Bravo for Provo!

By Eastern Standards Provo is nothing more than a large town. However, by Utah standards, it is the second largest city in the state (just over 100,000 people). By my standards, it’s a godsend ! Home to Brigham Young University, Provo offers a good variety of food, entertainment and cultural events. Considering the very conservative nature of BYU and Utah County in general, Provo’s diversity is both surprising and encouraging. It’s not Salt Lake City (and certainly not Philadelphia, New York, or even Pittsburgh), but it ain’t bad either (especially since I’m only 5 miles from Provo, but more than 50 from SLC). Among other things, it has a fairly good-sized natural/organic food store (The Good Earth), a fairly well-stocked yarn store, a very yummy Indian restaurant, a large art supply store, thrift store, and music store and, of course, all of the regular mall shops, chain stores and restaurants of other U.S. suburbs. It also has coffee shops (tsk, tsk) and a bar (what’s this world coming to?) for those so inclined. There is also a fair amount of diversity among the people in Provo (again, keep that comment in perspective, this is Utah after all). It’s actually possible to see some variety in skin tone, hair color, and dress (although noticeably few people with very dark skin or very unusual clothing) including the occasional rebel with purple or multi-colored hair, piercings and tattoos! I’ve also passed Lutheran, Church of Christ, Congregationalist, Catholic, Unitarian, and Baptist churches in Provo and am told they are fairly well-attended. BYU has an impressive academic reputation and is said to have an excellent arts program with a top-notch art gallery and quality performing arts program. I guess it goes to show…a university town is a university town. Even the most conservative ones can bring diversity and richness to an otherwise provincial and staid region. I, for one, say “Bravo for Provo!” I’m glad it’s here.