A few weeks ago I ventured to Scotland solo. My first time since being a wife. I braved the four plus hour trip via train to Edinburgh to attend a conference. I was greeted with typical British weather on arrival where one minute it was sunny enough to get a tan on and the next it was like the Heavens opened unleashing floods of rain drops. I remember exiting my hostel with sunglasses and enroute to the conference centre, I was drenched holding my thankfully well packaged poster.
Between talks and workshops I would roam around the city without a map. Taking in the beautiful sights the city had to offer whilst walking on cobbled streets that are centuries old. Edinburgh has been elegantly preserved in time despite modernity. Especially when visiting the castle, a sight so grand, one cannot help but be in a state of awe upon seeing it after exiting the train station.
However, travelling without A was strange. I stayed at a pod hostel (like the ones found in Japan) where each traveller is given their own designated pod in the wall. It was comfortable enough given its reputation but amongst young, backpacking students, the isolation that I felt was easily palpable. As much as I treasure independence, I whole heartedly wished A was there to experience it with me.
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