We know Ithaca isn’t that big. Yet, so much of it is left unexplored due to the boatloads of problem sets and upcoming readings. On Saturday, September 8th a few of the Rose Scholars and myself got to burst our Cornell bubble and go out and see what Ithaca has to offer.
The walk from West Campus to the farmer’s market really isn’t that long. It’s about a 1.5 mile walk from campus. Plus, it’s not even a complicated walk. It’s really just walking straight for a while and making a few turns. Even though it’s such a short walk I had only been to the farmer’s market once before. One remark I heard that I related to was, “I’ve never walked this far away from Cornell before.”
It’s hard to leave campus, at least for me it is. Since when I’m out I’m having constant guilt thinking about how I could be spending this time doing homework. However, when I was out on Saturday I didn’t really think about it too much. The thought popped into my head a few times, but it wasn’t in the nagging way that I have experienced before.
The walk is pleasant as you get to talk with friends while venturing around Ithaca. The conversations aren’t about class. The conversation ranges from popular movies to what house in the neighborhood we think is the prettiest. There’s something far better about walking than just taking an Uber over. Not that I don’t do a lot of walking at Cornell, but walking helps to clear my mind. I get to breathe in the fresh air and live in the moment.
The farmer’s market is a hub for the Ithaca Community. And when I say Ithaca Community I don’t just mean Cornell students. Though I saw a few Cornell sweatshirts, the farmer’s market brought together couples and families.
The vendors at the farmer’s market are honestly the best at what they do. The farmer’s market isn’t like meandering through Wegmans. It’s a social experience. You get to meet the person who grew the crop, which is an opportunity that a big chain doesn’t give you. You’re greeted with a warm smile as you approach each stall and you’re encouraged to try samples. For example, when I bought a kimchi spicy pork taco the vendor encouraged me to try the hot sauces he made. He enthusiastically told me about each one and which ones he liked. You can tell that these people aren’t in it for the money. They’re doing what they’re doing because it’s their passion.
Reflecting on today I don’t see my time as a waste of time. That time out gave me a moment to get away from the hustle and bustle of Cornell. It allowed me to come back to campus refreshed and gave me a new perspective on what Ithaca has to offer me besides Cornell. I even found that I was more productive and that I got more done; perhaps because I went out and explored, instead of just sitting in my dorm room writing code.
The lesson I’d take away from today is that to be productive you can’t just sit at your desk and work. You have to be kind to yourself and give yourself time to step away and see a world beyond the task at hand. Life is about experiences, friendships, and being connected to others in our community.