Saturday 3rd June 2023
Woke up at 4am with the sun already blaring through my un-block-out curtains. I was surprised by how bright it was so I had to take a photo of it, of course. The next 6 hours I lolled around until I realised I had only a half hour to shower and check out. Suddenly I was spinning into action. The hotel did the job but it won't be getting a great review, due to many issues, but I don't want to moan(here) haha.
However it was right next to a very impressive old Maritime Custom house so I wondered around taking photos before resuming my walk on the esplanade. A classic sausage bun and Irn Bru from a busy little Cafe, set me off, and I took my time walking and admiring and reflecting on everything.
I speak with this Scottish accent but I know very little about the geography, history, culture and customs of my tribe. The social history was lost to me too although I did experience the music albeit from many miles away. Everything is different, the plants, bugs, birds, smells, flowers, angle of the sun.... alles. I realised that I am in the process of learning so much new information and with all my travels and 'newness' it could overwhelm me. But it doesn't.
I pondered on that 20 year old who returned to her homeland in 1987 and felt for her. No wonder she was so anxious, she was scared of everything, the unfamiliar life was daunting and she (I) couldn't help her like I could now. I think the biggest help was allowing myself to not know anything instead of should know everything. Plus it's okay to make mistakes and especially okay to ask for help.
I sat on a bench about 8km away from my hotel to rest my backpack and I'd stopped right next to a public swimming pool which was full of white/blue/pink bodies. The vitamin D intake was on uberdrive and I smiled when I thought that this was how I'd spent my younger years- at a pool in the sun except on the other side of the world.
My amazing nephew picked me up for the ferry over to his dad and I'm just amazed at the beauty of the surroundings. Nameless to me- lochs, Bens (hills) and forest make it easy to take hundreds of photos. Yet I try to learn names of things, but one at a time.
It was great catching up with the family and simply just enjoying the space.
Plus, there's dogs! AND I saw dolphins in the river- bonus!
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