It's All Perspective

I found Thursday's English class really interesting. It was nice to get into smaller groups and discusss topics with people on a more personal level, where everyone had the opportunity to share their thoughts. The question that brought about the most interesting responses, in my opinion, was the one about the north end of Edmonton and Edmonton being spit in two. The common response from most people was that they did see Edmonton as two separate cities and alot of people had stereotyped ideas about the north end (though everyone admitted to knowing this). I think it is really interesting how people can have such strong opinions and preconcieved notions about a place they barely know, that exists in their own city. I have to admit I am guilty of this myself, I have always stayed away from Mill Woods. Though I fully understand that we all tend to judge what we don't know that well, I found people's comments to be really interesting regardless of any biases. My idea of the north side of the city is very different because much of my family lives there, and I spent a big part of my childhood on the north end. When I imagine the north side the way I remember it I always come up with very child-like images. I remember the playground at Bishop Savaryn and the pond my babysitter would take us to. I remeber the pasta place that my dad would drive me to after school, and walking to school in the morning. My memories of the north end are all very pleasant and homey. For a long time I liked it more than the west end where I have always lived. It goes to show how much our interpretation and understanding of a place relies on  the memories and experiences there. Even though I am familiar with the north side, I do feel that large separation from the rest of the city. Maybe it is because of the distance or because my memories seem further away as I get older. Maybe we separate places in terms of memory and that is why a city can seem so disjointed. Regardless of what creates the separation, it exists whether you know the other side or not.