City living

A short piece on city living.

Since my uncle and aunt moved to the Gold Coast of Chicago, I have been raving about my desire to live in the big city. City living is fast paced, lively, cosmopolitan, and intriguing. I love walking through the city seeing new buildings and interesting people (tourists vs. the locals), strolling through the parks that are mini sanctuaries hidden in the city of chrome, and choosing restaurants based on food and ambiance. It’s always thrilling to be in this buzzing city.

A change of perspective.

Since living in Valencia, another big city, I have decided to revoke my desires to LIVE in a big city. Living in the city is definitely different than visiting it for a few days. Adapting to the city life—getting around, limited greenery, the people—was a challenge.

At first I had some difficulties finding my way around, but that is natural. What took me a while to discover was how city people get around. When I visit Chicago I walk everywhere! Distance does not faze me. Here, in Valencia, I used to walk everywhere; however, I’ve realized inconvenience of this form of transportation. To walk to school it takes 40 minutes one way; to choir, 35; to English class, 15. For a while I could not understand where all of my time was going. I wasn’t having time to do homework. Now I know it was due to walking 3 hours every day just to get to where I needed to go!

I’m a woman of solutions. So what did I do to resolve this problem? I bought a bike subscription. For 18 euro I can ride public bikes that are stationed throughout Valencia to get to wherever I need to go in half the time and at more than half the cost (fiscally and environmentally) of the bus! The other day I took a bike into the heart of the city to go grocery shopping. I was literally laughing to myself aloud because I found myself riding on sidewalks along the pedestrians (it’s legal!) and on some of the busiest streets with crazy bus drivers. I had to chuckle, because to me, riding a rented city bike down a city street to go grocery shopping meant that I was a real city girl.

Finding nature was a little challenging, but for 2 euro I can take a bus to Alfombra, This spot has a lake, the ocean, and a forest. I’ve been there once, but plan on going back. Also, there are tiny plots throughout the city with trees (no grass :-/) that make good reading spots.

Adjusting to the people in the streets was difficult and affected me the most. At first, I changed myself to become a person of the city—what a mistake! I listened to everyone who said when you walk down the street don’t smile, don’t look, and don’t make small talk, because it’s not normal here. The adherence to this advice was short lived. I quickly realized I’m not happy if I live so impersonally. I have yet to meet one rude or dangerous person when I’ve made small talk in the grocery store or while waiting at a cross walk or standing in the subway. I’ve decided not to follow the norm of city life here, but to bring my twist to it! It makes me happy, and it brings a smile to the faces of others.

Morgan is leaving her mark on Spain! Oh, how the Spaniards love when she asks seemingly obvious questions in the grocery store! Everyone gets a good laugh.