Central Illinois

To begin, you can’t discuss Central Illinois without first mentioning the incredible flatness of it. When you’re in a city, even a small one like Champaign, you can ignore it, but the second one drives past Savoy into Tolono and Arthur and beyond, the sheer amount of space you can see on either side is a little shocking. The whole terrain is neat rows of plants as far as the eye can see. Corn and Soy in summer, and whatever dead bits remain in winter. You can find a very similar sort of arrangement in much of the Midwest. 

I think Central Illinois is somehow very easy to dislike. Not so much for me personally, but I can understand the people who can’t wait to leave. I think part of it might be the repetition of the landscape. All it takes is one sports bus ride to really drive that point home. On the way to the tiny schools we’re playing it’s always light out so we can admire Illinois for all its natural beauty. Usually, the most interesting landmark we see is a billboard. I’m being too harsh though, it really isn’t so bad if you have a little imagination and maybe a good playlist. On the way back however, it’s a different story. The further you drive the more you encounter these fields of windmills. During the day they look like regular windmills, because of course they are. In the night however, red lights on the propellers blink on and off to warn planes of their presence, giving off a menacing sort of dystopian feeling to any onlookers. I remember one particular bus ride where we passed at least 5 of these fields. Tired and very aware of all the homework I hadn’t yet done, with each field I told myself it had to be the last one. Many times I was wrong, and it’s in moments like those that the vast expanses of nothing appear less freeing. 

In terms of the people and culture, I have nothing but good things to say. I’m not sure if Midwestern charm is a thing people say, but it should be. Most of the people, specifically strangers, I’ve encountered here are a very certain type of polite and well mannered. I think the most accurate word to describe them would be genuine. Their readiness to greet you if you make eye contact while you’re walking for example, that certainly isn’t something you see everywhere. That specific stereotype is one that has held true for me and my experiences, but there are others which I'm surprised even exist as well-known characteristics. For example, calling a water fountain a "bubbler" or "pop" for soda is what is generally expected from Midwesterners (from my knowledge and this article I found on supposed midwestern sayings: https://www.insider.com/midwestern-sayings-2018-10#pop-is-a-word-for-what-others-call-soda-2). Perhaps they really are widely used and I have just managed to avoid them so far.

In general, like any place, Central Illinois has its good and bad aspects, all depending on how you look at it and what your personal tastes are. As I talk with my classmates about their next steps with regard to their college picks, that variance becomes especially apparent. Like them, I have thought a lot about the particular nuances of my feelings toward this place where I have lived all my life. I can confidently say I don't mind it, but I don't think that's because of the perfect weather or jaw dropping scenery. I think it's because of the memories I have here, and no matter where I'm going next, it will be difficult to part with the Midwest.