While
this answer does get some smirks or visible facial reactions, most
want to know more about where I live. The majority of people
associate America with L.A. or New York City and seem almost
surprised when I begin telling them about the Great Plains (Pic above is actually England). Like I've
already mentioned, Iowa is as good as a foreign planet to most
(Americans included), and after my description of our farms and
fields I have to spend another good amount of time explaining how
where I live, specifically, is more of a city... but not a big city.
This whole process ends up confusing both of us and
the conversation is soon dead. After so many of these conversations,
no matter how I put it, I began to realize that I was backpedaling
away from being classified. I didn't want to be seen as a rural
cowgirl or an elite city princess, and if the poor fool talked to me
long enough, I would even begin to backpedal away from identifying
with Iowa. I have always known that my travels have prevented me from
latching on to a physical place as my permanent home. But even then I
believed that my figurative home, the home of my memories and where
my heart was, was in Iowa.
Now,
being here, I am unsure if I can ever settle on one place as my home,
let alone decide between the country side or the city. The thing is,
home is where the heart is, and my heart is absolutely
everywhere! It is in
me and, specifically, in my
experiences. It is with my
family and friends. It is in everything I do and everywhere I go
because I am the kind of person who puts passion into everything she
does and encounters. This is why, when my friends begged me to decide
if I was a city girl or a country girl all
those years ago, I couldn't
answer them; because I am both. This is why I adore traveling and
seek out new experiences and why I will never be a rich person. :)
This is why I actively make new friends and, undoubtedly, end up
being a bit too trusting at times.(Here come the pictures!!!)
And
all of this self-enlightened
mush was to introduce the
topic of my post and explain to you why I loved
these past 5 days that I've spent in Suffolk!
I give all of my love and
thanks to my relatives who kept me and FED me!!! Speaking
of food:
Besides
the glorious food, Suffolk is one of the most beautiful places I have
ever seen. Tucked away along the coast of England, it is home to some
stunning old buildings and castle-like churches, one of the largest
docks in England, classic farmland with rolling green hills, and a
beautifully quaint little village called Kirton. My
hosts so selflessly put up with me for the time that I was there and
took me to see everything there was to see all the while sharing
cool facts with me about the area and those who live(d) there. One of
my favorite fun facts is that there is a man who lives on an old WWII
sea fort that is literally two pillars and a platform. He took it
over after the war and claimed it as his own principality called
Sealand (I cannot make this stuff up!). He even has his own postage
stamps, and you can see the outline of the place from the shore my
hosts showed
me (seriously look this dude up: http://www.sealandgov.org/).(Pic from website)
On top of that, the area is beautiful and historic. Driving around I couldn't help but think of the old WWII movies I had seen of the French and English country sides (I know, my American is showing) and how I was walking among some intense history! War forts over looked the docks and bunkers were still obvious in some areas. I even attended the local church service which had parts of the church dating back to the 13th century! I was in awe by it all! Modern families who live in this area though are not unlike any other family. Large (compared to London) houses with beautiful decorations, which reminds me...
England
Fact Number Thirteen: All of the houses have names. Well, not all of
them. But most of them that I saw were named. They were given names
when they were built and a little placard was placed on the front to
identify it. My favorite was named Narnia. :D (pic shown)
I
adored my time in the country side! I could breathe without the
pollution of London and got some quality time with family. Greens
were greener and, though it rained most of the time, being outside
was more enjoyable. I slept better than I have in a while and loved
walking along the footpaths that ran through the open fields.
I enjoyed playing with the dog (a black lab rottweiler mix (pic)) and my
relative's two grand kids! I even had time (in between my busy
schedule of relaxing) to go on one of the most beautiful runs I've
ever been on around Kirton (Picture of one of the paths I found. I really did cherish my time in the
country. Words cannot do it
justice, it's an experience everyone must reward themselves with!
That being said, I'm back into London life, missing sleepy Suffolk, but enjoying my fast-paced city living as well. Next chance I get to travel will probably be Christmas! Cannot wait!!! Going to Germany with a friend and it's going to be epic!!! I'm afraid this gypsy spirit will never rest! :D
P.S. Much cooler versions of several of these pictures are on my Instagram acct. if you're interested.
No comments:
Post a Comment