s-o-n-de-r:
Providence, Rhode Island
Of all the Major Cities I’ve visited, Providence has a certain character to it. Providence kind of lives in the shadow of its nearby peers - sitting between Boston and New York makes it so Providence doesn’t get much mention. But that also means there isn’t as much pretense there. I spent a few days last week visiting the city, first for the water fire festival (more on that in another post), then for nearly half a day because I needed to kill some time. During that second trip, I walked a good circuit around the city, from the lower south up through the financial district to the Providence train station, then to the mall, back around to college hill via the basin and the river, back to the mall and then back to the financial square for a bite to eat. That was through morning/early afternoon on a Tuesday, so after the businessmen and women stopped arriving at their jobs, it was ridiculously quiet around the city, and I got a chance to let it soak in. This was quite a contrast to the water fire festival night, when the city was packed and filled with street life. Being alone in a city is usually my favorite way to experience them because I don’t have to deal with feeling like I’m taking up too much of everyone’s time.
So I sat around a lot. Watched some trains pull in and out of the terminal, got a drink, played some Pokemon Go (who doesn’t at this point?), ate at a delicious Tex-Mex place in a building from the 1850s, bought Pokemon White at the mall (because I’m now determined to catch up with my Pokemon generations), but mostly just strolled around. There are a lot of historic sights around the city (like much of New England), so there’s often something quaint around the corner.
Cilantro Mex
Because Providence isn’t as bustling and large as other cities, it doesn’t feel like it’s in your face, so it’s easier to take in. Most of time during my walk around the city, I was alone, just listening to the din of traffic or the faint patter of my own footsteps. Echoes of car horns, distant trains. But I was quiet and content because the best way to get a feel for a place is to let yourself absorb it.
Absorb. Watch the people, the places, the movement. Just to get a sense.
