I am not a geography student, nor do I have any desire to learn the capitals of every country and colour maps of rock formations, tidal systems and whatever else their course covers. As a British citizen however, I feel it is imperative, and slightly inevitable, that I discuss the weather. This is one of those topics entirely suitable for small talk, or that regular awkward moment when a well meaning pensioner decides to talk to you during the long wait for a bus. I believe we should change the perception of this however. Turn around from your computer or mobile phone now and look outside. See, you noticed if it was sunny (not likely), grey, raining, windy etc. So i prove my point.
The weather is a subject able to provide excitement and jubilation on the odd sunny day when the entire country flocks to the coastline, or depression and SAD syndrome and the inability to get dressed and leave the house in winter. Never again will you dismiss the conversation topic as unnecessary or 'low', poor thing, I think we all underestimate the importance of it. As I write this post, I am sitting in Swansea University's building-site-of-a-library, where the blinds are closed and global warming's increasing. Fair to say there are some dedicated students here over the summer working (or like me continuing their procrastination), but surely, being lucky enough to have a beach right across the road and trees and gardeners galore, the University would have taken this inspiration and thought to turn off the unused computers, open the blinds and windows to take advantage of the summer weather, turn off the lights and air con, and do their part to prevent the weather of this world from becoming anymore extreme. Rant over, I plan to do my part. After my visit to the amazing Rocky Mountains 3 weeks ago, in all seriousness I hope to live in an almost carbon neutral manner (bar the plane flights to visit the wilderness!) and make small, daily changes to save our wonderful environment. I'll update you how that goes... And people - always take suncream and a coat out, we do live in the UK after all!
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So the British weather is continuing to work its charm on my holiday blues. Memories of the Coloradoan sun seem like a lifetime ago as the pale grey hue of the clouds water down my hardly tinted complexion. There was a hope and desire by us all on the trip for perhaps a little healthy glow; however the enjoyment of our expeditions and necessity for work prevented the particular act of sunbathing. This is not too much of a loss personally, as I have never understood how one can feel satisfied with life while doing absolutely nothing for oneself or others except frying like a lobster on an undoubtedly grotty sun bed for a couple of hours!
All sun aside, I have always been partial to the outdoors and a little adventure, and spending the month at Colorado State University has fired a passion for travelling that I’m sure will not be dulled yet (finances permitting!). The sights and experiences I was fortunate to have during my month in America were unbelievable, from the slightly hairy high ropes and white water rafting expeditions around the burning forests, to the serene mountain top views from Estes Park. It has given me a better appreciation of those things less considered in life; your senses, laughter, reliability on the weather, the ability to drink under 21 on our continent, and of the small things, a certain ongoing disagreement with mosquitoes! An intimacy with all of the above has certainly made me review my position on the stereotypical U.S. culture we as the British are saturated in, without admittedly knowing much about. The friendly individuals greeting our pale faces and jetlagged minds did not care one bit for the accents we owned or the length of our stay; they simply strived to make it the best exposure we could possibly have for such an enormous and advancing country. Hats off to Disney’s real town, Fort Collins, because by Jove they did that! |
About meI enjoy writing and have had experience from my degree and through working on news posts. I hope to use this blog as a summary of extraordinary things I've discovered or witnessed in everyday life. Archives
March 2020
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