The Eldorado

I am not sure why, but while reading this book I imagined downtown Reno to just be completely run down and have old, musty casinos, paint chipping of their walls, smoke embedded into the paint, and some of it was correct but not to the extent in which I depicted in my head.  The Eldorado Casino, where Penny and Allison ate at the dessert buffet, had many new additions, or so I assume.  There was a large advertisement TV in the very front corner of the casino, and the casino itself was rather large.  For it being around one in the afternoon it was pretty busy with people going in and coming out.  They had escalades parked outside of the casino that had their logo imprinted on them and people kept stopping the left lane to park next to it or drop people off.  There were flashing lights in numerous places but to be honest it did look a little run down on the outside, or at least showcased that the Eldorado had been there for quite a few years.

In a way, the casino made me think that essentially she never left Vegas.  She believed she could run away and everything would be different but the same scenarios were still occurring, if anything she hated herself even more and could not stand being alone, and the environment and atmosphere between the two locations were essentially the same as well.  This time though, she had made a friend who was there for her and she could be truthful to and found a guy who treated her right.

In the chapter in which Penny and Allison are at the dessert buffet at the Eldorado, Allison essentially has to confront her past, Jimmy, which I believe was a turning point.  Before, she had wanted to keep everything a secret, but after talking about him and discussing problems that had come of her relationship, she started thinking about her new future and leaving the past behind.  She started discussing going back to school to get an education.  I believe the Eldorado was a landmark of change for her in the sense that she confronted her fears and insecurities and established what she wanted to do for herself.

Fourth Street

Fourth Street is said not to be the best street in town, or so I have heard.  I do not know if this was because there was a parade going on and a numerous amount of police around but driving down the street did not seem terrible.  I was able to see Louis's Basque Corner and the Fireside Liquor Store.  The Liquor Store was quite enormous, or at least larger than what I expected it to be and Louis's Basque Corner was smaller than what I expected.  Louis's Basque Corner was quite interesting though; a restaurant in which the food you order is shared with strangers and there are just a few giant tables inside so it is a family style dinner.

After driving around I began to realize how different my image of Reno was from how it actually is.  Yes, there is a homeless food kitchen on Fourth Street but if you are out during the day, with others, near the busy streets, the street loses some of its sketchy characteristics.  Yet, if you are Allison, the outcome is completely the opposite.  The street is a main road she takes and a road in which many places she walks by are located.  From the impression I had developed in my head I did not exactly want to get out of the car.  I am impressed that a woman can be brave enough to walk down these streets and believe that nothing will happen because she had grown up living in not the best areas.  Although, it made me start thinking about her actually being naive. Going out alone, on a street where homeless people are present, sometimes after drinking, and thinking she is not going to need anyone to take care of her.  Almost every time she was drinking, something terrible happened.  Maybe she did not choose to open her eyes and see that the person causing all this pain was just herself.

Just as Allison had questioned her character often times she walked down this street, I began to do the same about her.  The walk she sometimes took from the Cal Neva to her apartment on Fourth Street in the Emerald Arms was a short enough walk to make influential decisions and a long enough walk to let thoughts get the best of a person, especially one unsure about herself.

The Cal Neva

I thought something interesting was that there are four banks within a radius of less than 100 feet from each other. Give or take some feet... I am not the best estimator.

Driving down South Center Street, we came across the Cal Neva Hotel and Casino.

It was a sight that is for sure.  I bet a giant pink building really draws a lot of attention.  The hotel was essentially a look into old town Reno.  The building was obviously aged, the signs on the building looked like they had not been touched for years, they still have great value deals on the meals in the restaurants, and they still used the individual letters on a white board with wire to hold them in place as advertisements for their specials.

This building, better yet the Top Deck Restaurant, is what Allison considered her getaway from her apartment, Jimmy, and her thoughts because they never did anything good for her, or so she believed.  No one knew her and she could pretend like she was someone else.  I believe that after she began to obtain regulars, she felt accomplished and like things were looking up for a change.  I wouldn't necessarily deem the Cal Neva to be my comfort when I needed to get away from myself, but it worked for Allison.
The restaurant was not huge and the people could easily make local regulars.  It seemed like the kind of restaurant to do so; obtain the regular comers who have been eating there and playing their slots for years.
One thing that made an impression as I went by the hotel and casino was how busy the streets were during the day, although I am not sure if that was solely due to the parade.  Also, it doesn't really capture the essence of Allison's normal work day because she worked graveyard shift so I imagine the difference between night and day is quite substantial.
In a sense Reno reminds me of Vegas because of all the flashy lights, spinning signs, busy streets, and gigantic parking garages.  It brings back the feeling of the older days and adds a little biography to the location.  The Cal Neva had a whole section on the other side of the street for a parking garage.  I admit I did not imagine the Cal Neva was going to be as big as it was either.

