My Neighborhood: Walking Journal #1

It occurred to me as I pondered my definition of “neighborhood” during my walk that I consider my surrounding geography to progress somewhat like a family. The places I visit every day—my residence hall, my classes, and the central campus of UNR in general—could be considered my “immediate family”; in other words, my most familiar and “homey” surroundings (though I might not go as far as labeling my lecture halls and classrooms homey, especially on Fridays. On Friday, they are dungeons. But neighborly dungeons nonetheless, I suppose.) Beyond this, the surrounding areas that I may not tread as often could be considered my “close relatives”—the dog park, downtown Reno, and the surrounding streets and homes. Outside of this are the distant cousins I rarely visit, but still have a good time with every once in a while. With this in mind, I suppose I define the boundaries of my neighborhood by a mixture of geography and a sense of familiarity. The locations that are more distant almost automatically qualify as outside my immediate neighborhood. Also, I have found that I generally do not define the boundaries of my neighborhood by the people within it, especially in this new environment—which is ironic, seeing as I equated my neighborhood with my family.

Downtown Reno

Tahoe

Bridge over Virginia on campus

Tahoe again! 

My route was largely determined by the unexplored area around my residence hall. I chose to take the streets that I hadn’t had the chance to peruse, and inspect the houses that are situated around the campus. I enjoyed the antique and unconventional feel of this area; it was refreshing compared to my old neighborhood, which was newly built. The streets I chose were usually connected to both the residential area and the campus—in other words, I had a glimpse of the University of Nevada campus while I explored the residential streets. The most significant impression I had was that I enjoy the fact that the campus is situated on a hill. I like the idea that the terrain and geography of an area never truly disappears, even when it’s built upon; in actuality, it is present in my everyday life, simply because I live and work there. Another impression I had was that my neighborhood has a more uniquely personal definition because I am furthering my education in the very place I reside. Not only is my residence hall properly deemed a “Living Learning Community,” but so is the entire campus. This university has become my new school and my new home.