Scotland

Here I am in Pittenweem, Fife, Scotland. After a long and emotionally draining day of travel, I have arrived at my brother and sister-in-law's cottage in Scotland. Leaving Spain was one of the hardest things I have done, I was not ready, nor do I feel my time in Spain is completed. I am determined to return. I began my traveling yesterday at 2:00 in the afternoon and completed my journey about 2:00 this morning, 13 hours of travel including 1 subway, 2 buses, 1 train, 1 plane, and 1 car. I became quite famous on my plane, maybe notorious is better fitting. After checking my bagage I had to pay a fee for checking 2 bags which required me to wait in yet another queue along with about 20 other passengers on the same flight. After rectifying the matter I made my way through security to the plane. Oddly, I heard my name being announced overhead, the plane was waiting for me. I quickly jumped the line, went through security and ran for the plane. I handed my boarding pass and passport and made my way down the steps onto the tarmac. The plane had already closed its doors and was backing away! I stood there shocked, not quite knowing what to do. One gentleman took pity on me and signaled the plane to stop. I saw the door open and the stairs unfold as a flight attendant stuck her head out the door. I quickly boarded the completely full plane, apologized immensely to the passengers and quickly took a seat, not sure if it was mine or not. The passengers gave me a quick hello, a few even clapped, possibly out of annoyance possibly out of amusement. Needless to say it simply added to my desire not to leave the people, city, and country with whom I have fallen in love. As if leaving Spain wasn't hard enough, my body was quickly reminded I was no longer in the warm Mediterranean climate as the rain and clouds consumed me when I stepped off the plane. The cold, something from which I have been sheltered the last 7 weeks. 

Despite my difficult trip and the cold, I truly am excited to be back in Scotland. Driving through St. Andrews at 1:00 this morning brought me back a year and a half ago when I first visited. I am excited to wander the quiet closes and wynds once again. The architecture is incredibly contrasting with that of Barcelona but it carries its own beauty. Drinking coffee, reading books, catching up with Matt and Alissa, taking pictures, and staring at the ocean will consume my next week. It is the beginning of the end of my travels in Europe, it marks my last 3 weeks abroad; last 3 weeks this time around. I will be back.