Onward!

The Bus Station

As I began driving around with my roommate, we realized that our route was going to be obstructed due to the Veteran's Day Parade.  The main street we were planning on using was closed down and there were cops and "No Left Turn" signs everywhere.  As a result of this, my route was a little contorted.

Throughout the book "Northline" by Willy Vlautin, even though it is not exactly prevalent, the bus station is Allison's gateway to a new beginning and her turning point.  She had encountered numerous downfalls and copious dangerous situations in Las Vegas and the bus was her token to getting away.  To starting a life without Jimmy, to keep her secrets of her baby to herself, to get a new job, and to hope that she would receive a better future.  As the book described Reno and where Allison traveled, the only images it kept putting in my head were images of a run down Reno that was sketchy to be in.  After driving around, Reno was not what I assumed it to be.  Some new buildings were built to keep up with demand and expand Reno, and old buildings are still present to show people a little bit of old Reno and its history.  I came across the bus station and to be honest, it was not as I thought it would be.  It was actually pretty nice, a lot nicer than some of the ones in Vegas.  Although, this station did happen to be near Fourth Street which houses a large majority of the poor community.  It even has a homeless food kitchen.

Returning to my previous thoughts, the book detailed the bus station as old and run down but my impression was that due to the large population of people who ride the bus, regardless of their social status, the bus stations are nicer than depicted.  I imagine it costed a little bit of money to make an airborne bus sitting in front of the station.  One thing the book and the actual location did have in common though, was the fact that bright lights could be seen from afar and if there were no busy streets at the time I had gone, I imagine the river could have been heard as well.  Sounds like a peaceful start to a new life.

And with that.. Onto the next location

Walking Blog #13

Walking can bring about many different thoughts depending on the intention of the walking.  I know that doesn't make a whole lot of sense but to me, when I walk, if I am on a mission to do a specific thing, I think of nothing more than get to the location and back as quickly as possible.  If I am going to class and am early, I lollygag and walk extremely slow, taking in my surroundings, being attentive and of course, people watching.  Today I went on two walks, one to the Downunder Cafe and one to just clear my mind.  Two completely different walks with two completely different sets of mind.  On my walk to the DC, all I wanted to do was get my food ASAP and come back as fast as I could, not really paying attention to anything or having much thoughts.  I did think about how many gnats are in Reno and that they just gather in hoards just waiting for people to come walk through them all.  I hate bugs... cockroaches, spiders, gnats, and bees (which I am terrified of).  You name it, I don't like it.  

Anyway, for my second walk, I slowed my pace down a lot and just tried to open my mind.  I began to think of college and my stay here so far.  The time goes by so quickly... it is already almost November.  How is it possible that it still feels as though I just unpacked my million and ten boxes yesterday?  Then I began to think of how cold I am and that I need to go shopping for more winter clothes because I have close to none. Yay, more clothes to add to my already overstock of clothes in my room.  Don't know where I will put anything but I'll figure that out when the time comes.  One last thing I remember that crossed my mind was that I really want to work again.  I loved working and having an income.  It makes me so sad thinking that when I spend my money now it won't be replenished as it was before.  I loved the atmosphere I worked in as well. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming.  Well I'm sorry if I bored you with my thoughts... they occupied me for a while.  

Walking Blog #12

Around my neighborhood, I feel as though all of the campus buildings and their architecture remind me of older castle-like buildings.  I don't know if anyone else feels that way but I also think they all look different.  The red brick and some of the windows remind me of a castle for some reason, some buildings look as though they are attempting to take on a modern perspective with the design of the building and the copious windows, and lastly the white building at the end of the quad reminds me of the haunted mansion at Disneyland.  As for the insides, most of the buildings have been around for a while so they seem to be a little bit dated, with discolored walls, squeaky chairs, and a musty odor.
In comparison to the other neighborhoods and surrounding buildings, the campus, my neighborhood, wins hands down.  A couple of the hotels downtown are very dated and look as though they need renovation, as well as a majority of the houses, apartments, and run down motels that surround the university.
There is one house that has bars over the windows, the tiles from the roof have pretty much all chipped off, and the door looks like it has seen its worst days.
Architecture, in regards to the values of our society, plays a role in how society wants to view us.  Almost as if, how much effort is put in, is how much you will get out of it.  If all the buildings are run down and broken, that tends to lead someone to think that the area isn't well cared for and has been around for a long time.  It may also be viewed as the fact that a society may not have enough money to maintain its city.  Architecture essentially displays a short story of the town, in a way.

