Thursday, July 06, 2006

Fort Robinson

I took this photo standing on the ground where the German POW camp used to be during World War II at Fort Robinson. Those are buttes in the distance. The camp was actually a mile away from the main post at the fort.

It has a sort of stark beauty to it. I snapped this picture a few years ago during the winter, so it's a bit more dreary than the spring and summer months.

But I can't imagine how the Germans must have felt living in such a place. It's a far cry from the lush land of Germany. The wide open spaces must have been a shock to their system, as well. In fact, the richness of America astonished them. Their government had led them to believe that German bombs had devestated America. How surprised they must have been to see the United States not only intact, but thriving.

Nebraska still has those wide open spaces. Miles and miles of them. The first time I went to California, I was shocked. From Anaheim to L.A., it was nothing but houses. I couldn't fathom that at the time. Here in Nebraska, if you travel between two towns, there's always a stretch of land between you and your destination, not a steady string of buildings.

What's the whole point of this post? I'm not sure I have one. I just like to wonder sometimes at how our perspectives are shaped by our surroundings. Growing up in the city, one will have a vastly different perspective of the world than those growing up on a farm or in the country.

So here's my question...how do you feel your childhood surroundings shaped you?

6 comments:

  1. I think growing up in a medium sized town definitely shaped my idea of community, of how the neighbors all knew you and you had a feeling they were watching out for you. Or maybe just watching you so they could gossip to the other neighbors...

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  2. Anonymous9:45 AM

    It's stunning, isn't it?

    I grew up all over the world, which taught me to appreciate many different cultures. It also inspired my love of history.

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  3. I grew up in the deep suburbs of a medium-sized city. In many ways I'm a real city girl, but because we were close to the outskirts, I also love hiking etc.

    Think it also made me fairly social as well, though I also love my alone time.

    Great pic, btw.

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  4. I need the suburbs. I also need to live near enough to a good sized city to enjoy the benefits. Wide open, flat spaces give me the hives.

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  5. I'm a small town girl--it made me ache to travel--and so I have traveled and now I wouldn't mind going back to my small town roots LOL!!!

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  6. I grew up in a small town, and I always craved the big city. Now, I'm in the big city, and I still love an urban lifestyle.

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