Worlds Colide

Several weeks ago we read a book by Shorto that outlined the history of New York city and Manhattan’s place at the financial center of the world. This fast paced, urban world represents a stark contrast to the picturesque, seemingly timeless, world of Garrison. Little Chapel on the River beautifully illustrates the intersection between these two very different worlds that exist along the Hudson River. Jim Guinan compares the area around Garrison to his homeland of Ireland. In chapter 8, Jim discusses the mountains and river in describing Garrison’s natural beauty. Jim is not alone in these kind of descriptions. In fact, it is impossible to read this book and not get a sense for the profound effect that Garrison’s natural landscape has on its inhabitants. The author makes a point of providing a contrasting description in the first few chapters when she describes New York City; her "anonymous apartment building", the glass towers of the world trade center. What I found to be most fascinating about Guinan’s pub is that it provides an intersection of these two worlds.
Bounds spends many chapters discussing the lives of Guinan’s "regulars". She tells us about Fitz, the ex-federal marshal who won a silver star for his time in Vietnam. She introduces us to Dan, the liberal attorney who overcame a broken home to become a successful aviation lawyer. There are others too, Old Mike, the Preusser brothers, Margaret Guinan, John Guinan, Mary Ellen and Jane. These individuals make up the fabric of Guinan’s close knit community. In this world there are no bar tabs, no calculators and the bartender knows each costumers preferred beer. In the mornings, there is a large group of regular commuters, who come in to pick up their reserved newspapers and a cup of coffee. It is here that two very different worlds collide. These commuters come to Guinan’s to start their days before boarding the train into the anonymous world of Manhattan. Because of Guinan’s location next to the train station, these commuters provide valuable cash flow for the general store. Guinan’s also provides an invaluable service to these commuters.
In chapter 10, Bounds makes it clear that it is not really in the best interest of the store to open at 5 AM for the few commuters on the 5:09 train. When she asks John about the practicality of opening so early he responds with, "I guess I don’t want to be the one to those guys on the 5:09 train that they’re gonna be standing out in the dark without a cup of coffee or a newspaper"(130). This example illustrates the collision that I have been talking about. John is applying the personal ideology of Garrison. For him, running a store is more about the customers needs then economic efficiency. However, these customer’s needs only exist because they have to commute into a bustling work place that is centered on economic efficiency. In this way the hour long commute from Garrison to Manhattan covers more then just distance. This commute transports people from one completely different world into another and Guinan’s is right on the way.