Today I went to Auntie Anne’s
pretzels to revisit my lower-school visit to the pretzel shop. I remember
loving this trip when I was younger; we got to go “behind the scenes,” learning
how pretzels are made, making some ourselves, and seeing overall how everything
works. I recall being enthralled by everything around me during my younger
visit. However, this time around it was a little different. While it was
interesting seeing everything behind the scenes, I think my memory from when I
was younger glorified the situation. I think my many years of working behind a
counter at both a snack bar and a ice cream stand, took away some of the
excitement because I have personally experienced multiple summers very similar
to working at Auntie Anne’s. It was also funny because I remember thinking that
the employees were magical creating such beautiful tasting and looking treats.
Not to say the current employees do not have pretzel making skills, but it is
very different as the employees are now my age. I would not call my visit a disappoint, but
rather eye-opening as to just how much perspective changes over time. While
this seems obvious, it still is interesting to think about.
I feel your pain.
ReplyDeleteI feel like losing that sense of amazement is sort of a really crushing part of growing up, and I feel your pain. After working at Tommy's, I know have trouble even being enthused enough to order a milkshake, not to mention watch the barista make it. I'm sorry to hear that you weren't as charmed at this age, and I'd be curious to know if you have the same sensation about anything else? I know that sometimes I now fail to see the excitement in going to the movie theatre, or driving over a long bridge-- things that at one time seemed like an adventure that I'd rarely get to indulge in. Since your project is sort of about re-indulging in once-adventures with a new, young adult perspective, I'd be really interested to know whether or not you've been feeling this sense of loss often. That would be one danger I, at least, would fear in revisiting my glorified childhood. I know there's some value to truth, but are you ever afraid you'll taint some possibly exaggeratedly magical memories? I only ask this because I know that being so immersed in the French language has sort of stripped some romance from the language for me, and possibly some magic from the idea of being bilingual.