You know how sometimes a place changes so much, it's like it's gotten a whole new personality? That's Austin for you. We've been living here for almost 20 years, but over the last 5 years, we've been escaping to Santa Fe for weeks at a time. And let me tell you, the conversations I overhear? It's like Santa Fe is channeling old Austin, while Austin... well, it's gone full Silicon Valley.
Picture this: I'm strolling through Santa Fe's winding streets, breathing in the scent of piñon and roasting chiles. I pass a group of folks, and suddenly I hear:
"...so we're thinking of starting a community garden. You know, get back to our roots."
It hits me: This is exactly the kind of thing you used to hear in Austin, back when it was all about keeping it weird and building community. But now? I'm back home in Austin, weaving through a crowd on South Congress. The air's thick with the smell of food trucks and ambition. A couple walks by, and I catch:
"I wanted to give back, to do something big, to make a difference. You know, like Elon."
Whoa. When did my quirky, laid-back Austin start sounding like a scene from "Silicon Valley" (you know, that HBO show)?
In Santa Fe, conversations have this chill, creative vibe that feels like stepping back in time to when Austin was all about art, music, and taking it easy. People talk about the incredible red & green chilis, sustainable living, and the best spot to watch the sunset. There's a slower pace, a sense that everyone's on some kind of personal journey – just like Austin used to be.
But Austin now? It's all hustle and tech talk. You'll overhear debates about cryptocurrency, discussions about the latest AI sensation, and endless chatter about pivots & exits. It's like the whole city got bitten by the Silicon Valley bug.
Now, I'm not saying one is better than the other. It's more like... imagine you're flipping through old home movies. Santa Fe is that footage of Austin from 20 years ago – a little grainy, but full of character. Today's Austin? It's like watching a sleek tech online ad.
The funny thing is, both cities think they're super unique and creative. And they are! Just in completely different ways. Santa Fe's creativity (and old Austin's) comes from a place of tradition and community. New Austin's springs from innovation and a "disrupt everything" attitude.
Sometimes I wonder: What would happen if old Austin could talk to new Austin? Would it remind us to slow down and enjoy the music? Would new Austin inspire Santa Fe to launch a meditation app?
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