Today, I had some much needed Me Time. I realized while I was alone today that it was the first time I’ve been alone in about 19 days, unless you count travelling between Exeter and Edinburgh.
I’m not saying I prefer being alone, but at the same time, I need to have my alone time to think to myself and do things the way I like doing them without having to accommodate to make everyone around me comfortable. I like having time to myself when I can just sit and think to myself quietly or listen to my ipod and not feel like I’m being rude or blanking out or ignoring anyone. I like walking at my own pace and not speeding/slowing to match the person I’m walking with. I like being able to take pictures of anything I want to take pictures of without feeling like I’m making anyone wait up for me. I finally got a few hours of time to myself today and I think that during that time I felt a sense of calm I haven’t felt in a while. I think that is part of the reason why I’ve been so diligent with keeping up with these daily updates (although, I know, they won’t be posted until I’m back in Aberdeen, anyway)—because it’s the only time that I really have to myself. At the end of the day, I can think back to what I did, and usually find something funny that happened that day, and reflect on what could have gone better, and more importantly, to take a step back and realize that I’m HERE. I’m away from home, I’m on my ‘own’, technically, I’m exploring and living and loving it. I like my me time.
Alex had made a hair appointment for 9:50 this morning, and so we had to be out of the house around 9:30. I didn’t even get out of bed until 9 or so, so it was a bit rushed, but I eventually did make it out the door with Alex and we hopped on the bus together. Of course, since we were running late, the bus caught every single red light. When we got off the bus, Alex scampered away to her hair appointment and pointed me in the direction of the Royal Mile. I was headed for Edinburgh Castle, because I figured that while I’m here, I might as well be a tourist. I don’t know if I’m going to have a chance to come back here, so I really wanted to take advantage of the sights to be seen – that being said, I wasn’t about to drag Alex along with me to an overpriced attraction that’s probably not so novel to her. Anyway, Alex pointed me towards the Royal Mile with some kind of vague directions that I pretended to understand, and she ran off to her appointment while I started walking. I think I was looking at the wrong “pillars” she pointed me towards because they took foreeever to get to, and when I got to them and was able to see a view of the castle, it was in another direction. Although I admittedly was lost, I take pride in the fact that I eventually found my way, through some kind of nature park, a bunch of windy (as in with lots of twists and turns, not windy as in blowy weather) roads, without asking anyone or without a map!
I’m not saying I prefer being alone, but at the same time, I need to have my alone time to think to myself and do things the way I like doing them without having to accommodate to make everyone around me comfortable. I like having time to myself when I can just sit and think to myself quietly or listen to my ipod and not feel like I’m being rude or blanking out or ignoring anyone. I like walking at my own pace and not speeding/slowing to match the person I’m walking with. I like being able to take pictures of anything I want to take pictures of without feeling like I’m making anyone wait up for me. I finally got a few hours of time to myself today and I think that during that time I felt a sense of calm I haven’t felt in a while. I think that is part of the reason why I’ve been so diligent with keeping up with these daily updates (although, I know, they won’t be posted until I’m back in Aberdeen, anyway)—because it’s the only time that I really have to myself. At the end of the day, I can think back to what I did, and usually find something funny that happened that day, and reflect on what could have gone better, and more importantly, to take a step back and realize that I’m HERE. I’m away from home, I’m on my ‘own’, technically, I’m exploring and living and loving it. I like my me time.
Alex had made a hair appointment for 9:50 this morning, and so we had to be out of the house around 9:30. I didn’t even get out of bed until 9 or so, so it was a bit rushed, but I eventually did make it out the door with Alex and we hopped on the bus together. Of course, since we were running late, the bus caught every single red light. When we got off the bus, Alex scampered away to her hair appointment and pointed me in the direction of the Royal Mile. I was headed for Edinburgh Castle, because I figured that while I’m here, I might as well be a tourist. I don’t know if I’m going to have a chance to come back here, so I really wanted to take advantage of the sights to be seen – that being said, I wasn’t about to drag Alex along with me to an overpriced attraction that’s probably not so novel to her. Anyway, Alex pointed me towards the Royal Mile with some kind of vague directions that I pretended to understand, and she ran off to her appointment while I started walking. I think I was looking at the wrong “pillars” she pointed me towards because they took foreeever to get to, and when I got to them and was able to see a view of the castle, it was in another direction. Although I admittedly was lost, I take pride in the fact that I eventually found my way, through some kind of nature park, a bunch of windy (as in with lots of twists and turns, not windy as in blowy weather) roads, without asking anyone or without a map!
