The Capital City

I have never truly moved away from my hometown. I grew up out in the country, and the nearest small town, where most of the "action" happened, was also where I went through a rather sheltered, liberal arts college experience. It's true that I put in plenty of party time in Cleveland, and spent a few summer weeks working in Pittsburgh - but I've never, in twenty-five years of life, pulled up stakes and permanently moved to a new city.

Now I am in the process of relocating to Columbus, Ohio. Not exactly the other side of the world, but it's a switch. And not just a switch from region to region, but to city life from country/small town life. Columbus may not be everyone's epitome of the bustling metropolis, but for a girl who grew up a mile down the road from a buffalo ranch, residing the same distance away from a Starbucks instead is a bit of a change. The Ohio State University alone, where I now work and where I will eventually be completing my undergrad degree, has more students than twice the population of the entire town from which I just moved.

And I already am enjoying it. Country peace and quiet is all very well and good, but after a lifetime of it, I am more than ready for the activity of a city. It's a pleasant thing to not have to plan a two-hour journey for a range of great restaurants, art galleries, or films. I like the novelty of busyness and purpose and drive. It makes me want to go and do and explore things. As if there's a constant, collective energy generated by so many lives and minds moving together in one place, and that you can tap into it for yourself.

It might be difficult for anyone not raised in a small town, especially a working-class Midwestern small town, to understand what exactly the big deal is about. But coming from that background, it doesn't take a whole lot to bring alive opportunities that always seemed out of reach. At the moment I am still staying with family outside of town, but soon will be living right in the thick of things - and I can't wait to be a city girl at last.

[Photo credit: click @ morguefile.com.]