My current sanctuary is a one-bedroom apartment in the city.
It’s pretty luxurious, compared to where many people around the world live.
It’s comfortably heated and even has a dishwasher (although I’ve never used
it). I have a table and chairs for a few dinner guests (and even accommodations
for overnight guests). I have a TV, although no cable or internet, so I can
watch all the DVD’s I want. The public library is a 5-minute walk, so I have
access to lots of DVD’s and books…and a place to go if I want to access the
Internet and see what’s happening in the world.
It’s pretty quiet, although I sometimes hear a neighbor. I barely
notice the traffic in the distance, airplanes, police sirens or machines
working.
I traded a beautiful 2-story, 3 bedroom home in the country
for this, and I’m really happy about it. I miss the birdsong and walks in the
woods with my dog, but I feel that this is the right place for me now. I am an
environmentalist, and I belong in the city. My biggest fossil fuel use was my
car, followed by the energy being used to heat and cool my big free-standing
house. Now I walk to the grocery store and take a bus or train to go farther. I
have access to restaurants and museums and other activities. I can attend a
social or cultural event or even a political rally, without feeling guilty or
hypocritical for burning fuel to get there. I even share a washing machine with
the other residents of my building. There are thousands of new friends waiting
for me to meet them.
It’s certainly a change, but hardly a sacrifice.
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