Happy New Year of the Dragon
Ogunquit, ME, a small coastal town with narrow streets, rustic houses, scenic trails by the sea, and very quiet neibourhoods. 600 or so permanent residents live here in the winter, whereas 22,000 people come here vacationing from across the states in the summer.
I’m not used anymore to walk around those narrow streets, because it made me feel as if I were back to the days of horse-drawn traffic. Believe it or not, my front door street in southern California could be classified as the broadway here in these rural comnunities of New England.
New England is getting old and outdated in terms of its infrastructure. This is very true in the eyes of those who come from California. I was re-thinking the rationals behind the higher gas tax policies in California every time when I was traveling through these New England towns and villages. Should I change my mind complaining about paying $4-5/gal there in California to buy a relatively smooth traffic, vs. enjoying a much lower taxed gas sale of $3/gal here in New England to trade for a tough ride? I don’t know, to be honest.
It seems that, however, except for rugged roads and other pretty ancient public facilities, there is a lot more that is worth considering to settle down here in New England, provided that you are rooted deep in European lifestyle and cultural values, such as art, architecture, literature, music, cuisines, and more importantly, education and traditions. Overall, living here in New England is not only easier but also more joyful in many ways.
Perhaps the old Chinese saying is right: a gain always goes with a loss (有得有失).
We spent this weekend to celebrate the new year of the dragon with our son & daughter-in-law as well as her parents who own a vacation house in that place of Ogunquit, Maine. The family reunion this time is very special because it’s been 5 years since the last time we shared Chinese new year eve together.
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