The other day I ventured down to Montpelier, America's Smallest State Capital, to visit the closest AT&T store to purchase an iPhone. Yes, finally the last person of my generation has gotten a smartphone. Anyways while driving down to the mini-metropolitan area I realized how spoiled I've been living in the city. It is only sixteen miles to Montpelier along country roads and six miles of interstate, but the country roads can seem like an awful lot when you're only going out to replace a phone. Back in the city there was an AT&T store only a mile from my apartment, I could walk if I truly wanted to to speak with a service representative about an wireless problem. Now having to travel makes me long for the time when everything was in walking distance to my apartment and a Wawa.
Being in Montpelier I noticed that some things do change in Vermont. Back in high school I spent a lot of time in the area for various reasons and then most of the buildings were dedicated to state use or Vermont College. There was the movie theatre of course along with NECI and a few odds and ends shops and restaurants, but nothing unique or trendy. Montpelier back then was a stagnant town along the river. The other day I noticed the hipsters roaming the streets with their cutoffs and ironic tattoos and realized that the city is moving forwards. Slowly, very slowly and in a direction that would make traditional Vermonters cringe Montpelier is moving in a relevant direction catering to the youth culture of Vermont.
Now that I've realized how much I hate driving more than a five mile radius (which doesn't even get me out of Stowe) I'm not sure when I'll be back, maybe when Moonrise Kingdom comes to the Savoy Theatre. When I do venture down I will be sure to check out the various updated shops and eateries like the Skinny Pancake and check out the local musical scene.
Being in Montpelier I noticed that some things do change in Vermont. Back in high school I spent a lot of time in the area for various reasons and then most of the buildings were dedicated to state use or Vermont College. There was the movie theatre of course along with NECI and a few odds and ends shops and restaurants, but nothing unique or trendy. Montpelier back then was a stagnant town along the river. The other day I noticed the hipsters roaming the streets with their cutoffs and ironic tattoos and realized that the city is moving forwards. Slowly, very slowly and in a direction that would make traditional Vermonters cringe Montpelier is moving in a relevant direction catering to the youth culture of Vermont.
Now that I've realized how much I hate driving more than a five mile radius (which doesn't even get me out of Stowe) I'm not sure when I'll be back, maybe when Moonrise Kingdom comes to the Savoy Theatre. When I do venture down I will be sure to check out the various updated shops and eateries like the Skinny Pancake and check out the local musical scene.
