By Ila Couch in New York

I've noticed people in New York City crinkle their noses when you mention Texas. It's like they have a hard time disassociating the State's most unpopular resident from regular Texans which is ironic since people outside the United States tend to hold all Americans accountable for the President's actions. Me, I don't mind Texas which is a good thing because on short notice that's where I wound up for work this week.By Ila Couch in New York

I've noticed people in New York City crinkle their noses when you mention Texas. It's like they have a hard time disassociating the State's most unpopular resident from regular Texans which is ironic since people outside the United States tend to hold all Americans accountable for the President's actions. Me, I don't mind Texas which is a good thing because on short notice that's where I wound up for work this week.I've only been to the Lone Star State once before and that was a few years back when I spent 10 days on an exotic animal ranch working on an episode of Wife Swap. That one experience cemented in my head the idea that aside from its cities Texas is barren cattle land, cowboy boots and gallon hats. Checking into my hotel just outside of San Antonio, I spot a stack of neon pamphlets that prove me wrong. All my Christmases come at once, there's a river and it's just five minutes away from the hotel.

In New Braunfels where I'm staying there are 26 companies in the business of providing you with everything you need to tube down the Comal and Guadalupe rivers. Tubing is big business in these parts and since you can spend hours meandering down stream people end up packing supplies to take with them. I'm not exaggerating when I say people fill their coolers (yanks laugh when I say chilly bin) with booze and snacks and float down the river. The local government is in the process of clamping down on the use of glass and Styrofoam because people can't be trusted to take these things with them.

Since I'm in town for work I don't have time for extended trips down the river and as it is I'd rather find a quiet spot to myself which is what I set out to do one morning. The thing is every sign I pass says no trespassing. There's even a sign on either side of a bridge I'd consider public property if I were home. As I stand by the side of the road a guy jogs straight past me to the rivers edge, takes off his shirt and shoes and jumps in. Emboldened I get in too and ask him about the signs we're blatantly ignoring. With the kind of common sense I'd use back home he says "it's the river". Since I'm not an American Citizen I like to avoid any possible situation that might bring me into contact with the law and I appreciate when he jokingly tells me he'll put a good word in with my parole officer. When you live in a country with a shoot first, ask questions later policy it's a good idea to watch what the locals do before you make any sudden moves.

I am pretty sure I'll be in New York for the next few weeks if anyone is wondering when I'll start getting round to writing about what's happening there. I even have a few interviews to upload to TBI's Youtube Channel if I can just stay put long enough to do that.

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