Cities of the outside world. “The boundary stones are the oldest federal monuments.” Boundary Stones of the District of Columbia
~~~
In my childhood, getting around meant walking and public transportation. I spent zero time waiting around for an adult to drive me somewhere. School, ballet class, orthodontist appointment, a friend on the other side of the city. I was expected to get myself there and back.
Driving was something that adults did, like drinking coffee, I figured I’d pick it up eventually, like drinking coffee.
Afterword
Current online class, UC Graham: From Istanbul to Cairo: The City in the Historical Novels of the Middle East. Was on hiatus, hence generalized city instead of Cairo or Istanbul.
Previous Post. [Knowing the Rules, Growing Up City]
Onwards!
Katherine
Virtual Brush Box 
That’s impressive, but a little sad, too. I walked most places as a child, but without public transportation—well, it was there but several miles away—I was driven to the dentist and doctor. Needed orthodontist but didn’t get that, no ballet, briefly had riding lessons as a teenager.
Growing up, there were very few places close enough to walk/bike to. Mostly, I had to wait for sometimes to drive me.
We weren’t allowed coffee as children, my brother and I. Coca Cola was a treat which we seldom were offered and then only at midday. Caffeine was a big no-no.
Did you think it was sad to get to places “all by yourself”?
Sorry. The comment froze before I finished.
Did you ever start drinking coffee?
Jane
Not sad, no. At the time, it seemed normal. No one got around by car. Now, I look at the kids getting hauled from hither to thither and am glad that is not me.
Internet says that Not I is grammatically correct but that Not me is more common in everyday, or casual speech.