Walking Blog #11

Unaware of all the situations that transpired, I investigated the different historical events that occurred in my own home town, Las Vegas.  Might I add it was very insightful.
Some of the things I stumbled upon were that Jackie Gaughan's  Plaza Hotel is the only hotel-casino that was constructed around and on the original Union Pacific Railroad depot.  Another interesting tidbit of information was that the Flamingo hotel was originally built by a mobster named Benjamin Siegel.  Although this did not come to much of a surprise due to much of the major gambling, drugs and prostitution that was associated with this newly developed Las Vegas. In fact, believe it or not, a majority of the casinos during the 1950's and 1960's were built by mobsters.
The Luxor, constructed in 1993, originally had a river surround it.  Their plan was to ferry the guests to the elevators but there were complaints about the wait of the line and soon after, the river was removed.
Thinking about the contrast between now and then, it is hard to imagine certain things or put them into perspective.  Who would have ever known that there was a railroad where Fremont Street is.  Fremont Street has turned into one of the downtown destinations where there are countless tourist shops, older casinos, as well as zip-lining   It has become an "experience" more like, rather than a historic location... yet it does shed light on the true Vegas.
As for attempting to perceive a river around the Luxor and people being ferried across, it is quite impossible.  With the parking garages, parking lots, and other casinos galore, I could not envision a waterway at all.  If they had kept it, there would have been even more of a delay due to the increase in population and number of tourists that visit every year.  It would have been highly inefficient.
Learning all these new things really opens my eyes to trying to envision how Vegas was before all the construction.  Although, it can be very difficult to do.

Walking Blog #10

Unfortunately I couldn't walk to downtown Reno because I was unable to find a buddy to accompany me.  It would probably help if I knew more people in the class, or if people didn't go out of town, or have a million other things to do.
But I was able to recall one of the times I was able to walk down the riverwalk/ casino district.  My friends and I all drove down to downtown Reno to go watch a movie near dinnertime.  We arrived when it was still bright outside, didn't see any strange people walking around really, bought our tickets to see "Possession" and walked inside the theater to watch our movie.  After we came out, it had gotten dark and the difference in environment between day and night was drastic.  Right as we walked out of the movie theater, a man with some torn clothes, was on the sidewalk right next to the theater playing his musical instrument making an attempt to collect money.
After passing him, we came across an alley that was a shorter way to get to the parking garage but we knew 100% we were not stepping foot in that area.  We decided to take the riverwalk and it was gorgeous   All the lights, the sound of rushing water from the river, a romantic ambiance,  and friends laughing and having a good time.  It was definitely a different aura than downtown Reno was in general at nighttime.
After we emerged out of the final tiled hill of the riverwalk, we crossed the street and came across a few kids skateboarding, and one man who had one pant leg rolled up, tattoos galore, glancing around everywhere, as his feet stumbled beneath him.
Finally reaching the car after the terrifying elevator ride, we got in, locked the doors, and headed out.  As we made our way up the casino walk we observed all the people walking around.  One drunk man tried to cross the street while we had the green light.  Another couple of men were standing in the dark next to a casino either smoking or snorting something, I couldn't tell.  And lastly, a man in raggedy clothes sitting on the side of the street.
To say the least, the majority of my experiences walking off campus or being off campus have been an experience.

