Upon Arrival: Carolina Vibes
The original article first appeared in Vol 9, Issue 1 of Industry Certified Magazine. Visit their website for access to the full article.
“Growing up in a place that has been ranked as one of the best cities to live in America, I was bored. Best doesn’t mean exciting. People know about places like New York and Los Angeles. These are places I see in movies and on TV. No one ever mentions Cary, North Carolina.
In my early twenties, I moved to Maui. I had never lived anywhere else and jumped at the opportunity when it arose. The Hawaii Islands draw visitors from all over the world, and everyone wanted to know where I was from. But people were silent when I said Raleigh. Occasionally, someone would mention Asheville in response. The Blue Ridge Mountains are known for their unparalleled beauty, a true hiking and camping paradise. A Vanderbilt Estate is also located there, the famous Biltmore House, which draws tourists year-round. I knew about the area, but I had never been. Hearing people rave about Asheville made me wonder what else I had overlooked…
There were things about North Carolina I never knew I would miss. When I left, I was certain to miss some things. Like southern food. And I knew I was saying good-bye to vinegar-based pork barbecue. But I didn’t realize I was saying good-bye to nights lulled to sleep by summer thunderstorms. And I didn’t know I’d miss the sound of cicadas on a hot day or lightning bugs at night. Or even people calling them lightning bugs instead of just fireflies. And I didn’t know I would miss the mountains…
When I returned to North Carolina for my second attempt at college, I knew I had to visit Asheville. Shortly after moving back, I was invited to the mountains to visit a friend for the weekend. I jumped at the opportunity. After so many tourists in Hawaii raved about the mountains of North Carolina, I knew I had missed out on something remarkable…
The sun was setting as I neared town. The road wound around a steep drop-off overlooking deep valleys below. I saw the horizon stretch out before me. I noticed the mountains rolling off into the distance like blue waves. It was everywhere. I couldn’t help but notice the constant reminder that I was in the mountains. In Maui, I lived on a small island, and water was everywhere. You couldn’t help but notice the ocean all around you. You saw it when you left your house or drove down the street. It was always there. Maui will always have a special place in my heart as one of my chosen homes, but I learned that home is also a state of mind. It’s a feeling. I felt at home in Hawaii, but I also feel at home in North Carolina. I noticed that here, just like in Hawaii, nature has an overwhelming presence. North Carolina might not be a tropical paradise, but it still takes my breath away.”
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