country mouse in the city

Peek-a-boo

Looking out my living room window I have a great view into about one hundred living rooms. I am aware the people in those living rooms also have a similar view into mine. And my bedroom. Note to self: Don't walk around naked with the blinds open.

Being surrounded by high-rise apartment buildings full of people is an odd feeling. In many ways it's comforting to know if I was murdered, there is a good chance someone might see it happening (think Agatha Christie 4.50 from Paddington). But then it's creepy to think someone could be watching while I'm chilling on the couch watching The LA Complex (no judgement please). But whatever lack of privacy I have in Downtown Vancouver (yes I've moved, house sitting for a friend), it's nothing compared to what I grew up with.

Growing up at Montumana (Montu-what? I hear you say), our nearest neighbour was a couple of paddocks away. At night we struggled to see the lights of another house. On the rare occasion the front door was locked, the back was open anyway. Every time a car went up the road, everyone looked to see who it was. It was often followed a comment about where that person might be off to. I didn't come from a small town. The nearest town was 20 minutes away. Even now, years after we moved, visiting the supermarket in Wynyard (the nearest town. Pop: about 4000) is basically a reunion without the party pies and paper plates.

My new apartment building is one of these. I forget which one.

When I moved back to Burnie it was a similar story. I could tell who was at the gym just by the cars in the car park. If I rang someone for an interview and gave my name, more than once the reply was "Oh you must be David's daughter". The chances of playing up have the news not get back to either my employer or my parents were slim.
Now living in a city of 2 million people, I have more anonymity than I've ever had. In one week I've seen five other people in my apartment building. It makes me wonder about all those times if people asked me if I felt isolated growing up in the country. How can knowing everyone who lives in a 5km radius be isolating? Don't get me wrong, I like living in the city. 24 hour gyms, sushi on every corner and a Starbucks on every other corner is good fun. For now. But I'm pretty sure I'm a country mouse at heart.