Faina goes to Texas: novice questions
 

I will be on a tour starting in El Paso, do I need a visa for Texas coming from California?

What is the currency in Texas, can't find on Google. And what is the official language?

Do I need a passport to come back to CA, and how do I get one?

Coming home, I'll have a layover in Las Vegas, is this is where I go through customs? Will I have to re-check my luggage?

Is water safe for drinking, or do I need to brush my teeth out of a bottle?

Do I need to bring spare batteries for my camera? They say, everything is bigger in Texas, what is the size of AAA batteries they sell there?

Just stay clear of "the little cowboy" and you'll be fine

I don't know the answers to most of them, but actually don't be surprised if you feel put off by the taste of water. Much of the water in TX comes from surface water and is heavily treated.

Hetch Hetchy water it ain't.

I was going to say bring your big Hair but I don't think its that chic any more there!!1

Are you going to Dallas? I have great restaurant recs.

Anne, if seriously, I will only fly in and out of El Paso taking the Caravan tour of Copper Canyon.

J62, thank you, I'll see if I can drink instead of water... heck, what do they drink there in TX?

LOL Faina!
First rule...Wear cowboy boots.
I think the currency in Texas is an Amex Platinum card? I used to have an uncle in Texas, he spoke Texan but I never learned. Most of them understand what we speak though.

In Las Vegas you don't have to go through Customs but when you leave, what you did there, stays there.

I hear they don't drink water in Texas. I hear it is champagne..or is that Paris? I always get confused.

Everything in Texas is bigger, leave that little bitty camera at home and bring along a film and sound crew.

Do you still remember how to tease your hair?

Well howdy there, little Fainer. So yer a comin' to Texas?? Well, wooo, doogies!! <):)

OK, I'll speak English for the benefit of the non-Texans on the board. English is widely spoken here, but if you are a courteous and thoughtful tourist, you will learn at least a few words of Texan in order to get by. Here are a few useful words/phrases:

English: Hello
Texan: Howdy or HiDoo

English: Thanks
Texan: I shore do appreciate it

English: I'm quite pleased to make your acquaintance
Texan: Glad to know ya.

English: I'll drive you to the supermarket
Texan: I'll carry ya down yonder to the Piggly Wiggly

English: What lovely diamond earrings!!
Texan: Them's some good-looking diamond earscrews!!

(the above Texas words/phrases are all direct quotes from my late grandparents. ((L)) Yes, they called earrings "earscrews")

As with all countries, ATMs will dispense the local currency. That currency, of course, is cow chips. The great thing about Texas is that it's not uncommon to find our currency on the ground, especially after the rodeo has been in town. The AmEx Platinum card is also accepted.

There is no pure water in Texas. When you turn on the faucet you will get Lone Star beer.

If you show up at a fine restaurant, such as the Sizzlin' Sirloin, it is imperative that you are dressed in either Western Wear, or something purchased from a local WalMart. If you are not dressed according to our strict standards, you will certainly be turned away.

And best of all, Texas welcomes everyone, regardless of where you live. Some people from the north are worried that we won't accept them, but that's simply not true. I'm glad you are coming to TX, my only regret is that El Paso almost 600 miles from Austin, so I can't stop by to meet you. :-(

Have a great trip!!

Faina, you have to be prepared for one unfortunate reality. When you exchange your CaliDollars for TexDollars, you'll have to do it at the international exchange rates. That's right... one CaliDollar is worth only 37 cents Tex.

Many Californians are unaware of this. They don't realize that that is why a two bedroom one bath bungalow built in the San Fernando Valley in 1951 costs $600,000, do to the lower buying power of a Cali Dollar.

Actually, you should have been made aware of this when you applied for your Texas visa. You do have one, don't you? If you didn't know, Cali was removed from the visa waiver program a few years back, in favor of individual interviews... we want to protect Texas from the horde of illegal Cali aliens that use our public services and pay no taxes... besides, they take jobs away from the Mexicans, Guatemalans and Nigerian cabbies.

I know it's unfortunate that you are from a state with such a heavy outflux of fleeing refugees... law-abiding visitors such as yourself are tarred with the same brush as the illegals. But don't worry... the Texas immigration officers will distinguish you from the rifraff... just show him your return ticket back to Cali.

Oh and yeah... try to lose the accent.

LOL Cali dollars!!

aceplace, loved your post, especially the last line.

All y'all, try to lose the accent!!

:-D

LOL, P_M, you missed your callin' darlin'! :-D

Welcome to Texas, Fainer, we'll leave the light on for ya! ;-)

Faina,

What time of year will you be abroad?

Texas can be hotter than a pregnant field mouse in a wool sock.

You also didn't ask about guns. In Texas, they are much more in vogue than they are back home in SF. Something in basic black is always appropriate.

Don't forget the belt buckle -- you've got to have the big belt buckle. ((b))

You all made my day!

(A Yankee in Texas)

Please do not dress like someone from San Francisco since there are absolutely no people like that ANYWHERE in Texas.

You must try very hard to dress appropriately so you will not appear to be a tourist. Now in El Paso, I have no idea what that means! LOL Where the h*ll is El Paso??? Who goes there and why is it growing so fast?? No, I would not drink the water. Wine only for teeth brushing.

Seriously Faina...Copper Canyon is supposed to be a wonderful trip--I'd love to go some day! Have fun and write us a trip report...on El Paso. :)

Leave the pink tutu at home. :-)

http://www.cutelittleme.com/beary-basics-pink-tutu.html ((b))

Budman,
I won't even ask how you came up with that little item...

I can just picture myself in heavy cowboy boots, heavy cowboy buckle, can barely move my feet dragging a heavy suitcase while fanning myself with the cowboy hat...

But I am not a boy! Are there the same items for cow-girls? And I don't mean chocolate milk cows :)

And if yes, what the website I can order them from?

(who the heck is the little cowboy?)

Faina, had a fellow traveler on a recent Caravan Tour to Costa Rica who had done the Copper Canyon trip and loved it.
Have fun.