"We go eastward to realize history and study the works of art and literature, retracing the steps of the race; we go westward as into the future, with a spirit of enterprise and adventure."
~Henry David Thoreau from Walking
I came across this quote while reading A Journey North by Adrienne Hall, who quoted Thoreau in her novel which is based on her experience on the Appalachian Trail.
This quote called out to me.
I have gone eastward...to study the works of...journalism (and literature I would presume). I am here for academic purpose more so then by my own spirited will. I'm not trying to say I don't want to be in Washington D.C., I do, but I'm not here to live forever. I generally like living here, knowing that this is not permanent. I enjoy not having to sit in traffic or drive (even though I do miss my truck at times). I enjoy riding on the metro and walking everywhere. I enjoy being able to run to the capitol building and the Lincoln memorial while I zip zag through the clusters of tourists. I enjoy being in a location where so many influential people congregate only eight blocks from where I live. D.C. has so many historical sites from landmarks to museums--even walking through Union Station gives me chills to know that I live here.
But as I soak up all the monuments and buildings, all the exhibits and congressional leaders, I know that my future is westward. Being here makes me realize how much of a west coaster I am, how much I appreciate my life back home and how much I want to continue to live my life that way.
But I would trade running along the path of the reflective pool between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument for running around Balboa Park. I think the historical significance alone can vouch for that.
No comments:
Post a Comment