Leamington Spa, Day 173

It is the beginning of May (ummm...MAY?!?!)

Suddenly my departure date has appeared along the horizon of my mind and doesn't seem so far away. The thought of coming home is really nerve racking. Though I'm aware that people have changed, I'm still hoping that everything can go back to how it was before I left. And though this sounds dramatic, I'm hoping that I haven't been forgotten, that I will be able to fit back into my friends lives with ease.

This weekend Samantha and I went to visit my aunt Louise and cousin Poppy in Leamington Spa, a town a couple hours away from London. I feel fortunate to have been able to travel to many different parts of England during my time here. I love how each town and village I have visited has been different in its own way.


Leamington Spa reminded me of a bigger version of the fictional town Stars Hollow (from the show The Gilmor Girls). We seemed to be surrounded by people who had been plucked out of a catalogue and everything was just so peachy. We passed this amazing sweet shop that all the small children hung outside of:


Beside it was milkshake place and I actually laughed (rather rudely) as this young couple strolled into it hand in hand. It just seemed like such a stereotypical-small town-place to go for a date.

We walked around the local park (I don't know if the photos do it justice but it really was quite stunning):


I've noticed that towns and villages in England make a lot of effort in preserving their own history and originality. In many cases, all the stores are housed in original buildings and I think this is what gives each town a distinct vibe.


I'd definitely like to move to Leamington Spa...I seem to say that about every single place I visit, I know.

My friend Pona from Canada arrives TOMORROW. And Greece is in eight days! AH.