{"id":14701,"date":"2025-08-15T22:24:09","date_gmt":"2025-08-16T04:24:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eaumaison.us\/?p=14701"},"modified":"2025-08-25T17:09:14","modified_gmt":"2025-08-25T23:09:14","slug":"enhypen-in-houston-part-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eaumaison.us\/index.php\/2025\/08\/15\/enhypen-in-houston-part-1\/","title":{"rendered":"Enhypen in Houston (Part 1)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

I just got back from an amazing solo vacation! I have list of k-pop groups I want to see in concert and when Enhypen announced their latest US tour I grabbed a ticket. The best stop for my schedule and travel convenience turned out to be Houston. I’ve never been to Texas!! What better season than AUGUST, right? Also, Enhypen are heavily vampire themed, and the irony of seeing them in the sweltering heat was too funny! I didn’t try to get a partner for this trip. I wanted to travel solo to see if I can enjoy myself (spoilers – yes I can!) and I wanted the freedom to book everything, including ticket price, to my own comfort and convenience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tuesday morning I finished packing, did some yoga, and packed a sack lunch before Ben dropped me off at the light rail station. This was my first time taking the train to the airport and it wasn’t that bad! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I put TamTam (SVT tiger) in my ita bag for the trip. He was a great buddy. I had my Enhypen hyphen lightband in keychain mode got fun too. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The flight never turned off the seatbelt sign and I regretted being so well hydrated. But I made it! <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The hair is frizzing, I must be in Texas!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Mom lovingly booked me a room at the Marriott Marquis downtown. The hotel was gorgeous and sparkly and just two blocks from the venue! But the cherry on top? They surprised me with an upgrade! I learned later that they put me in the Vice Presidential suite that normally costs almost $3000 a night! Insane. The room was incredible. I spread out and used every room. It felt a little wasted being alone in there, but it was so comfortable and luxurious even by myself. I spent so much time gazing out the windows at the amazing views. I had a perfect view of the concert venue. I arrived on Day 1 of the this tour stop, with my ticket for Day 2. I could see the fans lined up for the first night, and I watched them leave later too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Foyer with extra bathroom<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Living room<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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King bedroom with double closet<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Gigantic bathroom<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Hallway<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Dining room and bar<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Pool view<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Park view<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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All the engenes attending day 1<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After unpacking I walked to the venue to scope out the plan for Day 2, and check the merch booth. I had my heart set on a certain keychain and was sad it was sold out. It was exciting to see fans though, and my lightband synchronized with the concert signal! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Pulsing purple instead of the orange setting I had chosen.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I walked to a foodcourt to see more of the town and grab dinner. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Smurf?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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“Underground Hall’<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Waiting for taco<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Eating dinner in my suite while the sun sets<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Not very tired, so I floated a lap around the Texas-shaped lazy river and gazed at the city from the whirlpool. Then I took a long shower, put on a face mask, and played online games. I watched the engenes (Enhypen fans) leave the venue and went to bed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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My suite on the27th floor with the curtains closed<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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I woke early and had breakfast in the club lounge, then summoned a ride to the suburbs. There was a special pop-up shop at the Memorial City Mall! Only 2 of the 4 US stops got shops, so I felt I HAD to visit. Ben requested some juicy mall pics and I obliged. I arrived at the store 45 minutes before opening and the line wasn’t long yet. Freebies were passed out. I was very sad that they were long sold out of that keychain and the employee suggested I come back next week. Boo! I bought a towel (I have a growing collection that I use in dance class) and stopped at Uniqlo down the hall. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Heeseung!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Another Heeseung!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The line was 3 levels deep by opening (I was near the front)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Meh. Sold out of a lot. Sad about the keychain.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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These bandaids tempted me, but 1) not vampiric enough and 2) I’d probably never use them.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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They had a DIY keychain station but it looked like cheap 3D print plastic. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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“A towel, it says, is about the most massively useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker can have”<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Meh to the dress. I got a white tank and a lightweight emerald sweater. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Now, I could<\/em> have called a ride to lunch, but the map showed it was only a 17 minute walk! I can do that! I ditched my cardy, whipped out my parasol and sunglasses, and swigged my water bottle. Ugh. It was a terrible walk along highways and between parking garages. But I made it! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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These fluffy ferns were everywhere! <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The Pit Room<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dude, this barbecue was SO GOOD. I got the brisket and a bunch of veggies, with okra being the big winner. I thought the bread looked dumb, but it was actually a ncie contrast with bites of meat. I had 3 refills of diet coke while I cooled off and chatted with my family. I definitely caught a few looks from the local patrons – it’s mostly men 40s-60s, and none had brought their ita bag along!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Such a line at 11:30!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Smells so goooood<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Sweet nectar of the gods!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Yeah, this meat is legit. Worth coming to the suburbs.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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