Catskills: First Impressions

After a 3-week, 4500 mile road trip across the U.S.A. with my dog, I'm finally in the Catskills of upstate New York. Yay!

And OH MY G-D.

Ever since arriving last Tuesday, I've been in a pleasant but no less real state of culture shock. Not surprising for someone who just traveled from a city of roughly 9 million people to a town with less than 5,000. I had fantasized what it would be like to be here countless times. Now I'm here and it's... sort of everything I imagined it would be, and a few things I didn't.

It's only been a few days but these are some initial impressions (and images):

It's quiet. So quiet I can literally hear the buzzing in my ears. This is great for concentration (why I came here), and also great for sleeping. Oddly, I've been sleeping like a rock and waking in the middle of the night for no apparent reason. Unable to fall back asleep, I get on my computer to write (tonight at 2:30 a.m.) then go back to bed a few hours later. During the day, I'm full of energy.

It's loud. Yes, it's both quiet and loud... with the sound of insects, birds, wind, rustling leaves and the occasional passing car, truck or motorcycle.

It's remote. The other day I had to drive 45 minutes (one way) and pay $2.00 in tolls to get to my bank. So much is done online these days, it might not be that much of an issue, but it's definitely an adjustment. I'm thinking I'll have to coordinate trips into the larger towns to coincide with other errands.

It's beautiful. I'll post some proper pictures later, but let's just say I've had to stop the car a few times to take in some of the scenery. This is only a small hint of what's to come.

It's green, so very green. I'm grateful to have arrived in early fall so I can witness the leaves turning. Right now, I'm really enjoying all the lush green.

It's alive. Farm animals, wildlife, critters... even the dead skunk on the side of the road was interesting.

It's clean. I haven't seen one piece of litter or trash -- which is not to say I haven't seen junk in people's yards, but that's different.

It smells good. The air is pure and fresh. On rainy, chilly days like today the air was filled with the scent of burning firewood and wet grass. The other day I walked by someone's house and smelled the sweet buttery scent of an apple pie baking. I actually paused in front of the window and when the lady inside looked at me, I waved. "Smells delicious!"

It's motorcycle friendly. There are bikers everywhere. In fact, this weekend there was a motorcycle festival in town, complete with live music, spaghetti wrestling and other activities. I didn't go. But my bike just arrived yesterday, and I can't wait to ride!

It's really dark at night. The other night I drove home after dark and needed my high beams the whole time. I try not to think of slasher movies when walking at night. Actually, I try not to walk at night.

It's friendly. Some people are quicker to talk to me than others, but those who have were extremely friendly. People have given me their phone numbers, invited me to events and introduced me to other folks within minutes of meeting.

It's intellectual and creative. I've received more bookstore and library recommendations in the past five days than I have in 19 years living in Los Angeles, and heard there are many other writers and artists up here.

It's cheap. Not only are the prices of necessities and services lower, but there are fewer opportunities to spend money. I'm not eating out, going to the movies, walking by stores or cafes. I literally haven't reached for my wallet to buy anything in three days.

I'm excited to learn more about my new home, meet more people, and get a ton of work done.

Here's to settling in. :)