I had to find a place to stay near where my daughter lives, and fast. My daughter was having a long operation, so I flew to Oakland to minister to her, post-op. I don't travel well and I only infrequently travel alone. The owners of this Air bnb, Eurydice and Scott, was unfailingly kind: they remained deeply flexible about my arrival time, given the length of the operation. They checked on me, two days later, wanting to know if there was anything they could do for me, or for my daughter.
They had already done plenty, by having a fabulous apartment available to me! Surely, it's one of the best deals in Oakland!?!! You walk up this tender Hansel and Gretel pathway, strewn with fragrant Nasturium vines, past a playful, modest water feature that actually functions (!) and enter this modest but lovely one-bedroom. Perhaps because Eurydice has a name claimed by Greek mythology, there is a distinct Santorini vibe here. I hasten to add that I've never been to Santorini but it's the way I'd imagine it: white/white/white, the floors and walls. Hospitable, bathroom lighting, featuring plump towels and a fabulous, claw-footed bathtub. Plenty of hot water. The bedroom is monastically simple with a concentration upon comfort. My first experience with Bamboo sheets; my next email will be to buy some for myself! Pillows for every possible sensibility, plenty of closet space in case you don't travel light. The kitchen again, is white, overlooking a garden which will eventually get the botanical care it deserves! The owners were so thoughtful in trying to anticipate what a travel-weary person might want or need, upon arrival: organic half and half, coffee, olive oil, refrigerated probiotics, a bottle of some sort of fancy beer, a bowl of pears, oranges and apples, etc. Himalayan pink salt, this is, after all, Oakland.
Perhaps best of all, the apartment is blissfully quiet. Although the bedroom overlooks the street, it's profoundly residential and the view is frond-y with perennials unique to northern California. I slept so well at this apartment and this MEANS something, since I'm generally low-grade hysterical about traveling alone. Eurydice mentioned during my hospital logistics that her husband needed to pick up their ten-year old. I don't really know the etiquette of how intimate one is with air bnb guests but for me, alone in a city I didn't know, this bit of stray knowledge comforted me. I later learned there were three kids. I loved sharing space with a family, it soothed my nerves, most importantly, I felt SAFE. Oakland, to me, is a funky, creative, crazy place and it was essential for me to come "home" to the sanctuary of this apartment each night.
I cannot recommend this apartment enough.
-Molly Friedrich & Julia Carson