I came by this the hard way. I've read poetry and essays and books about the outdoors and living the rural life. From Thoreau to Bass to hundreds of others, I've pored over the call of the wild, so to speak. Whether its living in the woods and under the stars, or hiking a mountain trail and camping on the side of a cliff, or simply building a cabin down by a river or stream. I have taken it all in. And I thought when I was younger that was what I wanted to do.
I was wrong.
I love it all. I love the mountains, I love hiking and exploring nature. I love driving the back roads looking for moose and bear, deer, and bobcats. I love the solitude and the quiet and the rivers and streams, just a paddle and canoe and the peace of moving along.
For about a week. Maybe two if there is enough booze.
But after that, I crave buildings. And cars and noise and people and sidewalks. Brick, asphalt, the sights and smells of a city. You can find solitude in a city. I would argue its easier than in a small town where everyone knows you. There you have to talk to people but in the city where you hardly know anyone, there is the unwritten rule of mind your own business and I'll mind mine. There's a dance, a rhythm to the city where in you look away or you look and nod, but it's a silent action. Or mostly silent. Then there are the random acts of kindness that are displayed every day by strangers: someone opens the door for you and you smile, you say thank you. You drop your phone and someone stops and helps you. For a moment there is a connection between you and that person that's part of the tapestry of a city.
Of course there are assholes in the city as well. There are burglars, and robbers, and meth heads, and well, assholes. But because there are more of them, doesn't mean the ratios are any different. We have those out in rural areas as well. Every place will have its good and bad, ups and downs.
I like the convenience of a city. I currently am in Arkansas where the nearest store, nearest anything is 20 mins and 7 miles of gravel road away. My condo in Portland (Maine, not that "other" Portland) is set between a bakery/meat market/coffee place and what is essentially a bodega on the other side. When I am there, I don't have to drive for a week. Maybe make a trip to the larger grocery store for paper towels and bulk items. But mostly I can walk to get anythng I want. And I love the familiarity of the places and things I see on my walk rather than driving; there's more time. And I love seeing people, and even though I don't talk to them, or know them, because it's my neighborhood, we might smile and nod, or just do the polite non-stare. Or if you are inclined (and especially if you have a pet), you might stop and talk for a minute with the person passing by. Anonymous city folk going about their days.
