Bentonville

It was a work visit that took me to Bentonville, Arkansas. Prior to my visit, people had told horror stories about the place. Stories included dearth of vegetarian food, warehouse converted into offices and there is no life in the town. Five minutes after landing, i knew that i am going to like the place. You ask why? Because of all the open space around us. I could see fields, cows, and houses with fences that covered land as big as football fields. Most of the time at BV was spent in meetings and yes, those meeting did happen in offices which had no windows (they could have been warehouses as well). But everything else was quite good. The first thing that stood out at BV was the fall leaves on trees. Those gorgeous reddish-orange-yellow shining leaves act as though they inhale tension and exhale freshness. It was a delight to see them everywhere and how can a place be depressing when its trees have such kind of leaves.

From BentonvilleTrip

On a casual stroll one morning, just few meters away from my hotel, i came across some of these homes which looked like the image below. It was quiet, no traffic, lots of empty spaces and such a relaxed place to live in. There in front of me was the countryside, the scenery of The Straight Story which i had admired and desired so much.

From BentonvilleTrip

On the last day, we briefly visited Crystal Bridges - the contemporary art museum there. Like a gateway to a different world, it hides the Ozark forest in its backyard and inside hides art pieces chosen diligently and houses one of the most brilliant art works of our time. There are even some 3 miles of hike trails around it but we didn't do anything but just to make a note of things to do the next time.
Bentonville may not be a very happening town, there may not be many pubs or hangout places or there may not be much diversity in employment opportunities. But it offers something that, i guess, only those who have grown up in small towns can comprehend. It offers free space, nature, a DIY experience that is missing and finally a slow pace of life that we all yearn for.

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