Christopher Vargas
English 100
9/23/11
Moving to Sweden, as a Chilean, was a big step for me. Everything was so different from Chile, the people, the culture, the food and the way they use their bikes. At the beginning, it was interesting to see all these people biking in their suits and business clothes. One afternoon, I was on the bus on my way home from school, and it hit me, I started wondering what if I could wake up in a different place, and in a different time. Could I wake up as a different person? Months before moving to the US, I didn’t know what to expect from it since I was still deciding between the UK and the US for my future studies. I had never been to the US before, but when I was on the plane on my way over here, I started to think, what if I don’t like Chicago? How is the public transportation? I had no idea about anything, but I took this huge step. I’ve been here in Chicago for a month now and somehow it still feels like I haven’t explored the city or its edges. My bike culture is gone, but I don’t know for how long.
I used to bike a lot; I did it back in Sweden to take me everywhere I needed to. Every time I travel to a new place I always try to find a way to discover more places in a faster way. Two years ago, I went to Amsterdam with my best friend over the weekend, and we each rented a bike. It was amazing how much you can explore in one day. It’s cheap and really fun, but now that I’m in Chicago I haven’t been able to explore the city like I’m used to. Chicago has some excellent bike lanes, but they’re not everywhere. I think I’m being too European for my own good when it comes to this, but when I’m out in the city and I see bikers, I don’t see myself biking like them. I like to speed a little when I bike, but most of Chicago’s streets are not made for bikes In addition, drivers don’t seem to care enough for bikers, and I have found it unsafe for me to bike.
When I moved to Sweden ten years ago I was impressed by the culture they had when it came to bikes. Sweden has rules for everything. If you need to turn, you must show where you are going to turn using your hands. There are roads and signs everywhere. I’ve been in Chicago for a really short time, but I already miss riding my bike to school or training or any other place. Chicago has some really nice bike lanes by the lake, but somehow it doesn’t feel the same. Drivers in Sweden really respect bikers, but in Chicago it feels like you can get hit by a car anytime. A few times I’ve been sitting in a coffee shop watching people, and I always find it interesting how drivers reacts when there is just a little delay in their journey. Horns start sounding. If there are bikers, they get scared. Luckily, no one has been run on far on my watch.
In the summer in Sweden, it’s amazing how many people you see riding their bikes. Bikers nowadays make around sixty percent of the daily travels in Malmö. That’s quite impressive for such a city that only has around 600,000-800,000 inhabitants. I miss seeing bikers all over the place. In the summer, is impressive to see so many people on the street using everything but cars and public transportation. That’s why I believe Malmö is such a beautiful and clean city. Waking up in a different place has made me realize that I don’t only miss riding my bike, but also being able to see the scores of bikers. Chicago is a beautiful city, but like any other city in the world, it’s missing something. For me, feeling lost in translation is something that has happened every day since I left Chile, but since I basically spent all my teen years in Sweden, I have the Swedish bike culture in me now. Now I’m waking up in a different place, in a different time, and I’m lost in translation all over again, with new food, new people, new culture and a new way of life. All my life I’ve identified myself as a Chilean, and I will continue doing so. However, when it comes to bikes, I’m more Swedish than a Swedish himself. I just keep wondering, in a future not so far away, will I wake up as a different person?
I used to go to school bike also. I quite agree with your idea which saying is unsafe to bike in the US. Nevertheless, I won't give up to bike when I have time.
ReplyDeleteyes, I won't either but it's a shame that I cannot longer bike like I used to. Next summer I'm starting to use my inliner again though =)
ReplyDeletewow i really like way bike culture is recognized in your country, but you can still go on the bike even though it wouldn't be the same again.
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ReplyDeleteHi! I think each immigrant is missing something in his/her country or another country, but we all came here for a better education and better life. Once we get to our goal, everything will get easier. we will adapt to the American culture as the years go by. the tiltle of your essay reminds me of a book I had read with the title "Between Two Worlds".
ReplyDeleteI think the good memory is only one parts of our lives.Maybe sometimes we will miss something or someone,but we should look forward to the wonderful life in the future.
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