I can never get enough of city life. I'm a city girl. I grew up in a very super urban (ok ghetto) area, and I've been working in NYC since I was 18. NO city I've visited can beat the magnitude of NYC. The buildings are the towering highest, the charmingly and unwavering oldest, and the streets are chock full of the most diverse, the most talented, the worst, and best people anywhere. No matter where I roam, I will ALWAYS come back to New York. It is the world, all in one island.
This weekend we visited Maine, and I was blown away by the nature. We drove along the seemless coastline. For miles and miles, it was nothing but the open blue, pink, and purple sky, the radiant sun, and the babbling, glinting water. No state I've visited is so beautiful, so vibrant in any of the four seasons, or so cultured. The people are a far cry from anyone I've met in Jersey. They are friendly, polite, but reserved. They'll say hi with a certain warmth, but do NOT expect you to get in hour long conversations. There are art galleries in every town, not only the city. People are pacing themselves, and in the winter, make time to sit around by a fiery hearth every night with a glass of red wine. Everything is beautiful. The McDonald's in Freeport is an old Victorian house. You wouldn't know it, save for the sign on the front lawn. I felt a little out of place with my Doc Martens vs the LL Bean boots everyone has, but I also felt really relaxed, and in a way, at home. It was just so f***ing peaceful!
We also visited Portland, the bustling heart of ME. The city was like a clean, more mature, more artsy, homeless-free downtown Jersey City. It was by far less congested, and the people keep to themselves. There isn't even a traffic report in Portland, because there is no traffic. People care about what they DO. I went to a coffee shop where they actually cared about how the coffee was brewed. One worker said he went to San Francisco to learn "the craft" of coffee! As a friend of mine said, they DO life, they don't have life DONE to them. Unbelievable! I didn't even sweeten my drink.
In the town center, a high scaffolding was set up for snowboarding and skiing tricks. Other people watched on as they walked their huge golden and chocolate labradors (seemed like the state dog!) along the cobblestone streets.
The city is pocket sized, and charming. Due to the legendary "Great Fire" of Portland, all buildings were made of brick and stone. The cobblestone streets remain unpaved, but are well kept, moreso than Brooklyn's! The city is a beautiful smear of clay reds & pinks of brick, accented with teals, greens, and yellows. The shops are all independent, except for the one Starbucks I spotted on a corner. ;-) The signs everywhere boast and advocate the cry: "keep Portland independent". No sellouts there, just yet.
Once again, I am reminded of the importance of a change of environment. Even if only for a moment. Nature should be appreciated, and not paved. The city life is and always will be for me, but I can't get stuck in any one place and become stagnant. It's important to surround yourself with people who are motivated, and who set goals, and at the same time concentrate on the present things. Life is good! Thanks Maine!
