Space
Closed spaces make me anxious, from congested freeways too crowded sidewalks, while open spaces that expand into the horizon provide a much-needed respite. Silicon Valley exemplifies the former, where I have spent my whole life. But 15 hours by car or 2 by plane, life moves a little slower and open space is abundant in the Teton range.
Life has its perks living in Silicon Valley: progressive attitudes, inventive minds, and endless opportunities. The fast-paced lifestyle is not only expected but rewarded, often at the expense of others. The homeless population has grown exponentially in the last twenty years with the changing economy, where high-density housing replaces plans for affordable ones and the cost of fresh produce climbs each year. There is no more space for people to go; even the streets are full. On my walk to school, just a block, I pass by a homeless man in a tent, trash littered in the curb, and construction sites lining the roads and skyline. My natural predisposition to dislike crowds and clutter is amplified in this environment, overwhelming my senses until a wave of anxiety takes over.
My favorite place in the world is easily the Tetons in Wyoming. The air is fresher, the roads are cleaner, and every way you look dissipates into an unobscured horizon. I spend my summers and winters exploring these open spaces, through hiking or backcountry skiing. My favorite summer activity is paddleboarding around secluded lakes deep in Grand Teton National Park, docking at mysterious shores and camping at the base of 14,000-foot peaks. In the winters, my heart belongs to the backcountry, where I spend my days skiing untouched lines in the Jackson Valley. Litter is few and far between here, and background noises fade away. Whereas space is cramped in Silicon Valley, here there is more space, more special places waiting to be discovered than I will ever know.
In a world that is overflowing, open spaces are becoming increasingly rare. I love to explore new spaces, but at what cost? Some spaces should remain untouched, dedicated to what the world was supposed to be. For all its benefits, Silicon Valley is not for me. I need open and preserved spaces to stay sane, which is why the Tetons are special as they are to me, and why it is imperative to keep them that way.
I love your description of why this space is special to you– especially how you connected it to development and human interference at the end. I also think it's important to maintain these clear, natural spaces, and that such spaces have the potential to make everyone happy since we naturally belong in the wild/outdoors. Lots of amazing pictures too!
ReplyDeleteAs someone who has never been to the snow, I think it is absolutely breathtaking how beautifully you explain your space through the use of stylistic diction and pictures. I also really enjoyed the last part of explaining how you think that, as you stated, "some spaces should remain untouched." It would be very interesting if you went into more depth with that idea. Overall, I loved it and enjoyed looking at all the pictures!
ReplyDeleteFirst, love the cameos from sierra and Tahoe. The description of the open spaces and why they are so important to you is really powerful. If you were to write more on this, I would write about your experience living here in Silicon Valley, which is a very closed space, and how you deal with that when you so obviously love open space.
ReplyDeleteLove it Sara. I totally get what you mean with the idea of escaping the congested world into the open space. My question for you is is there a new space or place that you would like to explore?
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