Texas Chronicles - Part 4: “Guns up!”, Hello Lubbock!

Text and photos:Phan Quoc Vinh(from the USA)

Little by little, it helped me feel less homesick, even though I couldn't find beef noodle soup, clam rice, or even a single drop of the persistent rain like in Hue.

I've been studying and working here for almost three years, and I still can't pronounce the city's name correctly. Sometimes it's "Liu bec," sometimes "Lo bec," but the correct pronunciation should be... "Lo bec." And my first impression is unmistakable: the locals greet you with "How are y'all," which means "you" and "all" pronounced "Hao a gio?"—a distinctly Texan style that you'll have to get used to gradually.

Lubbock is located in the county of the same name, in northwestern Texas. According to a 2012 census estimate, Lubbock had a population of approximately 240,000, making it the 84th most populous city in the United States and the 11th most populous city in Texas. Lubbock's nickname is "Hub City," meaning the central city of the South Plains (Hub refers to the axle of a wagon wheel, the slowest moving part of the wheel, located in the center).

Located in the geographical center of North America, Lubbock boasts excellent transportation links, both air and road, providing easy access to the East and West Coasts, Mexico, and Canada. Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport, served by four commercial airlines, has helped make Lubbock a regional hub. Originally known as Lubbock International Airport, it was renamed in 2004 in honor of former Texas Governor Preston E. Smith, an alumnus of Texas Tech University. It is also the leading airport among smaller cities in Texas (second only to Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Austin, and El Paso), playing host and serving as a major hub for FedEx transit flights to cities surrounding Lubbock.

When you arrive in Lubbock, always ask about Texas Tech University, a large university with one of the top ten largest campuses in the United States. It's like a miniature city with numerous member universities, dormitories, a sports complex with many different disciplines, a post office, police station, bank, bookstore, restaurants… and nearly 10 bus routes running in and out of the campus, plus a dedicated bus for students going to the library late at night or on weekends to party at bars until they're too drunk to drive themselves home. Therefore, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that if this city didn't have Texas Tech University, it would be like Hue suddenly losing its Imperial Citadel the next morning.

Many Vietnamese students choose to study here partly because the university has the largest Vietnam Archive Center in the United States. Previously, the Dang Thuy Tram Diary brought the center to worldwide attention and fame. In fact, the Lubbock Vietnam Archive Center is relatively new, having only appeared in 1989. It began with a group of American veterans who fought in Vietnam in West Texas, who wanted to establish a center for archiving documents and researching the lessons learned from the US military experience in Vietnam. The center's aim is to present objective voices and viewpoints from opposing sides of the war to draw lessons for the United States in the future. Furthermore, at the end of the 2011 Spice Cup chess tournament (October 26, 2011), Le Quang Liem came from behind to win the championship, also on the campus of this university.

Lubbock is planned to be the educational, economic, and healthcare center of Texas. But even with all the infrastructure of a major city, Lubbock retains the open atmosphere of a small town and the charm of the Wild West. Visitors will never feel like working here; they'll simply want to relax. The temperate climate is ideal for outdoor music, street festivals, sports, and wholesome recreation. The city's recreational areas include seven golf courses, 3,000 hectares of city parks, lakes, and public playgrounds close to nature.

Lubbock maintains the open atmosphere of a small town and the charm of the Wild West. Visitors will never feel the need to work when they come here; they will simply want to enjoy their relaxation.

This place is highly regarded as the birthplace of music, the home of singer Charles Hardin Holley (born September 7, 1936, died February 3, 1959), known as Buddy Holly, an American singer, songwriter, and pioneer of Rock & Rolls. Lubbock has a thriving performing arts and visual arts scene, including museums, theaters, and art galleries. The restaurants here are also diverse, offering a wide variety of dishes, from local produce to delicacies from Spain, Italy, Turkey, Mongolia, India, China, Mexico, and of course, Vietnam.

From fascinating wine tasting tours to renowned wineries like Llano and Caprock Winery, and fun local amusement parks, Lubbock is sure to keep residents and visitors feeling truly relaxed throughout the year. In addition, Lubbock's annual calendar features a plethora of festivals, celebrations, and concerts. I was also fortunate enough to hear live performances by famous American rock bands such as Evanescence, Bon Jovi, and Guns & Roses.

