CITY MOUSE, COUNTRY MOUSE

Here we are, living in the “big city”.  Alright, so it’s relatively a little city, but definitely a step into a very different lifestyle for us considering the fact we just came from the jungles of Costa Rica.

Jeff grew up in rural Connecticut with rich, sprawling farms and neighbors far and few between. He actually had his own farm in his “other” life, with horses and pigs and tractors and flower and vegetable gardens. We chuckle - there would’ve been no way we’d have even given each other a second look when we were young. I was as much of a farmer as an astronaut. Not quite “Dahling, I love you but give me Park Avenue!”, but close enough. 

He calls me a “city chick”, though you can imagine “city” is a relative term in Rhode Island. The house I lived in as a child was located in a microcosmic suburban neighborhood though, so it didn’t feel like a city at all. Still, I was lucky enough to know the countryside, too. My parents had a humble rustic cottage on a lake at the other end of the state (an long hour’s ride!) where went for the summers. The best of both worlds.

So how do you adjust to life in a condo when you’re used to “putzing” around in the country fresh air? That was a challenge at first. Before all else, we chose wisely in the first place. The old adage of “know thyself” worked. We knew we needed outdoor space, so that was the only thing we looked for without compromise. Cuenca’s got some beautiful buildings, but unfortunately, not a whole lot have outside areas or terraces. Some have bright, open rooms, though, and for many that’s certainly enough. Some of our friends even found great homes with lovely yards. We were lucky to find an apartment with enough terrace area to have a barbecue grill, hang out space, and planters. Our “gardens” may not be extensive, but boy, they’re a saving grace to keep us busy and enjoy that all-important sense of nature.

Another way to feed the “country mouse” part of us of course, is to get up and away. We really enjoy our thriving city social life with great new friends, and yet the options are endless in terms of getting out into the countryside. Last week friends invited us out to their charming “casita” just outside of Cuenca. Up on a lush green mountainside, it looks down on the city below, backed by more mountains across the way. Horses, cows, chickens, dogs - it had everything a country mouse would ever want.

Our first “big trip” was to the sleepy little town of Vilcabamba just the week before with dear friends. Talk about heaven. Vilcabamba is hidden in what’s known as the Valley of Longevity, where people are known to live as long as 120 years. There’s a fairly significant and growing expat community there as well. Everywhere you look the gorgeous Andes tower majestically over you. Country Jeff went off with a group for what turned out to be a daring horseback ride through perilously narrow and muddy paths with sheer drops below.  “One misstep of the horse and you were gone,” he said. Still, he was exhilarated and happy to have gone. Me? I’m glad the “city chick” stayed behind.

So what are you - country mouse or city mouse? I can go either way. I think, though, that I wouldn’t feel “full”  living too far away from nature. What about you?