La Selva del Concreto
October 22, 2023
“La Selva del Concreto”—The Concrete Jungle. This was a catchy slogan from a Venezuelan shoe commercial in the 1980s. It stuck with me because, at the time, the jungle didn't naturally bring concrete to mind. But now, as I wander through cities, I understand it completely. The city is indeed a jungle.
It would help if you were prepared to navigate this urban wilderness. Shoes, clothes, backpack, water, snacks, a bank card, and your device are your survival gear. Everyone in the city is for themselves, and you must stay alert. Some innovations have emerged to help us in this urban jungle. Take Uber, for instance: a kind of lifeline. When you find yourself lost or overwhelmed, a quick tap on your phone and a car appears in minutes to rescue you from the chaos.
No wonder city dwellers often dream of escaping this jungle, yearning for the natural beauty of places like Curaçao's pristine bays. But here’s where it gets puzzling: who in their right mind would swap one concrete jungle for another? Imagine running from the cement of city streets, only to land on a cemented beach. It’s baffling.
This comparison reveals a more profound truth about how we perceive progress and development. Concrete may symbolize growth in the city, but does it belong on a beach? Does the very thing we are trying to escape have to follow us to paradise? The urban jungle has its place, but there is no reason to spread its roots into nature.
Those tired of concrete should run toward something more natural, not another layer of artificiality. We need spaces that remind us of what we’re missing in the jungle: the quiet, the rawness, the natural beauty. Let us not make the mistake of turning our escapes into just another part of the same concrete trap.
Miguel Goede
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