edinburgh 2020→ 2024

hey stranger,

the last time i was in the uk, it was march of 2020. i had just finished my study abroad program in southern spain, and due to last-minute flight changes to get me home sooner (hello, covid), i spent one day in edinburgh, scotland.

it was a strange and stressful twenty-four hours — i remember my uber driver commenting on how unusually deserted the streets were. it felt like a dream, and not a good one. slightly apocalyptic.

but there were little comforts too. i made a friend named liz on my flight from spain to scotland, and we had the best brunch of my life at scotland’s national gallery. my best friend sent me a sweet video of themself cooking breakfast and wishing me safe travels. and i made it home the next day, exhausted and relieved.

gloomy edinburgh march 2020

four years later, i’m back in the same city and it couldn’t be more different. the streets are packed — i’ve had to be patient moving through congested sidewalks. but it’s good practice. it reminds me of this quote i ripped out of a julia cameron book and pasted in my journal:

“everything that slows us down and forces patience, everything that sets us back into the slow circles of nature, is a help.” - may sarton

i’m here for the fringe festival, and i’ve loved seeing so many shows — i’ve been to twelve so far, and i have tickets to eight more! amazing!!

i’ve had moments of intense money stress, but i decided that tickets to shows is not where i’m going to be thrifty. this is why i’m here after all!

edinburgh yesterday — it’s packed! and beautiful💚

after edinburgh, i’m heading to a remote hamlet to house-sit for a week. well, not just house-sit. also chicken-sit and geese-sit and PIG-sit. i’m so excited to spend time with farm animals in the middle of nowhere after such an overstimulating adventure. i’m hoping to walk and draw and write and cook, which sounds magical. i can’t wait.

thanks for reading <3

love,