I’ve lived in Ithaca for seven years now and have resigned myself to being here for another four. Part of me dreads this, but I’ve also learned to really love this little town and all its quirkiness. So much of what I’ve written for The Tattler over the last three years has been bitter, critical, and angry. I thought it would be nice to go out with a rare glimpse of positivity. Here is what I love (or at least like) about Ithaca.
The one thing about Ithaca that I truly can’t complain about is the food. Whether it be bubble tea or gyros, you can find everything your heart desires either downtown or in Collegetown. (The bubble tea options were the primary factor in convincing me to stay in town for college.) I love the way everything is so close by—after failing a calc exam, there’s nothing like walking down to the Commons to get some sushi at Sushi Osaka. I also appreciate the abundance of amazing small businesses: The Botanist, Mama Said Hand Pies, and Sweet Melissa’s. (When I go to Sweet Melissa’s now, I always think about the month after the AP Chem exam, when we would go there as a class with Mr. Tuori.)
I’ve especially grown to appreciate Ithaca’s nature in my last few months of high school. When the weather got warmer, I began spending my free periods wandering around the neighborhoods surrounding IHS, sitting by the falls and reading, and petting outdoor cats. It makes sense that Ithaca is known for its gorges because these are some of the most beautiful parts of our lovely town. During the summer, swimming in the lakes and spending days laying in the sun at Flat Rock or First Dam makes you (almost) completely forget the eight months of snow, rain, and seasonal depression ahead. There are also all the beautiful vineyards and apple orchards that you can visit from spring to fall—when I just moved here, I used to go to these often with my family. And of course, the best part of apple picking is, without a doubt, getting apple cider donuts.
From Porchfest to the constant scent of weed in the air, Ithaca is certainly unlike anywhere else. This town has its own personality that manifests in the original clothes people wear, the art and music all around, and the commonplace political protests and rallies. I love all the murals around town and the excitement that builds in the weeks leading up to Ithaca Fest, Apple Fest, Wizarding Weekend, and more. There’s a certain charm to all the unique characters of Ithaca: the Magic Man, the golden retrievers on the Commons, the woman who is always roller skating with music playing from her speakers. Additionally, as probably one of the safest places in Upstate NY to be openly queer, Ithaca’s thriving gay community and pride is unparalleled, especially compared to the surrounding areas (cough cough Corning and Cortland).
Another thing I really appreciate about Ithaca is the political climate—although there’s definitely room for improvement, this city is one with primarily liberal and leftist views. My friends from back home were often surprised to hear that there are groups of self-proclaimed Marxists in Ithaca. This political spirit is felt throughout our community, best showcased by the fervent manner in which Ithacans have shown up to support our local Starbucks Workers United amidst blatant union-busting. The people of Ithaca are politically progressive and unified, and that contributes to the charm of this city. Ithaca is also home to one of the biggest and most well known labor relations programs in the world, Cornell International Labor Relations (ILR). Many of the protests surrounding the Starbucks union-busting were organized by ILR students, whom I will be among next year. While I move on to the next chapter of my life, I find myself mostly content with my decision to stay here. It’s not perfect, but it is home.