Observing Exeter: the first visit back

The last time I sat in a cafe on my laptop, I was in Clifton, Bristol, frantically trying to finish my dissertation in time for my final ever university deadline. 

Three months on, and I am now sitting in the Tiny Tea Room in Exeter during my first on-site visit for my new graduate reporter role.

Even though I know that a lot has changed in this brief period, as I type on my laptop, sip a black Americano, and fish around in my head for the right words to accurately reflect my thoughts, it all feels remarkably familiar.

The last time I visited Exeter for work, I was a nineteen-year-old sales consultant for a fragrance brand. 

I’m arguably a lot more confident and qualified now, and a more mature mentality inevitably accompanies a different perspective of the city. 

I was surprised by just how much I enjoyed mooching around Exeter today.

It’s possible that the sunny weather had a positive impact on everyone’s mood, but it was one of those Fridays where people seemed unanimously smiley and relaxed. 

I visited a total of three cafes, said hi to my old work team, visited an art gallery for an article, and played the part of a novice photographer.

A street performer played a beautiful tune on their saxophone in the middle of the immaculately presented high street, framed by pink, red, and purple hanging flower baskets. 

I was relieved to see that they have replaced eyesores like the abandoned office block that scaled the side of the cathedral with attractive-looking retail stores.

I laughed out loud when I saw that the same Oliver Bonas chair I noticed on sale in 2019 was still in the same spot, still on sale five years later.

Exeter locals may be aghast to discover that today was also my first ever time properly exploring Exeter’s bohemian-esque West Quarter on foot, rather than peering curiously from my seat on the Park and Ride bus.

Though I arrived too late in the day to properly enjoy the McCoys Arcade, I have pencilled it in as my very first destination to visit on a future Saturday trip to Exeter with friends.

I experienced a similar feeling when first exploring my new home in Clifton Village, discovering one-by-one the small places of affiliation in a place not totally familiar to me.

I pondered what it would have been like to attend the University of Exeter rather than the University of Bristol, pretending briefly that I wasn’t a trainee reporter but an English Literature student once again. 

Though I'm still satisfied with my first choice of Bristol, I can completely relate to my friends who attended the University of Exeter and insist that they had some of the best years of their lives studying here. 

All in all, I am looking forward to my fortnightly workday, traveling from Torquay to work in the city. 

I’ll have to plan to explore a different section of the city each time to discover some of its lesser-known gems.