Scotland, ye Scotland (Edinburgh)

On my long drive back I stopped several times, but all in all did not see any more sights. Rather marveled at cashmere and tweed as well as outdoor stores that got a little of everything. My last stop before Edinburgh was a a Loch and I did a walk through the woods, eating blueberries and determined to have at least one Whiskey while in Scotland.

I hate to admit it, but it was not pleasant, despite having asked for a mild one, but the short bread cookies made up for it.

And after some good nights rest I headed back to the airport, dropped my car and embarked on the last part of my trip.

Edinburgh had just finished the Fringe Festival and the Military Tattoo. Which I think I will want to experience at some point. But after having been in the vast landscape with very few people around, it felt almost jarring to be in the city, with tourists all around. And for the first time I felt lonely too.

The hostel was modern, clean and the people friendly enough, even though not really as engaged as I had thought they might be. Everyone occupied with their own plans and things to do. I wandered the old part of the town and after some hesitation entered a pub called the Scotsman. Sitting at a table by myself I was joined by a lovely family from the Westcoast of Scotland and we chatted a bit about where we were from and such things.

The life entertainment was a young handsome man with a gorgeous voice, singing favorites and the evening ended with lots of good byes and me tiredly crawling in my pod.

Here now I realized that in a room with 20 or so beds, and equal amount of people, the cardboard provides privacy of sight, but really not of noise. But the mattress was comfortable enough and after some tossing and turning I fell asleep.

The next morning, after having talked to a nice Australian over breakfast, I set off to see some sights, but still feeling strongly that the Edinburgh, that Alexander McCall Smith in his Isabelle Dalhousie Series described was just not visible to me. I had not imagined the throngs of tourists, the normal chain stores and perhaps not for the first time thought I wish I was born in a time long ago.

But I visited a few museums and loved the portrait one the most. I did marvel and the dark looking buildings and Fiona our Tour Guide for Edinburgh Castle was funny, entertaining and full of facts I would have not learned otherwise. Which redeemed the day from all it's high expectations that got disappointed otherwise.

But dinner time brought out my insecurities. First of all on a Friday you better have a reservation, which I failed to make. So I wandered around for good 2 hours to find a table anywhere. Finally giving up and ordering food at a fast food chain to go. When my card refused to work, and the cash was not enough, so I had to take something of my order, I lost all nerves. I could not fathom sitting down for a cocktail just to see my card be declined.

So I ate my food on the side of the road and walked back to the hostel. There I met a young Spanish women and we sat and talked for a while. We got joined by another young woman from Switzerland. I decided to risk it and ordered some cider in a near by bar and my card worked this time. But once the two women decided it was time to go out I felt too out of place to join them and found an excuse to leave.

I had wanted to see sunrise over the city, not realizing that in summer that means 6.21 being at the hill. Needless to say I skipped that and slept in.

The next morning it had rained over night and the tourist seemed fewer and for the first time I saw the city like it could be and liked it so much better. I spend the morning in the Scottish National Museum and loved it. It has so much to see and is arranged thoughtfully and engaging. I could have easily spend more time there and wish I had time to return to it again.

But it was time to check out the hostel, so I went to the airport early, bought a book and found a corner to get lost between the lines of a murder mystery, my favorite kind of story.

In tote I had all the impressions of this beautiful, wild and vast landscape, realizing there is so much more to see. Also the realization that I am content on my own, but not in cities. That carry on luggage is enough, but that a few things should always make it in.

That one should never worry about fitting in or matching the surroundings but to recklessly dive in and do it anyhow..... so perhaps next time I will do that more.....