South Texas Woman Comes Home For The Holidays. A Trip To HEB Reminds Her Why She Left

A South Texas woman says she only goes home to the Valley once a year. Now that she’s back for the holidays, she recalls why she left.

Gabriella Francesca, whose bio suggests she now lives in Washington, D.C., says she limits visits back to Texas to around the holidays because the “drama” gets old fast. In a recent TikTok, she runs through what she’s seen in just a short stretch of time.

“I’ve seen so many fights in the past two weeks, at least three,” Francesca says. One involved a wedding guest driving into a ditch. Another, she claims, broke out at her local HEB, where she says she watched moms “yelling at each other.”

But what really pushed her over the edge, Francesca says, is the constant road rage. She says it’s especially jarring considering she’s visiting Texas, a state where gun ownership is common.

“No one’s scared,” she says. “No one gives an [expletive].”

She says that part of the problem is boredom, arguing there’s “nothing else” to do. That lack of outlets, she claims, turns small moments into big blowups.

“There’s nothing else but to get in trouble,” Francesca says. “I’m convinced that if a city doesn’t have a good walking system … it’s not the same.”

By the end of the clip, she sounds resigned to the routine.

“We can’t have nothing. We can’t be chill ever,” Francesca says, explaining why she sticks to one visit a year. As of Saturday, her video had just over 700 views.

Things To Do In South Texas

If you grow up in South Texas, it might be easy to believe that there’s nothing to do. But according to those who have visited and can compare the Valley to truly desolate places, that line of thinking only really works if you never leave your usual loop.

Sure, the Rio Grande Valley is quieter than Austin, Dallas, or Houston, but that doesn’t mean it’s empty. A lot of what the region offers just isn’t loud or flashy—in a lot of cases, it’s outdoors, local, and rewards people who actually go looking.

Though not in the Valley, if you’re willing to go on a bit of a drive, South Padre Island isn’t too far away. And for people who love the great outdoors, the Valley is one of the best birding regions in the country. There are also tons of trails and preserves in South Texas.

The Valley also has a series of historical sites in or near it, such as the Palo Alto Battlefield.
And on a day-to-day basis, there’s plenty to do that won’t involve a long car ride—local food scenes, pop-ups, community events, gyms, and parks. Families can visit places like the Gladys Porter Zoo, while others spend weekends fishing, biking, or driving aimlessly to get out.

If you’re visiting the Valley or are just passing through for the holidays, it’s important to know upfront that, unlike some other Texas towns, there won’t be nonstop stimulation. Unfortunately, if you expect the type of activities you’d find in Austin or Houston, you’ll be bored. But if you’re willing to slow down, there’s more to the Valley than people like to admit.

Is the Valley Boring?

While plenty of people find reasons to love the area, people in the comments made it clear Francesca isn’t alone in her take on the Valley. Plenty of viewers said they shared her boredom, or had already packed up and left.

“Moved out of McAllen 40 years ago,” one man shared. “Best choice ever.”

Another pinned the issue on larger forces, writing, “I blame the state.”

A different commenter took a more abstract approach, adding, “Our mental state of minds are being subliminally affected influentially.”

Some responses were more blunt.

“I don’t leave the house because I live in Harlingen,” one person admitted.

Others said Francesca’s frustration was familiar enough that it pushed them out of Texas entirely.

“Same,” another viewer chimed in. “I’m enjoying Illinois weather haha.”

A few commenters argued the problem isn’t unique to the Valley.

“You basically described San Antonio as well,” one person wrote.

Still, not everyone agreed. Some rushed to defend Texas, pointing to cities they say offer far more excitement.

“Dallas>>>,” one viewer declared.

Another singled out a tourist staple, writing, “San Antonio’s river walk is pretty good.”

Francesca jumped back into the conversation to clarify her point. “I mean, it’s AIGHTTTT but that’s not the Valley.”

Patch has reached out to Francesca via a direct message on TikTok.

@gabriellafrancesca1