Scotland
There're few places on this wide earth that I would want to go back see again, well, for a simple reason. There's so much to see and so little time, who has the time to see the same place twice over? Maybe when I am done with one go around, see what I mean? But Edinburgh is an exception, in every sense of the word. When I set eyes on this beautiful city 9 months ago, I knew I had to bring Sweetie back.
How a city can blend in ancient and contemporary so seamlessly, I will never know. But that is what Scotland is in general. You pass through rolling hills, highlands, sprawling lowlands with castles sprinkled all over the place, and there's something about incessant rain that makes it all oh so dreamy. Time seems to tick slower than usual, the Gallic music in the background seems to achieve that as you are transported into the auld world, of wars, of fire and swords.
As you walk down the closes of Edinburgh, you cannot help but fall in love with everything this city is made of, of the incredible history that has lead to present day. I know one thing for sure - I will love Edinburgh like I love few other cities, twice over and I know this twice as surely, I have surely not had my fill. When it's time for a do over around the world, Scotland is going to be on top of my list. Till then, cheers Scotts!
Ireland
Traveling to Ireland has been a long overdue check off my bucket list. And now that I've been here for a few days, this beautiful little country has blown me away. You get to drive end to end in about 4 hours, longer if you want to take the scenic countryside routes and oh, the countryside routes are the way to go. Castles every 20 kilometers, homes painted bright blue, yellow and red, potted planters with the most beautiful flowers almost as if, they are all there to greet the passing visitors. It's all too beautiful to appear almost unreal, like it was setup somehow, like the front porches are facades to nothingness behind. Fortunately, that is not true and every nook and corner is wonderfully real. If the weather stayed at 17c throughout the year, I would move here in a heartbeat. Quaint doesn't begin to define the unadulterated beauty of this island.
If you ever choose to bring yourself to Ireland, rent a car. There's nothing like exploring this wonderful country at your own pace. Time seems to slow down as you stare at sprawling specks of green interspersed with cows, sheep and painted houses. Every lookout is a scenic one, every turn around the corner has something incredible to offer. You want to be able to get off and press the pause button on time as you fill your Iungs with the fresh air and your heart with joy of nature's bounty.
Getting myself to Ireland has been a long standing dream and one that I plan to relive many more times before I am done with planet earth.
England
There are places I look forward to see and some I am meh about. I have to admit to being pretty meh about London. Mainly because big cities are concrete jungles and so made up, in that sense. And then I visit with some great colleagues/friends a few years ago and I am so pleasantly surprised! One of the reasons I decide to bring Sweetie back to see this beautiful concrete loveliness. London has a little for everyone - the museum enthusiast, the city lover, the art nerd, the foodie. Truly a melting pot whether your pockets are deep or shallow. Modern day London population is beige in the true sense of the word. Crowd watching always pleases me so very much, one of the reasons I love cities with great public transportation systems. Time seems to go slow as you stare into nothingness and yet look around and absorb so very much.
And then there's the prehistoric beauty of the Stonehenge. Depending on your pair of eyes, you either see an overpriced viewing of a bunch of rocks placed randomly together or you see nothing less than a feat of science and human brain in the face of primitive tools. I loved every bit of my trip out there, the ride through the English countryside, getting drenched in the rain (the only day when we didn't carry umbrellas) as we stared at the stones in awe, having a moment of silence amidst hoards of people around.
Every trip sends me back with lessons and eye openers, makes me a little more humbled - the realization that we are but a speck in this humongous world, that our issues and worries and wants are so petty in comparison to all the beauty and enormousness of this big wide world, that there is so much to take and learn from each of these 10 day pilgrimages of sorts that we are so fortunate to have the ability to take.
Till next time, cheers!
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