"We shall not cease from exploration and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started... and know the place for the first time." -- T.S. Eliot
Growing up outside of Kansas City, I never really spent time exploring what the metropolitan area had to offer. Surrounded by the inherent self-concentration of adolescence, I was content on remaining contained to my suburban life. After venturing off to the east coast for over seven years, I had occasion to return on short visits, but still never really discovered the heart and soul of the City. Recently I've moved back to the Kansas City area and I am finding myself constantly wondering what defines this City. In my experience, every city has a certain character, a certain culture, a certain romance. People often define themselves by their city. Bostonians, New Yorkers and Portlanders all carry certain tangible characteristics. While applied individually, these characteristics are merely stereotypes; but when applied in a collective, a certain truth about their respective cities emerges. What then, is a Kansas Citian? ...
