The OBX field site is starting to get into the groove of our new surroundings. This week marks a month in Manteo living in the guest house, and we have already met tons of new people and explored miles of the Outer Banks. We all started out with different knowledge of the area, like Emmy, who knows Outer Banks by heart, to me, visiting for the first time. Piece by piece, we are turning this island into a home and adopting the local culture.
Each one of us has found a different way to bring our personalities to the guest house, starting with our room decor. Several members of our cohort have plants that we (to varying degrees of success) grow by the windows. Quinn has a longer history with her plant than most serious relationships, and from February 2020, it has traveled everywhere from Ohio, Colorado, Connecticut, and North Carolina with her. Leanna has a mini garden by her window, and Jared has a beautiful flowing plant.
We’ve also experimented growing some edible plants. I have some radish microgreens on my windowsill, and Sophie and Leanna have been working on the backyard garden. They even harvested some carrots and onions!
Our rooms’ bulletin boards display some of our favorite memories. One of the pieces of Julia’s art is a picture of the Netherlands to remind her of home. Tara even has up a mixed media piece of a marsh that she painted herself. Josh and Kayla both have up some Tarheel artwork to remind us of our UNC roots.
Some of us brought our favorite objects from home. Anna has her emotional support football, also perfect for a last-minute activity. Emmy and Josh both have musical instruments that they have been learning to play. Whatever it may be, we all enjoy sharing our hobbies with each other.
Speaking of hobbies, one of the group favorites has become playing a variety of sports around town. We have played some highly competitive pickle ball in the local high school courts, and we carry a traveling spike ball set for all our adventures. Honorary mention for a display of athleticism- Emmy leading stretch breaks during class.
Some of our favorite things to do around the area are a lot more relaxed. We love food in this home. Part of learning the local food scene has included going to farmers market and learning new ways to cook seafood from the fishermen in the house. We’ve also done lots of cooking. Some favorites are zucchini pancakes and banana bread, convenient for the bananas you inevitably forget in your room until it’s too late.
Like true locals, we are falling in love with the nature around us. One of our favorite things to do on a quiet night is watching the moon in festival park in downtown Manteo. We’ve also learned to appreciate the beach’s beauty on rough days as well as the clear ones. Even though the past few weeks have flown by in an exciting blur, we have much more to look forward as we explore our new home.