Connecticut has a cultural divide.  This is not a metaphor; there is literally a dividing line down the center of the state called the Connecticut River.  People that live west of the river are affluent, cultured, professional.  They eat sushi and read literary fiction. They root for New York sports teams and drink a lot of Starbucks.

East of the river is different.  It’s easier to find pizza and chicken wings than haute cuisine, most jobs are blue collar and most cars over ten years old.   Oh, and they have bumper stickers that say things like “I root for the Red Sox and whoever is playing the Yankees.” My town is only about two hours from New York City, but if I randomly asked ten of my neighbors when they last visited the city, half of them will tell you they have never actually been there and have no desire to go.

When I lived in this town 25 years ago, I was not much different.  I visited the city exactly twice before leaving at age 24.  Now, after living over half of my life in major metropolitan areas, I thought that when I moved back I would travel regularly to New York, Boston, Philadelphia and other cities within an easy day’s ride. 

But I haven’t.  Since returning to east-of-the-river Connecticut nine months ago, I’ve been to Boston once and New York City not at all.  A 25-mile trip into Hartford is about as cosmopolitan as I get, and I’ve only done that about five times.

So today I’m going into the city to see my agent, then eat Dim Sum in Chinatown.  Why did I wait so long?  Just a quick trip to Grand Central Station and a cab downtown…

Well, isn't that what we all do? I mean I live exactly 10 minutes from the Norton Simon Museum and have for the last 6 years. I have been to the museum not once!

On the other hand, when I travel, I go out of my way to hit interesting spots as if I am finally free of all the things that hold me into my rut.

Last weekend I drove up the coast to Monterey and went to three of the California Missions and the Aquarium.

There is so much to do here at home and I end up doing things like sitting on my arse in front of the computer. Time to get a life for both of us!

Toni, my aunt, uncle and cousins would be surprised to hear that they live on the cultured, affluent, literary-fiction-reading side of the state. Their collars are as blue as they come. Good, hard-working, salt-of-the-earth people that don't have a lot of cash. I think my uncle roots for the Yankees and the Mets however.

West of the river isn't all that wonderful, and east of the river isn't that trashy! Just ask the folks in Waterbury, which is a solidly lower middle class blue collar neighborhood. According to your theory, they should all be sipping Starbucks lattes instead of the convenience store cup of joe, and we know that ain't so!