Last September I was fortunate enough to get the chance to explore the belt of Scotland. As you might have gleaned from previous postings, I love Scotland. The music, the food, the architecture; it is my warm fuzzy blanket.

While I was there, I notated random observations in my travel journal. This is a special journal that is small enough to tuck into my purse, and large enough to doodle sketches of the scenery as I wait in line for various activities. It is special because it is only used on adventures. I have several journals for various purposes, hence why it is called the ‘travel journal’.

So, on the eve of the first anniversary of my trip, I thought I would share some of these observations. Keep them in mind the next to you travel to anywhere. They may come in handy.

1. Brush up on the cuisine of the area you are visiting. I was having lunch at Deacon Brodie’s and a group of American women sat next to me. The menu was fried, with a fried potato product on the side. Not too difficult, yet these women seemed to have difficulty understanding what “pub food” meant. How did I know they were American? They were so loud that everyone knew that they were on Atkins.
2. Speaking of fried…every restaurant I went to had the best french fries. Don’t know if it’s the potatoes or the oil, but they are excellent.
3. Parts Edinburgh are thousands of years old. The Royal Mile and Old Town itself span 600 to 700 years old. Much of that is unchanged. Including paved roads. Why oh why would you go tottering around in four-inch stilettos? I saw a woman on a ghost tour catch her heel in the cobblestones. The resulting fall lead to a broken ankle, torn jeans, and a very red face. You don’t look so cute when you’re sprawled out on the pavement.
4. Why do secret service men wear suites? I know, this digresses a bit, but lets think about it. A hotel was bombed in Rwanda and the footage showed secret service men running around in suits, their neck ties flapping in their faces. I would think that a tie would be distracting, or used against them in hand to hand combat. I would understand if they wore something more fitting to defensive maneuvers.
5. A Scotsman doing a Sean Connery impersonation. Funny.
6. If asked if you would like your meat pie or sausage roll warmed up, just say no. The inside is molten lava hot every time.
7. Several times I saw women wearing a halter top with a bra. Visible bra straps? Who lied to you and told you that you looked good?
8. What exactly is brown sauce?
9. Remember the your camera has a video function prior to the middle of your vacation.
10. Upper Crust still has the best baguette sandwiches ever.
11. Most importantly, enjoy yourself! Don’t be afraid to try new things. If I had been to timid to travel around the world by myself, I would have missed out on this amazing scenery, and that would have just been sad.

The call of the pipes and drums truly calls to my soul. To some, it’s just noise. To me, it’s the sound of Scotland.

The Caber Toss

What is this fascination I have with a country over thousands of  miles away? This land of magic and mystery. This land of possibilities. A land that has seen too much blood shed for a people who only wanted a land to call their own to raise their families on.

It’s everything. I can listen to the music and be swept away onto a grassy moor, among the swaying green grass, watching the waves beat against the rocky shore. I can walk into a house and be touched by a ghost.  I can enjoy the best french fries in the world in practically every pub. Scotland is my warm blanket, my chicken soup, my smile on a rainy day.

Of course, I’m not completely naive. Scotland has it’s troubles just like every country. Joblessness, mortgage problems, health care reform. But under all of that, there is a spirit that calls to everyone. This spirit makes one whip out their tartan and proudly claim their clan name at the highland games.

Last weekend was the Pacific Northwest Highland Games and Clan Gathering. It is my Christmas. The one time of year that I don’t hesitate to plunk down $20 in lemonade and purchase clothing that I will only wear at the next year’s games, or a renaissance festival. It’s a time and place where everyone is Scottish and goodwill flows like a beer from a tap.

Last year I had the chance to travel to Scotland and explore

Need Fire

 the belt. The games are my chance to regain some of that feeling of excitement and wonder that I felt when I was there. It is not even remotely the same, however, it is the closest I will get in my little corner of the world. I take my pleasure where I can find it, and until I can get back to the real thing, the games will do.

So until next year, I will grab a pint of Magner’s, plug in my Wicked Tinker’s CD and count the days until I can travel again.