Walking Blog #9

As I relay my walk down the casino district there are many obvious differences from University of Nevada Reno.  Its as if you walk down the street from reality and a safe place, it begins to vastly differ, transitioning into a completely new world.   There are many lights to draw the tourists in, you could tell they were really soaking it up and indulging in it by taking picture after picture out the windows of their cars.  I do have to admit they were pretty flashy and caught your eye.  It was unlike any other part of Reno.  Including the part where you felt you were a little paranoid as to the events that had the possibility of occurring, yet that is the beauty of a car.  I have to admit I didn't really get out of the car to physically walk down the casino district, but I observed it and absorbed the environment from within the confounds of my friends car.
The district was obviously geared towards grasping the attention of adults and inviting them in to gamble or drink, with lights galore and signs displaying their new promotions.  It appears as though the values of the casino district are to lure people into their casinos and for them to spend money; as for UNR, there are no apparent goals or values other than getting involved in the community and getting an education.  Their values are directed to students.
I had no idea that the casino district was once "off-limits" to university students.  In the present, it seems like that is not held true anymore and they attempt to attract everyone from all crowds as well as making the casino district a slight more college student friendly.  Especially those over the age of 21.  Yet, there are still activities to do for the underage as well, just not as much.

Walking Blog #8

Strolling down the riverwalk in downtown Reno, the sketchy neighborhoods and people begin to drown out and nature draws you in.  Like I said before, the sound of flowing water against rocks is my weakness.  It is probably one of the only places in Reno in which I actually truly enjoy visiting.  Calming and serene.  

I'm going to be honest, Reno was not my first choice, or even my second to last choice.  Yep, dead least.  I did not feel like this campus was for me, it did not give me that college feeling I received from other schools, I didn't like the neighborhoods surrounding the campus or the homeless and odd people.  Yet, like most people, it came down to money and what we could afford.  

As I walked down the riverwalk it gave me a sense of tranquility and made me at peace.  The waterfalls on the side as well are a nice addition.  The majority of the people I saw there were either couples or groups of friends just sitting and chatting.  Although, on the outside and around the riverwalk is a different story...

I believe that the riverwalk was a beautiful addition especially for the people who like to immerse themselves in nature because you get a little taste of it right smack dab in the middle of a shopping and casino area.  What it symbolizes may pertain to incorporating nature into the daily lives of Reno's residents and not let them get so caught up in everything else but be able to take a step back and breathe.

My role, not only in my neighborhood but in the city at large, is a consumer essentially.  As a consumer, I buy what I need, as well as what I don't need, contributing to and stimulating the economy.   I tend to also attempt being environmentally friendly as well as going out and involving myself in the outdoors.  This may be by swimming, hiking, biking, kayaking, or just sitting and observing, slowly soaking in just how tiny we are in this magnificent world around us. Even though we may be small in regards to the earth as a whole, we can make large contributions and make a difference.  

Walking Blog #7

As I glance around me, green, lucious trees and vibrant green grass becomes more evident and peeks around the corners.  I'm not really used to seeing too much nature because in Vegas you were lucky if you had green grass for more than two months but here, its a little more prominent.  The downside of some of the nature in Reno, more specifically my neighborhood around the University of Nevada, is that we are still located in a desert.  I love observing lush, skyscraper trees, natural wildlife lingering around, hearing the sound of the birds chirping in the distance, and running water or the beach.  It is my weakness; just sitting in a lounge chair, on the patio, and listening to the sound of waves crashing on the shore.
Anyway, nature, to me, is considered to be animals out and about, forestry and greenery everywhere, and anything that is not manmade essentially.  The environment and scenery here are more represented by the desert and valley that has been untouched by man, as well as the mountains that enclose the city, the goliath trees, a river, and greenery.  The fact that the Truckee River runs through downtown Reno, in a sense, connects the residents to nature a little more than normal.
As for my own research and if I can trace features of the natural world into it, I most definitely can.  My essay is about the invasive species in Lake Tahoe, so it has to do with nothing more than nature and how we, as residents, can preserve its sacredness and purity by eliminating the invaders.  Primarily we were the ones who introduced them to the native species habitiat, so it should be only right that we attempt to regain homeostasis in the ecosystem yet again. 