It was actually a good thing, because I’ve been craving some exercise, and I got another great view of the city (although I didn’t take any pictures – I think at that point I was more distracted with trying to figure out where I was). When I got to the castle, I spent an unhealthy amount on a ticket, and the stupid guy at the counter didn’t even give me a map! Luckily I asked another tourist where she got hers, and for some reason she had 2, so she just gave me one. Naiiice. I looked around the castle for the next 2 hours or so, just the perfect amount of time for me! I don’t know much of the history, so some of it was kind of boring for me. I did join in a free tour around the place, but they were taking too long at some parts, not long enough at other parts where I wanted to take pictures, and there was so much talking that I’d rather just be looking around. But it was really neat! I got to see the coronation sword and the crown jewels and the birthplace of King (Charles?) the …II? And the Prisons of War, which were really cool, and some dungeons, and then of course the castle defences.
This was in the Prisons of War...I was legitimately scared walking through
there by myself (it was darker than it looks in the pic)...cause they had all these recorded
voices and stuff...errrrrrk
One of the cool things, I thought, was the One O’ Clock Canon. This canon goes off every single day at 1pm, even to this day. The tradition started when the sound of the canon blast served as a way of coordinating all of the clocks on the ships out to sea to 1pm, so that they would have the right timing for coming back into the harbour, etc. It was cool to see it!
Unfortunately the sky was a bit more grey today, so some of the pictures weren’t as nice as they might have been. Anyway, after an awesome visit at the castle, I bought myself and ice cream and then went to meet Alex at St. Giles cathedral, just a few minutes walk down the royal mile. Luckily, there was a wedding taking place – good luck for seeing the bride!! And there were people all out dressed in their kilts and what-not, it was so cute! So I just sat there on a bench, watching the tourists and the wedding party, licking my ice cream, listening to my ipod, you know…just really enjoying myself!
Soon enough, Alex was there to meet me with her mom, Orla, who took her back to her place and fed us lunch and had a nice chat. Then she took us out on a nice little driving tour of the city. We went to see Alex’s old schools (primary and secondary) and they also pointed out some cool things, like Tony Blair’s old school.
This is Alex's school -- nice, eh?!? :
Nice! Then we went down to The Bridge of Fife (I could totally be making up that name!) But yea, I think it was something about that, in the Kingdom of Fife. And I only remember that because I was commenting on it being a ‘kingdom’, and how it sounds so formal. Then I started quoting the Lion King, when Mufasa is showing Simba his kingdom and how he reigns over everything that the light touches. Disney nerds, unite!
After a nice walk outside by the bridges, and coffee at a little cafe/restaurant right on the wayter, Orla drove us back to Alex's place. Marion made a deeeeelicious meal for us and we played Scrabble and watched Over the Rainbow, a reality tv show looking for a girl to play Dorthy in an upcoming broadway performance of The Wizard of Oz in London. Alex’s friend, Yvonne, came over, and she is a hoot! We had some funny moments and ended the night watching some How I Met Your Mother on my laptop. I guess leaving that cd in the drive was a good idea after all! I’ve watched those 6 or 8 episodes so many times now! hahaha
It was also a bittersweet day for me because I knew in the back of my head that it’s my last full day of vacation. Tomorrow I head back to Aberdeen and then it’s back to work, back to the grind, for a really intense week! After that week is over, I should be fine – I still have Stirling to look forward to, and lots of people to see/things to do! I just have to stay focused! :)
Anyway, I must be off to bed. I need to be well rested for tomorrow’s journey!
Night!
Beckers
It was also a bittersweet day for me because I knew in the back of my head that it’s my last full day of vacation. Tomorrow I head back to Aberdeen and then it’s back to work, back to the grind, for a really intense week! After that week is over, I should be fine – I still have Stirling to look forward to, and lots of people to see/things to do! I just have to stay focused! :)
Anyway, I must be off to bed. I need to be well rested for tomorrow’s journey!
Night!
Beckers
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