This post is very special to me. It signifies a big shift, from the past to
the future. From the big city to a
slower pace. Let me describe the moment when I knew that leaving DC for Alabama was the right decision.
Last weekend I enjoyed a
beautiful trip to Washington, DC, to visit my boyfriend. He’s still living there and working while he
looks for a new job so he can join me here in his home state of Alabama. The
visit was picturesque: we walked lazily
beneath the cherry blossoms at the Tidal Basin; enjoyed long, leisurely
brunches; went to dinner at our two favorite restaurants; and even caught some
live music at the 9:30 club. But, one
moment in particular stood out for both of us.
On Friday night, weather was so mild that we flung his
apartment windows open to listen to the hum of Connecticut Avenue as we drifted
off to sleep. Yet, at 4:30 a.m. we were abruptly
awoken by the sound of a heated argument outside. One man was shouting at another man, loudly
and sternly. It went on for at least
five minutes, and we lay in bed – slightly annoyed, slightly perturbed, and a
little scared – trying to make out what he was saying. It turns out that a cop was shouting to a
severely intoxicated man, “How are you
going to pay this cab?” over and over, like he wasn’t getting the answer
that he wanted. Ah, DC. The land of (otherwise smart and
put-together) twentysomethings getting trashed every weekend in Adams Morgan,
being thrown in a cab, forgetting cab fare for their ride home (or worse,
losing their purse or wallet entirely).
I admit that I have been guilty of lots of debauchery myself. But this incident was different. The man was so disgustingly intoxicated, the
cop was so, so angry. It was all so…. loud.
Eventually the cop carted the man off to
spend what I’m sure was a very enlightening night in jail. And, we tried to go back to sleep.
The next day, we discussed the incident. I said to my boyfriend, “that was the moment when
I knew leaving DC was the right move.” He
agreed. It’s time for us to carve out a
life elsewhere. Somewhere where we can begin
to ponder what it would mean to settle down.
“You should blog about it,” said the boyfriend. So, I did, while sitting in the sunroom of my little house in Montgomery, Alabama, with all the windows open, listening to the peaceful
sounds of the morning songbirds. I am
home.
That's ok. It's my journey, not yours. Thanks for reading!
ReplyDeleteAlabama? Why do you have to leave the United States?
ReplyDelete@Mad Cabbie: Alabama is the subject of this blog. If you aren't into Alabama, I recommend that you don't read this particular blog. Thanks for stopping by!
ReplyDeleteAs a fellow Yankee ex-pat, I find Jim's remarks highly ignorant and clearly Jim has never lived outside his uptight, close-minded world. Alabama may be part of the South and its history (yes there is history here!) is varied and sometimes shameful. But, there are many other parts of the U.S. with just as varied history. In the NE, immigrants from Eastern Europe and Ireland were regularly discriminated against, as were blacks for a matter of fact. Having lived in many cities up and down the East Coast, Montgomery is one of the most integrated cities I have lived in. Other random fact: Lehman Brothers, that huge financial institution that brought about what seemed to be a financial apocalypse, was founded in Montgomery, AL.
ReplyDeleteAs for culture, where to begin. Montgomery is home to the Shakespeare Festival, a Museum of Arts, Civil Rights Museums, the Jasmine Hill Gardens, and a variety of other tourist attractions. Additionally, there is a wonderful sense of community here. Just the other week the local synagogue hosted a food festival as a fundraiser and I was pleasantly surprised to see people of all religions and demographics in attendance.
As for fun, we are lucky to have multiple jazz clubs; easy access to the outdoors for hiking, kayaking, swimming, running, or just hanging in the park; and multiple bars.
Life is slower down here and quieter. After spending time in NYC, DC, Atlanta, and Los Angeles, I agree with GMG's commentary on the lack of noise.
Finally, Jim, if you plan on attacking Alabama, next time please do it with proper grammar. You just sound uneducated on top of ignorant.
Oh, I almost forgot, some more cultural and historical insight:
ReplyDeleteZelda Fitzgerald was born and raised in Montgomery, AL. It is here that F. Scott met his wife. Just in case you don't know this Jim, but F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote "The Great Gatsby." While married, they spent a portion of their time here. I actually had the privilege of touring the only existing F. Scott Fitzgerald museum in the world.
Harper Lee, another author known for "To Kill a Mockingbird," was born and raised in Alabama.
I could go on, but luckily Wikipedia has a list of people page just for Montgomery, AL. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_people_from_Montgomery,_Alabama.
Enjoy!
I think people who wrongly judge Alabama have never actually been here. Never judge a place until you've experienced it for yourself.
ReplyDeleteOh, and btw, I'm so glad you are settling down here. It's definitely different from California and D.C., but there is something special about the South.