Walking Blog #6

As I stride down the sidewalk of a street that I am becoming somewhat more familiar with every day, I begin to notice the differences in environment and atmosphere at different times in the day.  Essentially, night life versus daytime.  Normally, I walk everyday to and from classes while the sun is still up and light is still existent.  I don't dare walk anywhere off campus by myself because I am quite paranoid when it comes to situations like those.  Yet, I only imagine what dangerous issues may arise if I do.
One night, the first and only, I ventured to the world beyond my comfort zone; of course with a friend because travelling in numbers is always best.  It was one of the worst decisions ever made.  As the sun began to set over the horizon painting the sky black, different kinds of people began to appear; or they might have been there all along and I never noticed until now when everything is ten times clearer because my mission is to get back to campus safe and sound.  My mind was set on one thing, walking as fast as I possibly could to get to Walgreens with a serious face and a confident posture to detract people into thinking I was an easy target.  Once I made it into Walgreens, where one thinks it is the safe place, things took a turn for the worse.  Two men, very big-boned and appearing to be on drugs, had taken an interest in me and watched my every move, stalking me throughout the store and making eye contact as they walked by me no more than a foot away.  Terrified for my life, I decided to wait it out with my friend until they left, which wasn't smart either after we determined that they might be waiting outside for us.  So I waited even longer to make sure they had left and had my friend check outside.  After I left the store, it was all a blur.  I have never walked so fast in my entire life, and I didn't even get winded after it because there was so much adrenaline built up.
Overall, there are subtle differences between the day and night, such as the types of eateries open at night, the perspective in which one sees things at night, the type of drivers at night, the lights, but mostly the people.

Walking Blog #5

For college, I decided that not bringing a car would be better for the first year; just to see how things worked out.  I have to honestly say that might have been a bad choice.  Sitting up in my room the majority of the day, rarely getting out other than to stuff my face with food at the all you can eat buffet, and watching TV on my computer has its disadvantages.  If I did bring my car, I could be doing something more productive during the week such as having a job or for the weekends I could get out into the outdoors and actually do something exhilarating.  But I don't.  So here I sit.
 Normally around campus, I walk and take every set of stairs I could possibly take (I have to get some great calves somehow).  The campus does offer a shuttle bus that runs every ten minutes, and transports you to key places around the university, which is nice.  There is also a bus called Sierra Spirit Bus that is free, or Hertz on Demand that is generated through campus as well.
I intend to use the Hertz on Demand at some point because I would like to get out and enjoy Lake Tahoe one of these days, but typically people who don't have cars, who need to walk to the other side of campus and don't want to, or who need to proceed to other bus stops generally take the alternate transportation vehicles.
Public transportation offered in Reno is pretty nice except I do wish that a bus took someone to the airport straight from campus, or a shuttle was able to take someone more than two miles off campus.  Maybe if there was a shuttle up to Lake Tahoe every once in a while or so, that would make a few things easier on people who don't have the luxury of a car at the moment.
All in all, Reno does offer a wide variety of options for its students which makes life that much simpler.

Walking Blog #4

Advertisements are intended to grasp the attention of target audiences and reel them in.  In my hometown there were signs galore.  Everywhere you turned would be just another poster, flyer or billboard attempting to snatch tourists into their traps and cave in.  Now that I have moved to a different location temporary, in which I call home for the time being, there are not nearly as many ads.  Walking down Virginia Street, there are signs directed towards college students the majority of the time.  Mostly for apartments, or houses, or new meals at the fast food restaurants and what deals they have now, but other than that there aren't that many in the definitive boundary I call my neighborhood.
Most of the forms that are displayed are spray painted windows, flyers, posters, and only a few billboards.  Almost all of the advertising is positioned in downtown Reno, due to the fact that many tourists lodge in the hotels near all the action.   I believe that the values differ based on the area one visits.  At some of the buildings and eateries near University of Nevada Reno, there is a ton of wolf pack support.  As one proceeds further into the downtown area, the ads become more geared towards casinos or drawing people's attention to dine in their restaurant or shop in their mall.
For me, ads have never affected me or captivated my interest.  I have been around them my whole life that I don't even really pay attention to them anymore.  They are just another distraction that wants money...my money... In the consumer perspective, although, it can be seen as possibly intelligent by the way some companies place their ads or when they do.  As for a citizen, the locals are basically all in the know:  they don't need to pay attention to the advertisements.  Their messages may seem pointless majority of the time as well.  Essentially, as long as they do not force me to do anything, I could really care less for them.

