The Cotswolds

The way I travel is very... free-form. I sort of take the days as they come and welcome adventures, strangers, etc. On one of the many plane trips I took over christmas break (i believe this one was on my way to AZ, but not totally sure), the man sitting next to me showed me pictures of his travels and I told him I would be traveling to England and asked if he had any recommendations. He wrote on a sheet of paper and told me numerous times to go to Cotswold, claiming it to be the most beautiful place in england. I proceeded to joke about Cotswold (trying to say it really british, and refer to it as where i was going to day instead of, the beach or whatever). So the name has stuck with me.

Meanwhile, I signed up for a HOST weekend visit, which basically means I apply and get matched with a family/person in england to stay with for the weekend. My person was Elizabeth, an extremely kind old woman who lives alone in Oxfordshire. So I took the bus to oxford expecting her to live in oxford, she picked me up there and we drove way out into the country where the air is crispy cold and we arrived at her little stone cottage in the village of little barrington (population-30?) where I spent a weekend in what is known as the Cotswolds. Rolling hills, beautiful views, farmland, sheep, nice people, old churches, rivers, streams, and lots of beauty. I love when these things come around in this way. How I can intend on going somewhere and somehow end up just in the right place without knowing it until I am there.

Highlights of the weekend included: lemon and honey for my sore throat (freshly squeezed), having tea 5+ times a day, walking the hills of farms in big rubber boots, seeing beautiful stained glass in amazing churches still being used by the village ppl today, having a proper sunday brunch, riding in the back of a pick up truck up a giant hill and walking down catching so many beautiful views, playing guitar for 3 women in their 70's, and 2 children under 10, teaching elizabeth to use something called a "DVD player." :)

And the ultimate low of this week is... drumroll... i left my jacket in the cotswolds at that lovely farmhouse i had sunday lunch at, and now i do not have a jacket, wallet, keys, oyster card, camera, hat, gloves, -- nothin! today i wore so many shirts and sweaters i looked like a stuffed animal from the waste up and i got locked out of my flat, but luckily there are many free museums nearby so maybe it was best that i ended up at the victoria and albert museum. i hope to receive this jacket in the mail very soon, and then write thank you letters promptly for all the inconvenience it caused.

riccardo and i worked on a new song today where we both tried desperately to communicate in a song what its like to go someplace to try to relax and end up having thoughts of someone you still love who has moved on from you come back into your brain--the cruelty of a break up. he said in italian they say an expression which means you scratch your head in order to get rid of the thoughts inside of it. i don't think this translates so well into a song in english but ironically we've both had problems with itchy skin so it made for some laughs.

last week i found an amazing open mic night at a place called "The Sun" and i will be going back again for sure. it reminded me of college perk, and had a great vibe and pretty good talent as well. thursday night riccardo had a show and i made it to the second half after seeing an incredible string quartet do berg, schubert, and bach pieces. he did a great job! i sang with him on one song and met cool people from poland and italy and learned a few more italian words.

i now have a higher appreciation for the luxury of our oyster cards and can't wait to get my coat back for warmth and free transportation! i'm going out for thai food tonight though, because spencer convinced me and it will make me happy and warm inside even if i don't have a coat!

so much love to all of you, take care,

jo