Tomorrow morning I return to the United States. I'm at that stage right now where there's nothing left to pack, I've even taken down my walls. There's nothing left to do but wait. As I tend to do when I'm bored, I've occupied my time with making lists. Lists of things to pack when I wake up, lists of things to do once I get home, lists of ideas for blog posts, lists of lists. I suppose it's psychologically related to why I like containers and packing; it makes things ordered in a sense. Plus, there are so many different ways to classify things! I made a list of all the things I'm going to miss about Bristol aside from the people. The fact that I'll miss the friends I've made here goes without saying. So, without further adieu:
heated floor- When I read the description of where I'd be staying, it said the floors were heated. I thought to myself, “Well, I should hope so.” What I didn't understand was that the literal floor was what was warmed. It circulates heat perfectly and gives you a toast surface to step onto in the cold, winter morning.
“love”- I'm going to miss this as a casual term of endearment.
Long walks- Like where I grew up (though not at all like where I've been going to school) there is a huge walking culture. People walk everywhere. Men and women alike carry heavy-duty walking sticks. Normally, I 'm the kind of person who can just curl up and stay in-doors all day. I think I've done that once in the five months I've been here. I find myself eager to get out and walk around the city, sometimes without purpose, sometimes creating one as I go. I love it.
Well dressed men- In general, guys here tend to understand that if women are putting in the effort to look nice, so should they. Thank you, gentlemen.
The view- The English take their gardens seriously and it shows. My window overlooks a sprawling community garden that captures the perfect balance between patterns of unkept, wild growth and controlled weeding and pruning. It's courtyarded (is that a word?) by five-floor walk-ups, which are actually six floors as in the UK the bottom floor is known as the ground floor and what we North Americans call the “second” floor, here is called the “first”. Through my other window I can see a busy street and an old church that still has the top points of its towers
missing from the blitz. It's great to watch the daily dramas that take place along this road.
Sainsbury's- Three words: store brand ROCKS.
Cider- Bristol has some amazing local brews and everyone drinks it. It's not frowned upon or snickered at.
Tea- Rather, access to good tea. I guess I'll be fine with Twinings, but it's not the same as good ole' cheap Tetle's. Also, I'll miss the tea drinking culture; I like the way everyone just sort of chills out around four. It's not quite as intense as siesta, but it works really well.
Weather- This one surprised me, too. Granted, it rained about once each day but I enjoy the way it always kept you on your toes. I got good at reading the weather and listening to it and am was usually able to estimating when it would rain. The weather also goes well with tea, which was the previous item on this list.
Something tells me I'll be back at Bristol at some point, if not for the people then for all these things.
