Scotland is for Lovers (Part 2)

After my amazing nap in the hotel room with my golf spikes still on my feet, I wake up at about 3PM, more hungry than ever. I decided at this point to venture out alone in Edinburgh and find myself a light lunch. Eventually, after meandering through the Royal Mile I found a little cafe and ordered a pint of Carling and some tomato basil soup with bread. I people-watched for about an hour and took in what had just gone on. Golf in Scotland, what do I do next. Well, I decided to walk into a now raining city and go up to Edinburgh castle to take in the views. As I make it there I find enterance for a half-hour is twelve quid. Basically, I take a few pictures and make my way back to the hotel. Carrolers are singing near a monument, I thought to myself I am truely here. God bless this city, and the people in it. Sitting here right now as I write this, I'm speechless for this moment in the day when I'm in Edinburgh, at that time I've finally crossed some barriers in my life, gained confidence in myself, and learned that sometimes the best moments are silent walks in big cities by yourself. That was a special hour for me in my life, and I needed to have one of those moments with a sense of place.

As I make it back to the hotel, Fran and Matt were in the mood to have dinner with me again. We made it to the Royal Mile and had dinner at the Raddisson. Yes, I picked a bottle of red and had a quesadilla that looked more like a pepperoni pizza. Good conversations again and I feel that at that moment a bond occured at dinner. We were good friends, talking about home and everything under the sun. We had to get out of the cafe though, we were due to go to the Bank Bar to start a pub crawl with all of our mates. As I walk into the pub and talk about my round of golf with those who knew I was playing that day, I came across a pretty girl named Kylie. I went over, talked with her a bit and found out that she was a solo-traveling Aussie (Auzzie), please do not make the mistake of using the "s" sound. I had made a new friend, her and I talked all night throughout the pubs about life, culture, wine, and everything under the sun. I find at this moment in my journey that its not about where you are that gives you that feeling that you belong, its who you meet and what your conversations are.

After making it to all 5 pubs with discounted drinks Kylie is ready to get back to her hostel and I'm ready for bed. I gentlemenly walk Kylie home, and goodbyes were said. Its hard to explain the bond I had with Kylie, the sad thing is that I know I'll never get to see her again and talk with her, though when she said goodbye she exclaimed, "goodbye Indiana" with a peck on the cheek. I walked back contemplating why we run into people who are only in our lives for one night, and make my way to bed. This was my last night in Edinburgh and I had totally been encompassed in the culture and understanding more about myself. Being that Edinburgh was the Vienna of the north in Rennasiance times, enlightenment was my experience as well. I went to bed that night tired, but grateful for the experience I had that day. To this day it will be one of the most memorable days of my life! Cheers Lads