I left my small northern Michigan town of 7,000 and moved to the city of Corvallis with about 56,000 inhabitants. I have seen many new, odd, quirky and disturbing sites.
Here's a brief rundown:
I no longer pump my own gas.
The "winters" consist of maybe a dusting of snow a few days. Schools close for this and drivers generally panic.
The summers consist of 30-60 day stretches of zero rain. Most people and businesses allow their lawns to go brown. This is the norm.
You have to pay 5 cents and ask for a bag if you don't bring your own reusable grocery bag to the store.
I've seen someone passed out, spread eagle, in the middle of a busy street. My neighbors assured me it was probably someone on drugs, not a vehicular accident.
I am regularly asked for spare change or money at grocery stores, the Post Office or whilst just walking down the street.
I've seen a homeless man sit down in a pedestrian walkway, in front of traffic.
The homeless are everywhere and regularly carry signs stating their plight or asking for money.
They have tents and campsites along the roadsides, in public parks, along the river and under the freeway.
I had one deranged woman start screaming obscenities at me when I refused to give her money.
There is a "fire season" that runs during the dry summer months. Its commonplace to see and smell smoke during this time.
Bikes and bicyclists are treated with respect and given the right of way.
Cars are required to stop at all crosswalks to allow pedestrians to cross.
The city bus system is completely free.
The cashiers are over friendly. It's common to be asked three questions while purchasing: How's your day going? Did you find everything you needed? And "do you have any plans for the evening (or weekend)?"
Buying pot is legal and you can smell people smoking and toking with regularity.
People walk, bike, ride scooters and skateboards a lot.
I once saw a homeless young man with a full-sized macaw parrot on his shoulder, walking in the rain, right next to the highway.
There was once a patron at the Post Office asking everyone to state what they were mailing. It was a game, apparently. I did not play.
White supremacist are common and it is good to keep your comments to yourself.
Religion is usually kept pretty private, hush-hush.
There isn't a lot of litter. And if there is, people pick up after one another.
It's been quite a cultural shock.
Here's a brief rundown:
I no longer pump my own gas.
The "winters" consist of maybe a dusting of snow a few days. Schools close for this and drivers generally panic.
The summers consist of 30-60 day stretches of zero rain. Most people and businesses allow their lawns to go brown. This is the norm.
You have to pay 5 cents and ask for a bag if you don't bring your own reusable grocery bag to the store.
I've seen someone passed out, spread eagle, in the middle of a busy street. My neighbors assured me it was probably someone on drugs, not a vehicular accident.
I am regularly asked for spare change or money at grocery stores, the Post Office or whilst just walking down the street.
I've seen a homeless man sit down in a pedestrian walkway, in front of traffic.
The homeless are everywhere and regularly carry signs stating their plight or asking for money.
They have tents and campsites along the roadsides, in public parks, along the river and under the freeway.
I had one deranged woman start screaming obscenities at me when I refused to give her money.
There is a "fire season" that runs during the dry summer months. Its commonplace to see and smell smoke during this time.
Bikes and bicyclists are treated with respect and given the right of way.
Cars are required to stop at all crosswalks to allow pedestrians to cross.
The city bus system is completely free.
The cashiers are over friendly. It's common to be asked three questions while purchasing: How's your day going? Did you find everything you needed? And "do you have any plans for the evening (or weekend)?"
Buying pot is legal and you can smell people smoking and toking with regularity.
People walk, bike, ride scooters and skateboards a lot.
I once saw a homeless young man with a full-sized macaw parrot on his shoulder, walking in the rain, right next to the highway.
There was once a patron at the Post Office asking everyone to state what they were mailing. It was a game, apparently. I did not play.
White supremacist are common and it is good to keep your comments to yourself.
Religion is usually kept pretty private, hush-hush.
There isn't a lot of litter. And if there is, people pick up after one another.
It's been quite a cultural shock.
