London is already a blur! And I’ve just left the Leeds area and arrived in Edinburgh, Scotland. I really love train travel. It’s so much nicer than an airplane and less hassle.
While in London I was able to see Frank, Betty and Franny Fran Fran the fluffy kitty. One night we had an amazing vegan Ethiopian meal that was 12 Euro for 2 people! Totally unheard of! Definitely the best bargain in all of Europe and the UK. But, of course, we did order the meal for 4. 12 Euro = $13.76. I like to pretend the dollar is equal to the euro and the pound. Denial, sometimes, is a good option. Or at least delays the truth until the credit card bill arrives. I tried to supplement my snack expenses by helping myself to a few snacks at Frank’s fancy google inspired software blah blah something office. Lucky for him I don’t like to carry extra weight in my luggage.
Speaking of which. I was fairly happy with my luggage when I left home. Well, I did wonder if I should unpack it for the 9th time and ditch a couple more items, but literally ran out of time before my chauffeur said it was time to go. I ended up with a carryon sized roller bag that empty weighs 7 lbs (3.17 kilos) and full (worst case scenario) with all my clothes, even the ones I ended up wearing 28.5lbs (12.92). And a medium smallish backpack that was mostly empty once I put on my coat. I could have left some things behind, and not everything will make it back. I’ve already discarded a few pairs of used underwear that I hated. As is my standard practice when I travel to rid myself of the ill fitting things.
I bring this up for two reasons. 1: Edinburgh has a lot of stairs. Upon arrival I had to take the Scotsman Steps up from the train station to reach my airbnb. They consist of 104 steps. They were redone after 2010 in 104 different marbles and a local gallery had an exhibition to help bring awareness to the steps renovation (Google it). I had to stop and rest a couple times at landings while walking up. 2. While in Leeds we took a double decker bus to the train station and we sat on top. That wasn’t the issue. The issue was it was close to our stop and I stood and walked to the top of the stairs to go down, with my roller bag dangling in front of me. The bus then lurched forward and I and my bag started to go forward down the stairs and nothing short of a strength, balance combo miracle stopped my bag and / or me and my bag from catapulting down onto the dude at the bottom. After the adrenaline cleared I noticed I may need a trip to the chiropractor or a massage. Neither are liking until my return. Hence my urge to drop more luggage weight.
As it turns out Nate and family were also in London during this time and I was able to spend the afternoon with him and his just turned 1yo daughter Olympia. It was a nice visit to the Natural History Museum and great to catch up a bit! I was super happy to hear that Olympia’s first word was cat. She also told me what a sheep says.
I was lucky to stay with Roger and Niina close to Leeds, they were also very kind to host me earlier this year in January for my first trip to Edinburgh. I met them on the same yoga/meditation retreat in Guatemala where I met Mathilde. Oddly, I was their first visitor to their place in Edinburgh and now I was their first Leeds guest after only living there for 10 days. They aren’t planning on ever moving in hopes that I will not be their first visitor again. ;) I am inspired by their dedication to the environment. We talked about the last 8 months and also about our future trip to India in February for another amazing yoga/meditation retreat. You should probably join us. There are a few spots left. :)
I’ve discovered a few things about the British, that previously, I didn’t know. The first was that they are non-confrontal in a public setting. Imagine a rush hour train with people standing in the isle. Not a single seat is free. Except one. A seat next to a middle aged business man in a suit working on his laptop. Pretending to be oblivious to the situation. The window seat next to him was 100% free, not even a bag in it, all he had to do was scoot over. Or anyone could have ask to sit inside. But he didn’t move, he didn’t offer and no one asked. I wanted to ask him to move over out of principal. But I didn’t. I also didn’t want to sit on the inside as our stop was the 1st one but still 20 mins away. So for that 20 mins I shot daggers at the back of his head and proceeded to allow my blood to boil over the blatant entitlement and privilege being depicted by this man who should know better. And, in fact, he did know better. When the train was stopping, he gathered his things, turned to my friend and said “you can sit here now.” Uhmmm wow. I finally had to remember that I don’t know what this man has been through or what kind of miserable existence he lives. I tried to feel compassion for him, but more-so I felt compassion for his wife.
The second was that the Brits really like their booze and loosen up much quicker at weddings than we North Americans in the US of A (don’t forget what the A currently stands for in my book). One of the reasons I love visiting friends in other countries is living with the locals, getting a glimpse into every day life. I was able to attend a wedding reception, as an evening guest. This is 3rd tier guest status. 1st tier is wedding and the rest of the activities. 2nd tier is reception and after. After the meal is 3rd tier: the evening guests. They arrive for dancing, coffee, tea and dessert. I was 3rd tier for good reason! I had never met the bride or groom and they were generous enough to tell roger and Niina they could bring me along. Evening guests were to arrive at 8pm. Niina was kind and stayed behind as 3rd tier with me. We took the last bus to the countryside area so we were there quite early. Which turned out good and bad. Good, because we didn’t think about it being in the country in the dark with no streetlights. We had a bit of a walk at dusk among sheep pastures, a small village and a glowing red phone booth. We were sure it was a portal to another time or place. I’m now wondering why I didn’t go in. Bad, because we were early and the wedding events were running quite late. It was still interesting and we entertained ourselves until we were invited in with everyone else.
I was pretty excited to have a reason to have black tea with cream and sugar at 10pm when the cake had still not been cut. (Side note: I will be going on a black tea and sugar detox when I return) Not to mention we were car pooling and at the mercy of someone who planned to stay late. I may have had a few drinks as well to get on the dance floor. The band was live and was exceptional! All the fun 70’s dance songs, mixed in with a few from the 80’s. At one point the bride and groom were on the shoulders of friends dancing. I was impressed. There was no cake smashing into faces. I don’t think it’s a thing there. Also, the guests were served desserts prior to the wedding cake being cut.
The third is that the British call the stove/oven a cooker. :). I love that.
Sending love and lots of hugs,
Serena
Ps. This is by no means the least important part of this message. In fact it’s the most important part. I want to say how much I appreciate you and the love and support I’ve received after the last couple of messages. It is really lovely to know that you are on the other side of this screen. Please know that I love hearing about your lives too! xoxox!!!
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