Much has changed since I last posted. I have exchanged the rolling hills of the heart of Kentucky for the suburban sprawl and soybean patches of Madison, Alabama. I have gone from being a full-time student to the associate pastor at CrossWinds Church. I have left familiar roles, friendships, and surroundings for the new, the next step in the journey. What deep, profound insights have I ascertained from being here for almost three months?
Well... I'll come down from the mountaintop and bring you these five things that I've noticed about the Huntsville area.
- Mexican restaurants abound. People argue about which one is the best. Some say Casa Blanca, others say Rosie's. Folks swear by Phil Sandoval's, while others muster up argument and counterargument for Las Trojas. There's a Burritos-To-Go on 72, and you might even have the good fortune of spotting a taco truck. Want to know the kind of restaurant my senior pastors took me to when I first visited Huntsville? Yep.
- Everyone loves karate. Or at least that's the impression I get, because there are literally a bajillion martial arts studios around here. Want pure, Okinawan Karate? You got it. Want Tae Kwon Do, the Korean classic? Sign right up. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu? Check. If you can't find it here, it probably doesn't exist. I'm the peace-loving kind of Christian, but if I weren't, the plethora of dojos solely dedicated to making people better fighters would make me want to think twice about starting a brawl with the people of Hunts-vegas.
- People like space. In fact, they like it so much that Huntsville is known as Rocket City. We have the U. S. Space and Rocket Center, which documents the history of America's relationship with space and showcases some of NASA's latest developments. Not to mention kids can go to Space Camp there! There's a planetarium on top of Monte Sano Mountain, and you never know when you'll bump into a rocket scientist/engineer.
- People from all over the nation live here. Just at my church, people hail from California, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, New York, and even the bustling metropolis of Woodland, AL! Talk about being multi-cultural. Globalization also has left an imprint on Huntsville, and it seems to be particularly Indian in flavor. There are signs for the services of Hindu priests, and the Hindu Cultural Center of North Alabama is located here.
- There is a good outdoors culture. You have the option to kayak down the Flint River or spend some quality time in Monte Sano State Park. Madison has several greenways built around the area, where you are certain to find joggers and dogs galore. There are clubs for running, hiking, and biking. You'll find people who have hiked on the Appalachian Trail, done an Iron Man, or are training for their next marathon. These are the kind of folks who will make you feel extra guilty about eating that tub of ice cream. Sinner.
Huntsville sure is an interesting area, and I'm certain that I've neglected to report some of its idiosyncrasies. I'm grateful that God has me in this place at this time, and that I've been blessed with such a wonderful church family in CrossWinds UMC. Talk about people who go above and beyond in hospitality! I've been surprised and humbled by the warm welcome I've received, and am looking forward to what God has in store for us in the future.
What do you think about my top five? Do you agree? Disagree? What did I miss that is definitely a Huntsville thing?
