Balcony Scenes

Summary

The author finds solace in the urban landscape from their balcony after a long workweek, observing the city transform from day to night.

Abstract

The article describes a personal ritual of unwinding on a Friday evening by enjoying a cup of hot chocolate on the balcony while taking in the city view. The author appreciates the dynamic beauty of the cityscape, with its towering buildings and bustling activity, finding it both soothing and imaginatively stimulating. As the sun sets, the sky paints a canvas of primary colors that eventually gives way to the night sky, filled with stars and a sense of peace. The narrative concludes with the author embracing the quiet of the night as the city's vibrant life slowly fades into silence.

Opinions

The author perceives the city's daytime beauty as soothing and imaginative, contrary to what others might think.
There is an anthropomorphic portrayal of buildings, with taller ones looking down on shorter ones, reflecting a hierarchy and the envy of the smaller buildings.
The city's evening transformation, from the setting sun to the emergence of stars, is described with aesthetic appreciation.
The author expresses a sense of guilt for not finishing their hot chocolate, suggesting a personal connection to the ritual.
The night is personified as taking charge and bringing a peaceful mood, leaving behind the day's trivialities.
The city's nightlife is depicted as a gradual shutdown, with the author observing until all sounds cease, indicating a preference for the tranquility of the late night hours.

Winding down after a long day at work has never been so soothing.

After a very long week at work, on a Friday evening, when most of the day is complete I am extremely exhausted and decide to make a frothy cup of hot chocolate with a mushy marshmallow and to walk up to my bedroom balcony for some time to relax. There aren’t many trees covering my view and I can stare at the beautiful scenery.

Some might think I’m crazy for finding a city in the day time beautiful but the city holds an exciting everyday life that I find very soothing and it stimulates my imagination. The tall buildings proudly look down at the smaller ones. They snigger because the small buildings are unable to view the world from their position. The intimidated buildings stand tall. They try to be strong but deep inside they wish they were able to see the view too. Instead, they make excuses: “The wind up there is too much for me,” they gloomily state, “it’s much better down here.” The cars buzz past the buildings unaware of their insignificant squabbles. The puffing clouds of smoke fill the air from the distant yet visible high-way.

As the sun starts to set the sky is filled with the primary colors of an artist’s color wheel. The shades of red, yellow, and blue blanket the clouds and it is not long before this very blanket will turn to a dusky blue as the sun disappears off the earth’s surface. What once were clouds have turned to stars. A peaceful mood has taken charge. The earlier squabbles are left unnoticed. They all have something to see. The milky way isn’t as visible as it is in the open countryside due to the carpet of flames that flow over the buildings. The cars have slowly disappeared into their rightful homes. Every so often one or two cars pass by to occupy the lonely and hardworking robots. Their lights changing every second minute makes them unique to all the other lights.

Soon the bitter cold of the night hits me. I start to shiver. My source of warmth coming from my hot chocolate is no longer there. I look down at the lukewarm mixture that looks like an unappetizing layer of melted marshmallows. I slowly stand up. The guilt of not drinking my hot chocolate rising inside of me. I unwillingly start to leave my source of comfort and enter my bedroom. I make an effort not to draw the curtains so I can watch the night-life slowly shut down. Until the carpet of flames are extinguished and not even the slightest of sounds are heard. Everything is silent.