Lubbock is also renowned for its rich musical heritage, boasting not only Buddy Holly but also singer, songwriter, and actor Mac Davis and Natalie Maines of the band Dixie Chicks. The city center features numerous large theaters and excellent art galleries. Whether you enjoy classical, rock, or Tejano music, you're sure to find something to suit your taste in a concert hall or a roadside bar. My favorite is the "First Art Trail" on the first Friday of each month, when trolley cars take you to art attractions for free. Museum collections, encompassing works from ancient civilizations to modern art, can also be found in several locations here.

Whether you prefer classical music, rock, or Tejano music, this is sure to be the place to find something to suit your taste, whether in a concert hall or a roadside bar.

Indeed, the city of Lubbock has much to offer anyone who appreciates the arts of living. Major attractions include: the Texas Tech University Museum, the Heritage Museum, the Buddy Holly Center, the largest windmill museum in America, the American Farm Tools Museum, Mac Kenzie Park, and many more. And don't forget to visit the AT&T Jones Stadium, with a capacity of over 55,000 people, to witness the grandeur of this popular sport in the city!

And the best place to admire the stadium is the Texas Tech Club, with its elegant and sophisticated decor and attentive, courteous staff. If you're unfamiliar with the local menu, feel free to order the "West Texas Salpicon" salad, a delightful blend of vegetables, tomatoes, avocado, cheese, Mexican jalapeno peppers, purple onions, beef brisket, and chipotle dressing. Remember to ask for some Mexican-style "pico de gallo" (mixed vegetables) to experience the diverse local cuisine.

Just as Manchester United fans often wear red shirts and Chelsea fans wear blue, girls from Lubbock often prefer outfits with red and black color combinations, and boys at parties wear bow ties in black and red – these are the city's signature colors. Therefore, the easiest way to get acquainted is for tourists to wear clothing that incorporates these two main colors.

The friendliness of the locals is demonstrated by their willingness to help strangers, especially foreigners, from vendors to city bus drivers. Don't be surprised if a complete stranger greets you enthusiastically when you're out in the morning. And especially, simply raising your hand with a gesture made by extending your index fingers outward while extending your thumb inward, and your little and fourth fingers in between to form a gun means "Guns up!", a friendly greeting.

"Guns Up" is also the greeting gesture for a Texas Tech University Red Raider fan. It's also a victory sign displayed by the crowds at every sporting event featuring the home team. Historically, L. Glenn Dippe, a 1961 Texas Tech University alumnus, and his wife Roxie were living in Austin and faced the daily presence of "Hook 'em Horns"—the hand gesture used by fans for the Texas Tech University team. So, the Dippels decided to…retaliate. They looked to the Red Raider mascot and his large gun for inspiration. In 1971, Texas Tech University fans and cheerleaders immediately adopted the “Guns Up” gesture, and a new tradition was born that continues to this day.

For me, when asked about life in Lubbock, I'd probably just raise my hand and say "Guns up" to express my satisfaction with the long trip there.

Additional information:

- You can find more basic information about the city of Lubbock on the Vietnamese webpage created by the author before traveling to the US:http://welcometolubbock.weebly.com/index.htmlAdditionally, you can find more information about the city's tourist attractions at [link].http://www.visitlubbock.org/index.phpWhen researching, remember not to mistakenly type Bullock in the name of the city in Alabama.

- City bus routes are free for Texas Tech University students and children under 6 years old. Buying a day pass is cheaper than buying single-trip bus tickets. Bus routes within Texas Tech University are free for everyone. Driving within the university grounds is limited to 20 miles per hour. Exceeding this speed limit will result in flashing lights from police cars due to the widespread speed monitoring system.

- There is only one Vietnamese restaurant, Saigon Café, at address: 4515 50th Street. Phone: (806) 788-1367. And there are a few Asian markets owned by Chinese and Filipino people.

You should check out these 25 must-see attractions in Lubbock.http://www.tripadvisor.com/To plan your itinerary effectively, consider purchasing discount coupons from restaurants while sightseeing.www.groupon.comAlternatively, registering as a member of certain insurance companies like AAA will entitle you to discounted prices at restaurants for official members.  

The Thanh