I’ve been in 4 countries in my life. Canada, the United States, Japan, and Indonesia. Now, Japan doesn’t really count, because I was there for a grand total of six hours, but I did see it from the air.
I haven’t traveled extensively. But I do know this: one of my favourite places in the world is just minutes from my house.
As a kid, I spent many days in the back field. During the summer, there was a creek and my big brothers would build dams and I’d try to see if I could find minnows. I’d try to build little dams and balance while walking across them. I’d wear someone’s big black rubber boots and walk through the shallow parts. During the winter, we’d sled down the many, many hills. We thought they were huge! Occasionally, I still go sledding down there. I remember walking our dog, Shadow, back through the fields with my brothers. Sometimes, on Saturdays, we’d all go back there, our snowboards, GTs, flying saucers, and crazy carpets in tow.
There’s also a railroad track back there. I used to be scared of the bridge there, but have recently been going back there quite often. There are small hills on both sides of the tracks- a nice place to sit on lazy Sunday afternoons.
My family moved here when I was two, so it’s the only place I remember. I love that I can walk down the streets and see people who I’ve known all my life (especially because I used to deliver papers to them).
So, my hometown is one of my favourite places in the world. I think I will miss the small town atmosphere if I ever move. It’s the best in July when the corn is tall and green and you can walk through it, feeling a little lost, yet still sort of knowing where you’re going.
So, when you see lots of pictures by railroad tracks and fields, you know why!
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