Walking Blog #3

As I swiftly walk down Virginia Street, in my pants and sweatshirt, when it is 80 degrees and hotter outside, my pace slows.  I glance around me and observe my surroundings.  In all honesty, I never paid any attention to race or gender or how prominent one is over another.  Never thinking anything of it, I began to notice that this campus is jampacked with diversity.  Diversity to me, is defined as people all over the world, of different races and genders, that essentially come together and work together, bringing their own talents to better a community. 
In my community, at University of Nevada, there are no specific regionalized areas that differentitate between a specific race or gender.  Actually, I retract that statement: in the dorms there are areas specifically for women or for men but never segregation of any kind on the campus as a whole.  The only times this becomes apparent and takes effect are in the fifth floor on the right wing of the LLC; the place that I call home for this year, as well as the buildings of Lincoln hall and Manzanita halls.  The WISE program is composed of all women in science and engineering programs and these women reside in the Living Learning Center.  As for a specific gender dorm rooms, the building of Lincoln only houses men and the building of Manzanita only houses women.  All of the dorms though contain a single gender in one room, but that does not mean there can't be another gender right next door or one isn't allowed inside. 
No judgments are made and no borders are placed, other than in the areas where privacy is required at some point in time. 
I feel as though one's safety zone changes from individual to individual.  It is a causation of their background, of their biography, not of their race. 
As for someone being out of place, I do not believe anyone is seen as out of place.  A person belongs here just as much as the next.  Some people that are questionable and make me question my safety are some of the druggy dumpster divers, but that doesn't mean they don't necessarily belong here.
All in all, my neighborhood is constructed of a variety of races as well as genders.  Not one out of place or that doesn't belong more than the next. 

Walking Blog #2

Involving oneself in a culture, connecting to the earth in which they came from, and building a sense of community are all ways in which one can relate to the politics of mobility, of place and of food as well as engaging oneself in the place they live. 
After moving to Reno, I decided that I would attempt to try everything native specifically to Reno.  I delved into the community of the University of Nevada Reno.  Coming in with an open mind, I didn't really know what to expect or what traditions took place.  From Running with the Wolves, to experiencing the River,  I am slowly trying to embrace the University of Nevada community one step at a time.  Walking down North Virginia Street every day, I pass the Wolf Den.  My next goal is to overcome the "Awful Awful". 
When it comes to other people and how I create place for them, I try to involve them in everything I do as well.  This, I hope, allows them to create place and feel a part of the community along with me.  Gathering my friends and family to participate lets us connect with each other as well as the culture and environment of such place. 
The movement made every day to and from class, the movement of making friends and bonds created, the movement of a change of lifestyle and independence creates an imprint in every aspect of every movement; whether it is people one runs across in a lifetime, or the physical imprint and biography one creates from their mobility, or the new freedom of a college student is a participation in a kind of "politics". 
Before, I walked through the campus seeing new faces every day, or seeing similar faces but never knowing who they were, yet now as I walk down the carpeted wings, halls where my fellow classmates reside, paved sidewalks, and all throughout campus I see people that have impacted me and added to my experiences.  As I walk down the street and cross the crosswalks, I have created paths that I am familiar with and that I feel are the quickest ways to proceed to each class.  This I have also created by route and experiences. 
There are many things that can be related to the politics of mobility and culture of a region. All of which increase community and familiarity.  It only takes time. 

Walking Blog #1

Walking down the paved cement sidewalk of North Virginia Street, I began to create an imaginary line between my safe zone and an unknown world.  It seemed as though by crossing that fictional boundary, the landscape, the people, and the environment changed drastically.  This eventually affected the paths in which I decided to take.  Looking ahead, I scoped out which route might be the most safe or that I felt the most comfortable walking through.  Mainly it included streets and sidewalks that did not obtain run down motels, houses, or had a number of people fixating their attention at those innocent people passing by, as if to weed out easy prey.  Along this journey down the street, a realization hit me. Just as in the articles by Crestwell and Vergunst, the way in which a person determines their safe zone or comfort zone is due to their own biography of what they have encountered previously.  I have never experienced a landscape such as that of Reno's, so in essence it was a completely new ball game.  Not knowing how to react to certain situations if they had arisen, I attempted to take all the precautions possible by not trying to place myself smack dab in the middle of where I assumed something would be more likely to occur.  Yes, this did include stereotyping  a few people. One case in particular was a man with one pant leg rolled up, limping, his head drooping and mumbling to himself.  Lifting up his head, he stared straight at me and looked me in the eyes. A sheer shutter of terror enveloped my whole body, making sure that he continued walking the other way.

Knowing now what surrounded me outside of my comfort zone really put me in check of my little exposure to the outside world and reality in my own hometown.  Maybe by exploring some more around my new neighborhood for the next four years, that definitive border will expand or become eliminated altogether.