is the most effective therapy. Day3️⃣ called for a leisurely stroll through the Fort Worth Botanic Garden. 🌺 In America’s oldest botanical garden, the rose garden was in full bloom, the Japanese Garden offered serene tranquility, and tall trees provided ample shade. Here, time seemed to slow down. For lunch, we tried the highly recommended Don Artemio for authentic Mexican cuisine. 🌮 The most fascinating experience was trying fried cactus (Nopales)! 🌵 The texture was slightly slimy, like okra, with a unique, refreshing tang—very appetizing. Paired with lamb tacos and Mexican beer, it was a whole new adventure for the taste buds. In the evening, we experienced the legendary Amtrak train. 🚂 It lived up to its reputation by being an hour late, but once aboard, the seats were indeed spacious and comfortable with plenty of legroom and luggage space. Watching the vast Texas plains turn golden in the setting sun through the window, the slowed-down journey had its own unique charm. Over these three days, Fort Worth painted a vibrant and lively portrait of Texas for us with its cowboy ruggedness, zoo wonder, garden serenity, and global flavors. This was more than just a trip; it was a chapter of growth about relaxation, challenge, and discovery. ✨ #Texas#MyStudyAbroadStory#CaptureTheMoment#FortWorthTravel#FoodDiary#CulturalExploration