A walk around Some where new
What does it mean to belong?
Everyone always says that ‘home is where the heart is,’ but perhaps the saying goes even deeper than that. What is home to you? Is home your family, the ones who nurtured and raised you? Or is home maybe your friends, the ones you bonded with by choice rather than blood? Maybe home, to you, is just the feeling of safety when surrounded by those you love and trust. Home could be the house you grew up in. It could be something physical or something completely intangible. Home is different to every individual, and yet the meaning isn’t any less special.
So what does it mean to belong? To feel at home? I believe that to belong is to feel welcomed, to feel like I’m in the safety of my own home no matter how far away I may be. To belong is to feel that you are not misplaced where you stand, that you are not an outsider.
No matter where you may be from, if you want to feel the welcomeness of home away from home, Adamson Square in Carrollton, GA is a great place to begin.
One of the most notable aspects of Adamson Square is its pedestrian-friendly setup. While there are multiple parking spots within the square itself, the entirety of the square–and the surrounding area–is situated with crosswalks and large sidewalks that offer plenty of room to those traveling on foot. If you do choose to take a walk around Adamson Square, you’ll be pleased to find that there is a wide variety of buildings and businesses for you to explore. From restaurants to shops and parks, Adamson Square hosts many local businesses and activities.
However, perhaps even more intriguing than the many locations littered throughout the square in the inexplicably welcoming feeling. When I visited Adamson Square and parked my car to walk around, I couldn’t help but feel like I was walking around my own hometown. I don’t mean this in the way of ‘they looked just alike,’ but rather to say I felt at home here. I didn’t feel like an outsider here. Every business I walked into, the employees greeted me with a friendly expression. Some of them even talked to me, asking me casual questions like where I was from, how I was doing. Outside, walking alongside me were families having a nice day out with their kids and friends that’d decided to hang out. We may not have been in the same groups, but we were exploring together all the same.
It’s a city that pulls you into its vast and beautiful history, letting you explore and learn everything about it. The secrets this city holds are a joy to learn about, and even better to explore for yourself. If history is your thing, there’s a vast history to learn, both with the square itself and the stores within it. Yet despite its age and lack of modernity, it is impossible to claim this place is antiquated. You don’t feel like you’re walking through a museum with dusty artifacts; you feel like you’re walking through a living history preserved with care by loving inhabitants. There is a tangible care permeated through every inch of the air, the energy of a people with a history they want to preserve and share.
It was a rainy day when I visited Adamson Square. The sky was gray with clouds blocking out the sun, but I found that this somehow matched the feeling of the square itself. It was energetic, but it was a calm energy. Lively but not overbearing. While there are certain areas more upbeat than others, such as the pub, the park or the stage where bands come and go, the main area did not boast a high-energy environment. Rather, there were quiet bookstores and vinyl shops playing old school jazz. Words don’t quite do it justice, but Adamson Square truly does capture both serenity and energy. I believe the answer lies within the everyday pedestrians: walking despite the threat of rain, just enjoying a day in their lovely town.
Adamson Square was truly an incredibly interesting place. Despite the fact that I’d never been to this place before, it was such a lovely section of the city that was full of life. Perhaps the most surprising thing is, even after spending my entire day here, Adamson Square still had more to offer. I hope the opportunity to return arises sooner rather than later. If you ever find yourself feeling homesick near Carrollton, GA, make a stop. You won’t regret it.
