The Quirks of My Hometown Anonymous

A psychedelic haze of multicolored swirls and delicate little braids gyrates to the sound of rhythmic music. Tie-dyed shirts and dreadlocks have become the customary attire of every festival in Ithaca, New York, from the Apple Harvest Festival to the renowned Grassroots, but contrary to popular belief, Ithaca is not just the hippie city that smokes weed. It is a bustling college town that is home to Cornell University and Ithaca College, filled with international students and people from all around the United States. These factors foster an environment of acceptance and open-mindedness. With little idiosyncrasies such as veganism, the love of the local Greenstar store, and “Feel the Bern” paraphernalia, elements of diversity, beauty, and solidarity combine to make Ithaca my beloved hometown.

In Ithaca, I prefer to take the TCAT buses. I could say that I advocate for the use of public transportation because I feel an urgent calling to save the environment. In reality, I just enjoy conversing with the college students and learning about their cultures and their stories. I admired my hometown even more after Mayor Svante Myrick’s decision to welcome Syrian refugees, the influx of immigrants in the community has changed the...