Admiring Arkansas

Hello world.  Sorry for the utter betrayal of my blog by leaving many epic tales and adventures unaccounted for.  Maybe perhaps in the future I will make an effort to convey them with as much enthusiasm as I lived them.

For now I shall neglect travels in Eastern Europe, New Years in Spain, the Obama road trip to Chicago, blizzards in Boston, and gentleman on Broadway to convey my fervor for Spring in Arkansas.

I returned to visit my grandparents and to help them recuperate from some previous tragedies and I've recollected such fond memories from this state that I realized I have actually never written a blog in the US about the US. Therefore, today I will abolish my unpatriotic practice and share a few highlights from the good ol' south and embrace the American within. 

I think Arkansas might be the most underrated state in the US. For some reason, it's a state with hidden gems - literally, it's the diamond state, but also such awesome things like the Little Rock 9, the dawn of segregation, Hattie Caraway, the first female senator (WHAT! - that's pioneering in civil rights and women's rights), and millions of acres of luscious national forest.

It gets it's bad rap for it's hicks & hillbillies, country roads, possums, humidity and walmart. (A significant portion of Arkansans would want to add Bill Clinton to that list…and sometimes getting compared to Mississippi...whose accolade of merit is Elvis...which, yes he's awesome, but Johnny Cash is equally as iconic.) However, Arkansans are just humble and would rather soak up the brilliant sunshine than get involved in a prideful debate.
(clearly, I need to work on my humility...)
Deep down, they are satisfied with life and need to prove it to no one; satisfaction that comes with the colors of Spring. If you have never spent a spring in Arkansas with it's brilliant dogwoods, redbuds, daffodils, and pear trees (although stinky, the beautiful fluffy white mystical awesomeness seems to come straight out of a fairytale), you don't really know what spring is. (or allergies...for that matter)

Today, I will attempt to redeem Arkansas. Or at most explain some of its peculiarities I admired, approved, or embraced whilst an inhabitant of this blessed state. (No, I will not be divulging the secret to moonshining.)

Southern charm and Southern hospitality

I don't think I really need to explain this.
But, something I've always found endearing while trying to maintain composure on the endlessly curvy/hilly roads, everyone that drives by waves and smiles. Just like in the westerns, when you drive your buggy into town.

Arkansans are loyal and true and always full of love!  (okay, I could say the same things about Kansans. There may be more than just tornadoes connecting Kansas to Arkansas and the confusing ’s’ at the end - it’s kindness. People are awesome despite geographical locations...that's really the point here.)

Religion

Usually my faith seems strange for others especially overseas to understand; it's slightly extreme. A majority of my Arkansas friends, though not Mormon, have no qualms with sitting in a church pew a few hours every week; they know the books of the bible, and are faithful followers of their beliefs! I’ve been inspired so many times by the hope and conviction of friends from other faiths.

But, even for all those that don’t really claim a religion, there’s football. Specifically the Razorbacks. If you are an Arkansas resident and not a razorbacks fan, you should probably not admit it. Just go with it. It’s not like the SEC is lacking in excitement.  

On a side note, I went out on a hike last week in the buffalo wilderness and was totally startled by a hog in my path. At first I thought he was cute and my Instagram instincts kicked in, but then I reverted to my brain and my flee instincts actually still work better. Alas, wild baby goats make hiking alone so much more pleasant. (In that regard, Taiwan has you beat, Arkansas.)

Hunting

Arkansans love their dogwoods as much as they love their hunting dogs (admittedly, I don't know anyone who has a hunting dog...but, some cliches just make excellent literary parallels so it stands). Hunting is also a legit sport and I would bet that half of Arkansans own at least one hunting rifle and would secede with Texas if the 2nd amendment was ever revoked. Fishing tournaments, big racks…talking about deer..., rifles, bows, and duck calls. They don’t need a grocery store to have enough meat for winter.

I don’t hunt, but, I have pulled a trigger on some semiautomatics…strictly for zombie apocalypse training, that's all. Honestly, I cry when I run over a squirrel in my car.  Poor squirrel.  :(  But, that doesn’t stop those less faint of heart. Actually, even squirrel hunting is a thing…not that you really hunt squirrels. I remember packing some ice cream in a communal dorm freezer at college only to have to find room amidst a Ziploc of skinned squirrels. Must I say, I chose another freezer for my ice-cream. 

I'm not attesting that Arkansas is perfect. No state ever is (unless you are a chemist that likes working with gases…or Alaska). BUT, I have brilliant friends, kind friends, happy friends, thoughtful, hilarious, strong, beautiful, loving, charming, caring, hard-working, patient, sympathetic, courageous, courteous, passionate, phenomenal, philosophical friends who all live in the state of Arkansas. Sure, it's not so metropolitan, but for Arkansans, it's unnecessary. Simple can be better: enjoying the budding trees, long friendships, sense of community, and majestic thunderstorms.

Thanks to the many kind-hearted friends in Arkansas that love me no matter how far away I go and have open arms whenever I do make it back!  And mostly, thanks for the memories!!

It can also get quite muddy...

I will say...if you can't stand snakes, chiggers, mosquitoes, and intense humidity...you might not make it.  I deal with it, because it's just natural.