Venetia P

Fish & Chips with hosts, Robert & Elena in Littlehampton, England. We spent the day exploring for AirTV. Stopped at a traditional pub, checked out Arundel castle & more :)

Even though this city was built around tourism, the motives are as hidden as the Roman bath’s three layers below the street’s surface. Dragging our suitcases along over the cobblestone was no easy feat, however, beautiful cream stone jutting at every corner preoccupied us.  The streets hinted at Italy, and in the distance we could see a bridge similar to that only found in Milan – hence the connection. Shops, shops everywhere, but these did not house the standard skirts and shoes that we were bored with, but were vibrant with ruffles, stripes, and bursting with color. One window caught my eye in particular – singer sewing machines from bottom to top of every color and year. I closed my eyes and wished that I could be transported back 100 years.

What about Bath made me fall in love with it? It’s a college town, usually something that doesn’t appeal to me, so it wasn’t that. How was it different? I suppose the feeling is a lot like love itself. You don’t know why you fall in love with something, you simply do. There were certainly things that made it easy though.

Within minutes of arriving we viewed the beautiful cathedral in the center of town. Engraved with angels climbing ladders up to the heavens, I was perplexed at why an angel with wings would need to climb? It must be an explanation to exactly how high heaven must be. The city begs for you to lose yourself in it, and as dusk sets, so does a magical glaze along the narrow streets. The best part of Bath is when the shops close, people go to sleep, and it is just you, your walking shoes, and a faint mist rising from the river.

The street lamps have not changed for one hundred years. Walking down one of the most beautiful streets in Bath (said our host) I slowed my pace. Women back then did not walk so quickly, but more gracefully. In my rugged brown boots I was a far cry from classy, but I could still imagine it to be so. Nothing can explain how mysterious life becomes in moments surrounded by antique lights. I was alone, but it would have been the perfect place for a stolen kiss.

After my midnight stroll I headed to a fish and chips shop, but just got the chips. As I continued my walk, the salt and grease soaked through the paper and I savored the extra crispy ones. It made me feel like I was the college student again, except this time I wasn’t tipsy on beer nor was I surrounded my friends. This was the best city to be lonely in…and yes, it was a feeling of loneliness only because you wanted to share its’ secret’s with the rest of the world.

I walked six hours total yesterday and woke up with my soles throbbing. It was just a pleasant reminder of the trekking that took me through vibrant green fields and dusty dirt roads. Sitting on the train I now wish to figure out what in my life I can do to live in a small English town at some point in my life. I would be my happiest with a small plot of land, a crisp air chilling my nose, and a big cozy blanket to wrap myself in.

Just got to the lovely city of Bath. Just took a quick stroll before the meetup with the Airbnb community tonight. Loving the quaint streets, the Georgian architecture, and of course, the possibility of a spa night coming my way if I manage to get all my work & filming done :)

Whilst in London I am going around to different host’s houses and capturing their Airbnb “stories”. I have found that more than most things in life, I love this. I’m not sure if it is the fact that I just love people in general, or if it is how every person I meet teaches me something new. 

The director always teases me because I inevitably always get to the person’s love story (if they are a couple). More than just stories themselves, I like to find out how these people meet, how long they have been together, and lot’s of other fun details. In a way, I like to build up a knowledge of relationships around the world and how they can differ, but that ultimately they are the same. They always make me giggle like a school girl and I think, “Okay, Venetia, you hopeless romantic, grow up”. But then I think, “Why?” For most of us only want to figure out love anyways.

This is Ed & Valia. They met in Seattle. She is from Lithuania & he is from Mexico. Together, 8 years - and guess what they did? They picked up their belongings and sold them, quit their jobs, said goodbye to friends and headed to Barcelona. They realized that they wanted to have kids, but before “all of that” they wanted to travel to 50 different countries. We met them when they were in London - and they were paying their rent fully on airbnb while saving up all additional income for more travels around the world.

It inspired me to perhaps do the same. Granted, I am traveling everywhere right now and feel so very blessed, but I loved that they took a leap of faith together. So what is this post about? 

Love meaning that sometimes it’s better to take a leap of faith with another person…because if one person falls on the landing - the other person is there to pick them up. 

Aw, thanks Valia and Ed. I look forward to leaping too. 

Follow along: airbnb.com/medtour

Dillon (Director of AirTV) & myself have landed in London on the first leg of the Great Mediterranean Tour. (Great Britain + Eastern Mediterranean) Get it? We’ll be capturing the stories of the hosts that are currently renting out on the company’s website. The updated touring schedule will be posted shortly so you should follow along and fall in love with Airbnb!

After the long 11 hour journey I took a nice walk in the park nearby to get refreshed. Here are reasons I always remember I love London.

1. The ridiculous copy everywhere.

example: “Humped Pedestrian Ahead”

2. Why every icon has to have an explanation written under it.

example: Picture of wheelchair and arrow says “Alternate assisted route this way”

3) The chimneys in conjunction with the smell of burning leaves makes me wanna sing chim-chimminee.

4. GREEN, GREEN, Everywhere.

5. Aged building and railroad tracks that look like could crumble at any moment.

6. Extra weepy weeping willows in the park.

7. Cars parked on the street can park whichever way they want. Against and Away from traffic.

8. Tea. I never drink black tea unless I’m in England. When I’m in the states I always go for the fancy stuff.

9. Blatant messaging about drinking and driving.

example: Huge poster of child laying dead in the street and Mother holding him.

10. The subway. Why doesn’t California have one? You get off the plane and actually have a decent way to get into the city.

Sigh, I will be fighting jet lag but still heading to bed here in just a bit. Looking forward to exploring with these lovely hosts tomorrow: http://www.airbnb.com/rooms/72059