I've gone a really long time thinking that the cultural differences between this part of Indiana and Chicago aren't really that different. But now that I have a car and live off campus, I spend a lot more time in restaurants, grocery stores, and other places the real world requires me to be.
I was home a couple weeks ago and walked into a breakfast place with my grandma, parents, and some other relatives. It's her favorite brunch place. The atmosphere this morning was boisterously loud and energetic, and we were seated by a manager who seemed genuinely happy that these strangers were in his establishment.
I thought to myself, this is so....Chicago. This atmosphere was so comforting and familiar, and I realized that I've been missing this while living in Indiana. My sampling might be shitty, but Chicago feels like a happier place in general. It's a nice combination of urban progressivism and Midwestern laid-back-ness. It's how I grew up. My dad is as midwestern as anyone can be. I like it.
Indiana has grown on me and while I don't really want to live here after I graduate, it's been an interesting home away from home. It's very quaint and quintessentially American. But it's just not the same. I really don't know where I'm going with this, but I'm definitely looking forward to going home for a bit.
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