Postcard from Arlington * (C)

I am the quintessential small town person. Not in the narrow-minded, cannot-survive-in-a-big-place way. Rather in the way I always seem to find myself living a small town life no matter where I go.
Nainital was small, Bhimtal smaller. And in a strange way even the Delhi University I lived in was a little town. In my definition that is- an area I could cover on foot entirely- for classes, shopping and recreation.
And it is a Karma thing. Small towns keep coming back to me. So, little surprise that my home in the Big State in a Big Country would be a dear little town.
So small that I know everyone by name along the route I take- everyone- including the lady operating the University shuttle. And when I need a bike it is a Sherwood drive neighborhood event. Stacie from the right next door- and Ken- too trade Junior High stories while changing the inner tube of my bike. And then find new tires and tubes and park the bike in the house- the very next day. “That’s what neighbors are for”.
Or a “Let us give you a ride home, it’s too warm to walk in the sun” just one of my regular “Howdy, lovely morning, isn’t it” people. I don’t know her name.
The town is smaller than the university. Now that’s a contradiction in terms, since the university is in the town. But yes, it is. When I lived on campus, it was strangely big-city insecure at times. Off-campus I feel safe and secure. Even though I am much further off classes and work. I wonder…
Maybe it’s the security of being able to recognize the neighbor’s dogs by their barks- or having them greet me when I walk or cycle u the street. Or the “Don’t bother dear, the gum is on me” of the lady at the grocery store.
Care which maybe cloys when a “You shore were sitting out late in the front in the car yesterday evening” is remarked.
But all in all delightful
I wonder why Bill Bryson did not mention Texas at all in his “The lost Continent- Travels in small town America” Maybe he could be asked to come up with a revised edition to include Arlington.

* Little town- too small for a long letter.