"It's a small world/synchronicity"

You're from Baltimore TOO?!

I have met 6 Baltimoreans in Mountain Town in the past week, and none were related!  So just as I'm about ready to sit down and blog about this today, I c that the guy sitting next to me is wearing an Orioles shirt!  So, of course I asked him if he too is from there, he said no.

Too bad there isn't some sort of official registry!  If a person moves from say, Vietnam to North Carolina, they frequently seek out other Vietnamese.

So, whether you like where you are from or not, humans love the familiarity of meeting other humans who are from the same place.

My favorite incident in the past week of meeting a Baltimorean was, at the book fest.  The author lives in Albuquerque now.  She didn't even have to speak 3 syllables for me to say: "YOU'RE FROM BALTIMORE!"

"It's a small world after all"

Setting: In front of Big Bucks

Yesterday there was a couple sitting in front of BIg Bucks who are from North Carolina.  They lost everyting in the recession of 08.  They are now livikng in their van.  Their vehicle broke down in Mountain Town about a week ago.

They had a table full of bibles, and the husband has some very strong outspoken ideologies.  He calls himself "militant" and even apologized to me.  He has a heart of gold and a strong southern accent.

I had a very enjoyable and strong connection with the wife.  She was inspired when she heard that I blog about my journey.

When I gave her the blog she said:

"Well, yes, I already came across this blog while googling for services for the poor!"

(Lady you just made my day!)

"Small World/More mini adventure"

I am a long long long way from Baltimore , yet in the last week I have met:

A man visiting from Owings Mills

A woman visiting from Woodlawn

And a woman who has relocated here in 1972 from Pikesville.

The woman from Pikesville had a brother (who died in Vietnam) who used to play with one of my family members.

It is a small, small, world.

"It's a small world after all"

I reckon since I've lived in Mountain Town, I have met about 10 folks from the Baltimore region.  However, today, I met a homeless Vietnam Vet. who still owns a trailer, on a horse farm, on the same exact road I lived on in Hampstead.  Black rock road.  So, he lived maybe 1/2 mile away from me.....

On his second day in Mountain Town, a town some mistakenly think is as safe as Mayberry, he was robbed at gunpoint by 2 masked men at the supermarket in broad daylight!

There is NO SUCH THING as a safe neighborhood, folks.

"Noise Pollution/At the bookstore"

I'm at "home" and I'm attempting to talk on the phone. In the background there is the sound of an electric saw coming from the back yard and at the same time the woman in the apt. above me is hammering. Noise pollution has seriously affected my health and my sleep for most of my life.



It is not unusual for me to have to leave my apt. with the sole attempt of finding a quiet place elsewhere.

AT THE BOOKSTORE:

I've decided to buy this month's issue of "Baltimore"  "BEST PLACES TO LIVE."

  I love to read those kinds of listings as part of my quest to find the perfect place to live.

But first I walk up to the counter and ask the clerk: "Does this store carry "Measure of a Man?" by Sidney Poitier? Yes, she said, but we ran out.   Would you like me to call you when our next shipment comes in?

 Yes, I responded, "I've already read half of it, since Oprah recommended it. On another note,  did you know that  Baltimore magazine is rating the "best" places to live within Baltimore?  Baltimore isn't right for me and I am always looking for a better place to live!" I pick up the magazine and hand her my debit card.

CLERK-"Elana Snyder" she said out loud, reading the name off of my card.   Did you ever date a man with the last name of Duchane?"

ME-"Yes, for 6 years. We were engaged!"

CLERK-"Well, I was very close friends with his brother!"

The clerk and I chat for about a half hour.   It turns out that we first  met in the late 80's. We have fun catching up. She non-chalantly said: "Yes, you know that time we visited you and your boyfriend in Indiana, right?!

"You did?!" "Wow! I don't even remember that!"

I believe this familiarity is why so many never leave the place of their birth or rearing. One of my favorite sayings about life in Baltimore is this:

"You know what I love about Baltimore? That I know everybody. You know what I hate about Baltimore?! That I know everybody!"