Morgan Creekmore- topos and chora

Topos is the geographical location and physical attributes of place which can be mapped out on paper. Whereas chora is the energy and feeling of the place which can only be experienced. Writers and poets have been fascinated with nature and places set apart because it captures their imaginations. When one trully experiences place for the first time, you are usually compelled to express the experience to someone else but always find it too hard to describe in words. This is why we set place apart in these two categories, it's this energy and experience people have with a place that sets the place apart as sacred. It's also the cultural impressions of the place, but these are created because of experiences people have had with the place. Culturally, we see mountains as being a place to get closer to God, mountains are almost seen as God embodied in Nature. This is because of the physical height of mountains as portrayed in numbers and on mountains but it's more so because of the way mountains make us feel. Generally, the experience of the mountain as a place is one of awe and feeling small in comparison, both of which are feelings which are commonly associated with the power of God. Place has many layers which help to explain the idea of sacred place, topos, chora, culture, etc.