A Pilgrim’s Digression

One reason I like the city is I am allowed to witness scenes such as this. Man arguing with transvestite girlfriend in front of D.C. Donut on Pennsylvania Avenue NE:

“Bitch, call me faggot!”

(The “woman” starts to walk away, down the sidewalk towards me; I can’t hear if she is saying anything) The man yells, “Bitch, come back here! Call me faggot. Come back here and kick (kiss?) my ass!”

I was walking towards them on my way to Starbucks; it was a little before seven this morning. One just does not witness scenes like these in small town America.

There are many reasons why I like the city. I’ve been meaning to compile a list for quite some time:

1. Public transportation. It seems that since the day I started Kindergarten, I have been riding some form of public transportation. I love it.
2. Rude people. Coming from the South, where people smile to your face while their eyes tell you “Eat shit and die, Motherfucker!”, it’s refreshing to be among people who tell you just how they feel, with hand gestures.
3. Foreign languages. I hear a foreign language spoken every day. Sometimes I even hear the foreign language I understand, French.
4. Beggars. Hopefully, they remind us of our humanity.
5. Gay people, roaming free.
6. Street musicians. And no one calls the cops on them for loitering.
7. Pigeons. What beautiful, friendly birds!
8. Traffic. It gives me lots of times to listen to the radio.
9. Restaurants. Thai restuarants, Vietnamese restaurants, Irish restaurants, German restaurants…
10. Tourists. It’s amusing to watch them try to cross the street while gawking. Also, I get to show off by giving them tips and directions when they inevitably ask.

I’ve lived all my life in rural red states, first in West Virginia, then in Southwest Virginia, so I guess I have enough experience to compare. Here’s what I like about country life:

1. Friendly people. People stop to help you if you have car trouble.
2. Animals. Being around animals, farm raised or wild, reminds us of our place in the natural order.
3. Quiet, dark, starry nights.
4. Taking walks in the woods, along a stream.
5. Wal-Mart.
6. Kids playing outside all day, unsupervised.
7. Fishing.
8. Hunting.
9. Small town newspapers that, because of the lack of news, actually have articles about the lives and interests of ordinary citizens.
10. Fairs and festivals, such as the Maple Festival in Highland County, Virginia, which we attend every February or March (depending on when the maple syrup is ready to be tapped).