Buffalo You Beauty!

Well, right now I am writing because I have wanted to for a little while now about this but wasn't getting the time. And right now I have a little time although I am not in the actual mood of those feelings so don't know how it will turn out but here's hoping I can put into words the feelings that I felt way after I did.

Buffalo! The first time I heard about the name of this city 2 and a half years ago, I was like 'I will never go live in a city which has a name like THAT!'. Well, things change, sometimes not to the best of your liking but they probably are for the best for you. You know the name Buffalo has actually been derived from French for 'beautiful river' which is 'Beau Fleuve' and got twisted to Buffalo? Amazingly stupid, right?!

Buffalo has been one of the rarest 'phenomenon' in my life that wasn't as I expected it to be- usually I form views pretty quickly AND they are mostly right, about people, places and things but this is one of those that changed.. and that too, a little too drastically.

I still remember the first few days when we all were new here, roaming about and we were all like 'it is so dull, it gets so cold..how can people live here forever!' and the thought that I had to these thoughts was that 'I don't think someone would live here unless they are brought up here from the beginning or unless they just HAVE to!'. But now, I don't see a reason not to be here and I see nothing wrong with those who do.

To start with, I should tell you that it is a really quiet place; loud sounds, whether of traffic or people are practically non existent and it was really weird at first but then it has taught and made me realize the importance of that silence. Yes, sometimes the quiet around you can make you feel a bit lonely, sometimes it can make you actually hear the silence but then, it has also made me value the chatter in life. And when I do hear the chatter of people who are actually from here, I realize why the city is called 'the city of good neighbors'. 

Then, it is so beautiful that I can definitely say that out of the numerous cities I have been to, this one would probably top in terms of its ranges of natural beauty (may be excluding Pehelgam though). Everyone said at the time of first snowfall that you will be tired of it by the end of it but I am not. Sure the cold was hard and harsh, but I will definitely miss seeing the pristine beauty of landscapes covered in white. And the best thing about it all? The Sun was shining most of the days even if the temperature was -20 C, which makes my next sentence even more, umm, significant. Beauty wise, I would say that these were the scenery that made me think of the word 'pure' too many times to remember. And each time I thought of it, it was with the same intensity of feeling that I did for the first time. I will remember the day when we went out for a walk in the worst temperature ever this season (I think it was -27, I remember the real feel for sure, it was -36 C). It was plain mesmerizing. It was beautiful in  an intimidating kind of a way because it was all cloudy that day along with cold and feets of snow around. That day made me realize yet again how powerful nature is and how glum it can be for real if the nature doesn't give it a way to be cheerful. It made me think of Buffalo in a 'dead land' kind of a way because there was not a living thing to be seen around..humans, animals, trees...all hiding away in their havens! 

But then again, these were the days for which I am now repeating that they made us realize the importance of spring and summer; every person who just survived their first winter of Buffalo would feel that. Every one of us here cannot believe that the winter is actually over. I know many of you reading this would feel that I am saying too much and that it is exaggeration and stuff, but believe me it isn't. I remember saying to a friend in the middle of December that I think I am starting to fall in love with Buffalo to which he responded, 'either something is wrong with you or something is wrong with Buffalo!'. Well to think of it, I think nothing is wrong with either.. I think it is just the chemistry of ours that changed. (I know it sounds a little too dramatic but I really do feel that way that strongly..!).  

This place, it's beautiful in summer, in fall, in winter and in spring of course! Oh the Fall that was! Fall everywhere must be like that I guess but the sheer amount of trees here made it feel better than it would be in a metro city. The crackle of leaves, the wonderful colors, the places I got to visit and the dropping temperatures - it was all heavenly just as the winter was.! 

Here is hoping the Spring will be as happiness-inducing!!

So finally, this is to the city that made me fall in love with it...unexpectedly..and beautifully... Buffalo! :)

Adios!