by Cyn Bagley

Created on: December 06, 2011

Some city days are noisier than others - fire vehicles, police vehicles, and automotive noise. It seems that in one city day, the noise pollution fills up my head and I don't have the time or energy to think. Even in the parks, the noise roars in the background like a distant monster. When I get these feelings I try to remember why I left the rural area and came to the city.

The difference between city and rural days

In the country the days start early. Many children in rural areas are expected to feed and water animals in pens and corrals. One of my duties was to collect the eggs in the chicken coup. I would stumble out of bed around 5:30 so that I would have eaten breakfast, finished my chores, and raced for the bus. It picked us up at 6:30 every morning.

In the city my day starts much later because when I was working my work day would start at 9 a.m. I didn't have the responsibility of animals. I only had to worry about eating and transportation.

City days are different in different countries

I have been fortunate to live in different cities around the world - Panama, Japan, Germany, and South Africa. Each city was very different from the large cities in the U.S.

For instance, Germany's sounds are somewhat muted because most of their citizens ride mass transportation. They have some of the most efficient train and bus systems that I have ever seen. Many of the inner roads are small and it is easier to walk in their downtown areas.

In Japan the people don't honk their horns unless it is very serious. Considering that the children raise their hands and walk across the street in front of moving cars, you would think they would honk more. No honking is usually considered impolite there, which actually lessens the noise level.

In South Africa the inner core of Johannesburg is quite noisy with honking cars and whizzing sounds. When you go to the outer city, it is quieter and more peaceful.It is not legal to honk in a religious zone. And yes, I almost got a ticket once for that very reason.

What is my city day like now

I am living in a smaller city, and every three to six months I have to go to Reno, which is the largest city in my area, so that I can see my doctors. The noise and the cars are crazy. As I drive through the city to get to my appointments, I have learned to take the surface streets so that I don't have to deal with the tractor-trailers, racing through the freeway. We are a major road leading to the Northwest.

My blood pressure rises to high levels as I deal with drivers texting, and truck drivers racing to their destinations. I miss the day when the only crazy driver you saw was the one who was not watching the road and was putting lipstick on, using her mirror to get the lipstick on right.

Thankfully, the smaller city I live in does not have that roar to it, like Las Vegas. When I hear the fire engines, I know that it could be a fire close to me. So I have learned to pay attention.

In Conclusion

Even though I miss the quiet of the rural life, there are more opportunities for someone of my creative bent in a city. In addition my illness has made me more aware of the medical opportunities that are easier to find in a larger city. My city days are much quieter than they were in the past. I have been surprised at the wide species of birds that have taken advantage of the city life. I may start up bird-watching.

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