Have you ever looked around your everyday environment and seen it through the eyes of a stranger? Have you explored the unique places and/or activities of your city? Have you ventured out and explored the nearby areas and found favorite little restaurants, antique shops, events, etc?
I ask these questions because I so often talk to people who never seem to be able to step back and view where they live as a stranger would. Every place has its great eateries, stores, bars, sports teams, events, seasonal activities and nearby excursions. For 20+ years I lived in Glastonbury, CT, two hours to midtown Manhattan by car or 1hr 40min by train from New Haven. I was always amazed at how many people I'd meet that lived in CT all their lives and had never been to Manhattan. In Glastonbury and the surrounding towns there were seasonal events that were so special I'd invite people to visit during those times to share them, i.e. Autumn Apple Festival, Grange/County Fairs, the magnificent color of a sunny Spring day, etc. Some people are not explorers but many more might be if they took the time to take off their blinders and see beyond what they drive or walk by everyday. Now that I'm living in Las Vegas, I have another opportunity to view a great world city as a visitor might, or as someone who has decided to move here might. When I first came here, everyone back East thought I lived on the Strip, gambled everyday and went to shows every night. While those things are vital to our City, we have so much more, especially if you are planning on living here; restaurants, Red Rock Canyon, Mt Charleston, within 4.5 hours to 5 National Parks, Utah's Shakespeare Festival, California Beaches, the incredible blue skies almost everyday, the snow dusted mountains around the Valley on a clear Winter morning, a diverse population and yes the incredibly creative architecture of the Las Vegas Strip.
How many things can you name about your home City/Town? If you were trying to entice someone to move there or showing a prospective homebuyer the advantages of moving there, what would you say? Have you explored beyond your everday boundaries? Of course, depending on someone's age they will have different interests, i.e. schools, senior activities, things for teenagers. Those things are important but they are often NOT the whole story of a place, its residents and its history. Do you know the history of your City/Town? I'm still learning about Vegas and Nevada.
I wrote this piece as a reminder that we sometimes become so entrenched in our everyday surroundings we don't see the diversity, the beauty or the uniqueness of where we live. I guess it goes back to stop and smell the coffee, the roses, or whatever you wish. Take those blinders off and view your City/Town as a stranger might - you might be surprised at what you discover. Would love to hear about your City/Town.
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