Life in Falmouth

Living in Falmouth has been a rollercoaster of a ride. Being at university was my first time tasting freedom away from home. All the things that were once restricted, were now accessible. I could finally go out and stumble in home at any time! I remember the drive down to Cornwall with my parents, when they dropped me off on campus. I felt nervous at the sight of seeing cows and sheep in fields. I’m a city girl at heart, but little did I know that my time in Cornwall would change that. I had been visiting Cornwall on holidays since i was six months old, staying at my one of my Dad’s house’s in the small fishing village called Mevagissey. All the pictures on my landing were of Cornwall, and yet the thought of living there seemed daunting. My mother shed tears as she said goodbye to her baby, whilst Dad was more eager to get a Cornish pasty from Rowes. I didn’t cry when they left, but I felt a sudden bout of nervousness at the three unprecedented years that lay ahead. The first night of university, I stumbled into Carlos, who would become one of my closest friends. I waved at him and asked if he was a fresher. He looked at me as if I was crazy, and he took me to O block residence, where I met others. Hamza would nickname me baby girl for the next three years, and I would unintentionally, consistently, end up cock blocking him. Carlos’s music Lalibela showcases organic creativity. A guy with a heart of gold, and a shy exterior, who personally encouraged my creative conscious.

Carlos Cunha (Lalibela)

The first year consisted of flat parties and night outs in Falmouth town. Initially I wasn’t prepared for the heavy techno music or drum and base that consumed pretty much all the events for the three years. I had grown up listening to Sade, and to little surprise the only time that kind of music was played, was when I put it on at pre-drinks. For the first time in seven years, I sang live at open mic night. I was so nervous, that I developed a sore throat. To remedy this inconvenience, I held my head over a bowl of hot water and vaporup, inhaling to clear my throat. Afterwards I would frantically repeat the lyrics to Amy Winehouse’s song Tears Dry On Their Own. In second year I moved in with a couple of gorgeous gals, and we created the acronym JRAG; resembling our names. For the first time in my life, I witnessed snow in Cornwall. Falmouth looked foreign, albeit it resembled a sort of tranquility, a pause from the stress of uni work. I began to get more accustomed to the music scene, and saw artists such as General Levy and Aphex Twin. I remember seeing a guy narrowly avoiding a fall, whilst doing a backflip in front of General Levy. It was the first time seeing a popular black artist in Falmouth, and he was generating so much energy in such a small place.

I couldn’t have got through my course without Lana and Rads. The late night revision cramming for exams, coupled with countless Rupaul’s Drag Race episodes to get us through. Trips to Truro for shopping, and an increase in ear piercings, which unsettled mum. Late nights in Fives or Mango’s, and indefinitely avoiding club I.

In third year I had taken a liking to Liam’s funky jackets, and it soon became apparent that I would be borrowing them for nights out. On a day trip to Flushing, Liam would rock my Sade inspired orange suede jacket. He had a smooth style and music taste, which consisted of: D’angelo, Earth Wind And Fire, and settled into Dire Straits. When coupled with Josh’s vinyl player, the atmosphere countered the dominant techno sound.

The long six and a half hour train journey home every half term break was exhausting. I would plug in my headphones on the train, listen to Motown classics, and contemplate the next phase of my life after university. Each time I stepped foot in London it brought about confusion. The crowded busy streets, and the shoving of commuters made me anxious. Third year was the year that moulded me, it was the wake up call I needed to provide a platform for my writing. Throughout university I had been helping to create artistic visions for others, whilst unintentionally neglecting my own. Falmouth marked a pause. I had to get away to focus, but I couldn’t fully leave. Even though the memories seem so distant, they can never be extinguished.