The pace of the journey has largely changed. Instead of going to a city and seeing some of the tourist destinations, I am now exclusively concerned with determining whether it’s a good fit for me to live in. Since I already travel with a larger focus on cultural exchange and everyday life, the difference is sort of elusive. Presumably, I no longer have any incentive to see the sights. But then what am I to do with my time? Wouldn’t I visit the attractions anyway, if I had recently moved to a new city?
Just finished my first evaluation in Norwich, England (pronounced “No Rich”). This is the smallest city on my list of possible places to relocate to, after I eliminated Exeter earlier. Sadly, it proved to be far too small to find sustainable work. From now on, cities need to have a population of 400,000 to be considered for residence. Norwich seems to be mostly a student city, but I might be getting that impression because I stayed with a bunch of art students or because it was reading week and most students did not have class. Though I will not be settling there, I will never forget those 4 nights
In Norwich, I did spend a lot of time doing normal errands, like getting a mobile phone, exchanging my Euros for Pounds at my bank, working, and reading at the inspiring library. Besides walking around town and going to the castle, I spent the rest of the time hanging out with 1-4 of my hosts. This was by far the best CouchSurfing experience I have ever had. Firstly, I had never had so many hosts before. My largest previous host was the family of three in Helsinki. Now I had 4 hosts: 6 people live in the house, but two were out-of-town during my stay. Then, in addition to meeting all these art students and musicians, they brought along all their friends, by far the most generous gesture a host can make. It started with inviting someone’s girlfriend and her friends for a roast, adding 4 more people. Then when we eventually went over to that apartment, where I met another 7 Norwich University students. Finally, when I met up with my hosts at school or saw them around town, I ended up meeting another 5-9 people, depending on how you look at it. All said, my hosts introduced me to 20-24 different people living in Norwich, making it an extremely successful cultural exchange. Everyone was very warm, welcoming me in with the benefit of the doubt. As a result, I have made some really strong connections and already have plans to see a few of my hosts again soon, though outside of Norwich.
Thanks for everything guys: the roast, beans and toast, yorkshire pudding, tea, and, of course, the bed.
