When some people see that, they see boredom. They see no public transportation, movie theaters or shopping malls. They see days of horrifying emptiness stretching as far as the eye can see. They see something to be escaped, run from as fast as possible. They see a prison.
When I see that, I see freedom. I see freedom to be as loud as you want without bothering the neighbors. I see freedom to let your kids run wild without worrying that they'll be kidnapped or killed. I see space to run and yell and spin and jump and lie down.
I see air filled with the friendly scent of grass and the spicy scent of leaves.
I see land that belongs to people, not corporations. I see land that you can DO things with, without checking committees or offending anyone. I see land that will live on through arguments and laws and regulations and time. I see something strong and beautiful and enduring.
When some people see the country, they see a prison. When I see the country, I see freedom.
When some people see that, they see excitement. They see things to do and people to see. They see a city that never sleeps, never stays the same. They see newness and beauty. They see cabs and subways and sidewalks. They see opportunity. They see freedom.
When I see that, I see crowds. I see noise and dirtiness and odd smells. I see walls closing me in and cutting me off from the world. I see frowns and shoving and people getting in my way. I see rushes and not enough time. I see conformity and a looming atmosphere. I see a prison.
I see so much individuality that true uniqueness is lost. I hear words guarded so carefully that inspiration doesn't have a chance. I see so much dependence that solitude is treated like a disease. I see rules and regulations. I see people getting offended while shrieking about tolerance. I see people all up in my business. I see no privacy.
I see a cage of conformity, a brig buildings, hubbub of hassle.
When some people see a city, they see freedom. When I see a city, I see a prison.
If you love the city, I'm glad for you. If you love the country, I understand you. To each his own, and that's just the way it ought to be. Whether you see freedom in the country or freedom in the city, we all have one thing in common:
We all think we're right XD
~Stephanie
I'm a city boy for sure. Occasionally while driving through the country I think "wow, I could totally live here". But no, I couldn't. My friend's family moved to the country years ago. I could not visit for a night without going into the city. My parents are moving out into the country, I knew I had to stay. The one thing I love about the city is that people aren't in your business. Nobody much cares about your business if you stay out of theirs.
ReplyDeleteYeah, and the clubs;)
I'm a country girl through and through. I've grown up on a ranch in the middle of no-where for goodness sake! I love it here. I can go for a walk and just walk for an hour and still be on my own land. I can listen to my music and sing along as loud as I want and no one is bothered. It's peaceful.Yes, with the country comes hard work, but that's not a bad thing. I do wish I was closer to a small town. I'm 45 min from any town. The closest big city (Austin) is an hour and a half away. I would love to be married and still live "in the country" but at the same time be a little closer to town. I would suffocate in the city :P
ReplyDeleteLove always,
Alana
I'm a country girl without a doubt! I love the countryside and linving in the big city is A NO NO for me. I wouldn't be able to handle the massive crowd, the dirtyness and all that noise. Nah, not for me at all.
ReplyDeleteWow, I just have to mention this post was very well written.
ReplyDeleteI moved from the city at just age 5, but I never really struck it with the people around here.. We're still the weird, must-be-avoided family. I would love to own a lot of land in the country, and be able to do what you want, but my neighbors tend to glare at you evilly for coming anywhere near their field, and threaten to shoot your dog if it comes onto their land again.
If I had the land, I'd plant lots of trees and flowers, then do something productive with it, rather than just object to anyone doing anything near it!
But saying that, you can't beat a country breeze, and it's usually very quiet.
As for the city, I just love the oppurtunity - so many different people in such a small place. It's a triumph for humanity, and since so few people would know you, you could think and believe what you wanted without exile and telling-off from the general public. But then there's pollution, and the fact that you have to share many things, and that it might not be the best place for young kids.
A matter of opinion, I suppose.
Again, wonderful post :)
Both have their pro's and con's. I'm a city girl- but only because it's always been that way for me.
ReplyDeleteIn saying that, my grandma does own a farm and I do go there occasionally to clear my head and help her out.
What a dilemma if I had to choose!
Jamie: Haha, the clubs XD Yeah, that is one thing that I doubt the country will ever be able to boast about…
ReplyDeleteAlana: HECK YES! :D Gah, that sounds amazing. I feel like country work is really important. It teaches you A) how to work, B) responsibility and C) the value of your dollar. Although, I mean, other kinds of work can do that too. Country work just seems more legit to me personally XD I do like being only 10 minutes from a town and 30 from a city though.
Normal: Yup :) Same here.
Ginger: Thank you!! :) Ah, that is one downside to country life, I guess. People are really cliquey, they don’t always let in “outsiders.” Which is weird though, because we’re also really nice and friendly.
Actually, it just occurred to me that I’m talking about SOUTHERN country in the US. So it might be different in Midwestern country, or Irish country, haha.
Yeah, people with lots of land should do something with it. Huge gardens or something are cool.
Some opportunities are definitely hard to get in the country :)
Writer: Good thing you can have the best of both words :D
~Stephanie