Friday, December 9, 2011

Toasty Teatime in Kidderminster


I am writing from a bed that feels like a giant pillow. I am propped up by two giant pillows. The carpet in this room feels like I’m walking on pillows. You’re not in hostelland anymore. Welcome to Kidderminster, Worcestershire which is right outside of Birmingham, in the Midlands of England. The Midlands should be called the Farmlands. While driving here in a wrong-side car on the wrong side of the road (left turn on red?), we passed a sign that had no words, just a picture of a cow. After a week of city-hopping, we made it to our final destination: a true British home in a regular people town.

Upon settling in, we found ourselves enjoying tea and toast in the ‘conservatory,’ a glass room with a heated tile floor and plush but almost too clean white sofas and a collection of classic music and Simon and Garfunkel. As we went to bed, I began to think about how nice life might be, living in the English countryside, in a lovely home, perhaps running it as a bed and breakfast. I would probably enjoy that for a month or two and then miss the more diverse ways of cities like sushi and protests and public transportation. Right now though, two nights is absolutely not long enough.

Janet, the matron of this fine household and a good friend of Elizabeth’s mother, has a keen eye for interior decorating or hired a great designer – every inch of the house has some floral wallpaper or a little clock with a bell or some wicker chair or a scenic painting. I can’t even see Kate and we’re sharing a bed – it’s that huge. Our room has a sink in it – so much more logical for teeth-brushing and face-washing and indoor water fights. Just kidding on one of those, you decide which. Seriously, when have you ever seen floral wallpaper that isn’t tacky? Janet wins.

I feel like the Queen’s posh-looking zen has hit me. When I think of Britain now, I with think of this feeling: post-toast/tea and total relaxation.

No comments:

Post a Comment