In Feb 2019, I was lucky enough to spend weeks in Surabhi's place. In Feb and March 2020, I chose to stay in Surabhi's place again because I had enjoyed her place so much in 2019. Her place is the same, but my experience in 2020 gets even better, despite the corona virus in London.
I say my experience in 2020 in Surabhi's place gets even better in unexpected ways, exactly because of, ironically, the impact from the corona virus. The outbreaks everywhere globally made it difficult for travellers to locate airbnb places in the early months of 2020. I also had to revise my dates of arrival at and departure from Surabhi's place. Surabhi was always so accommodating that she accepted each of my eccentric revision of dates. Moreover, as Surabhi is an intellectual woman with her expertise related to public heath, she always kindly knew to pacify me as a very uncertain and unsettled traveller in our correspondence in the airbnb box. My partner and I, already back home, miss Surabhi and her place very much. (Yes my partner spent weeks with me in London too)
Those who have some basic knowledge of London know that Feb is not a nice month to visit. London feels very rainy, cold, grey, and alienating in Feb. However, Surabhi's place proves to be a haven especially during Feb. I slept very well in Surabhi's place. I enjoyed cooking on my own or with Surabhi in her amazingly well-equipped kitchen. (As Surabhi is a hardworking professional leaving home early and coming home late, I and/or my partner mostly made my own breakfast, lunch, and dinner without her around). I enjoyed reading and writing alone during the day in Surabhi's dinning room. My partner enjoyed watching netflix etc from Surabhi's projector in the living room. There are also some nice and affordable eateries nearby. So we enjoyed Surabhi's place as a heaven.
During our stay, Surabhi from time to time talked about the spread of the virus after she came home from work, despite her being exhausted. It was very nice of her to do so, for she wanted her tenants (us) to be updated with what is going on in London and the UK. As somebody who knows public health professionally, she wanted to make us know our situation in London honestly. I really appreciate her kindness and grace in the difficult times in London (as well as other parts of the world). If Surabhi offers new airbnb spaces and I travel to the UK again, I will certainly check her out.
I wish her and her family a beautiful (and healthy) summer in the UK.