The Revival of the Modern Jungle

Week 4 Observations:

I decided to enter the Modern Jungle from the entrance at the Honey Bear Bookstore because the last two weeks I came in from the feeding hole, immediately observing those eating and less of those socializing. Today the weather is much warmer than last week’s dreary storm and the sun is shining bright through all the windows, creating an awakening and exciting mood as people hustle about the walkways and down towards the feeding hole. It is a Wednesday afternoon (about 12:00PM) and the jungle is extremely active, as more and more people are consistently showing up and ordering food, socializing, and/or shopping. There is a lot of noise coming from all directions once I reach the bookstore’s exit into the walkway. People are laughing and talking as they bustle past me, especially teenagers who fumble out of stores in large groups. So far, all the people seem to be happy and inattentive or indifferent to what is happening around them. They seem to be in their own little select groups, ignoring unfamiliar faces.

Walking down the hall towards the feeding hole, I notice many older people than I have the last two weeks. They all look around a similar age of 60-70 years old and are usually together as couples (a man and a woman). However, I have seen a few older women walking alone, but they still seem to be enthusiastic about their outing. I keep walking, past the feeding hole and see a familiar face; the older lady who complimented me from my first week of observations. She is back with a fanny pack around her waist, a bright smile on her face, and jump in her step. She smiles at me and waves, hunching her shoulders in doing so as she passes me and I do the same.

A few women of similar age (60-70 years old) are sitting on a bench outside of Bungalow (a clothing store), gossiping about people they all must know or have common. I overhear one say she has a certain picture of someone on her phone as she points to her purse. While digging through her little bag, the others do the same and all three pull out their cellphones, specifically smartphones. This could reflect the vast advancement of technology, but what surprised me is how it has become so popular it has spread through many older generations in America's culture who may be less “tech-savvy”. The longer I overhear them as they sit, gossip, and struggle with their devices, the more I am able to recognize their relationship as more than just friends, but also colleagues who has known and worked together for at least a decade.

Mostly, these groups of older women similar to the one mentioned above seem to be spirited, joyful, and grateful of each other’s company. In many ways they resemble the groups of teenage girls who I have seen socializing here the few past weeks, except these women have more respect and social manners for those around them whom they do not know which I presume comes from age and experience. Older couples seem more secluded from the crowds around them as they are much quitter and keep to themselves. Another thing I have noticed is single, older guys do not come alone. I have only seen them with another woman or in a group of men who are all with other women.

As I am about to leave towards the exit, I notice the Modern Jungle is still bustling with chaos and commotion and there are still several older people among teenagers and young adults.