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?