The View From Up Here

My city is sort of built into the side of a mountain; the whole thing slopes upward. At the top of the mountain, we have a bright red Pagoda. Tonight, my best friend got together as we usually do. We usually go to a diner or to Applebee's if we're going out, but this evening I drove right through the road to both of them. We drove around the city a bit, which I honestly love doing.
Reading's not huge like Philly, and there's not much to look at, but I love seeing what there IS. The bars lit up, people roaming around... For whatever reason, I like it. Being there calms me. It's a little attempt at being urban, but not 100% there. I love seeing how the people live when it's warm outside, even the old men sitting on front stoops with no shirt on. It's all just life.

Anyway, we ended up going to Applebee's, just a different one from our usual. Got decent food, ordered dessert (because why the hell not, right?) and had a gorgeous waiter. Dandy.

On the way home, instead of taking the highway, I drove back through the city... and then took a turn to go up the mountain. I'd been thinking about it since I picked her up earlier in the evening, but didn't say anything because I try (*try*) to be somewhat passive in activity-deciding. We started up the mountain, and it actually took her a little bit to ask what the heck we were doing. She told me she'd never been to the Pagoda, so I decided now was a fine time to take her.

Hey, we were in the area anyway.

There were other people at the Pagoda, so I felt better about dragging my best friend to the top of a mountain at midnight just to look at some lights. I could tell she was still a little apprehensive, but then we went up to the edge of the parking lot and saw the view. All apprehension disappeared and it was amazing. Looking down on the city and seeing all the lights brought on a feeling of awe, almost. Staring at it took me into a sort of transcendence that I don't usually feel. It was incredibly beautiful, peaceful. I'd been up there once before, but I didn't remember feeling so awestruck. It was truly satisfying to see, and I still can't get over it a few hours later.
My advice? If you live in such an area where a look out like this is possible, GO. Go right now, while it's dark outside. I bet you won't look at your town the same way either.

Here's some pictures taken with my friend's blackberry. They're not great, but you get the gist.