Oops!

Hi Friends,

I thought I had published a brief post from Edinburgh, but it hasn't come through - so let's assume it went unpublished. Sorry this is late! I am finally back from Edinburgh, sitting in my room in Cardiff where I (seemingly miraculously) have wifi internet. Oh the joys of being home! Not for long, however. I'm going to my real home tomorrow. Prepare yourselves, American family and friends. A brief two weeks with you coming up!

Starting Fresh

Being in Edinburgh was a tough three weeks. We lived in a three bedroom, one bath apartment- with six, sometimes seven inhabitants. Wifi was unavailable in the apartment, and 3G was sporadic throughout. Needless to say, I primarily used my phone for taking photos. I finished 1.5 books. I celebrated my birthday. I walked a lot, collecting goods from as many charity shops as I could find. I also made it my mission to photograph Arthur's Seat daily. Oh, the things you do while vacationing.

One of the Better Shots of Arthur's Seat

Thoughts

Edinburgh proved to be challenging in many ways. Keeping a show fresh when we had 22? performances to do was hard, especially when we had scant audiences and only one day off for the whole festival. Having Dave, Colin, Talita and my parents come was a refreshing change. I met them at their Airbnb and it was like being home, Dave joking making toilet jokes, Dad insisting I wash my feet (which got blackened by being barefoot onstage), and me laughing incessantly as he washed them for me in the kitchen sink.

We celebrated my birthday by eating out, and thanks to my superior nose, we had what my dad claimed the "best food we've had in Europe". My mom was all smiles and hand-holding, and it was great to sleep over at theirs... when I woke up alone (they had an early morning flight to Iceland), I revelled in my first king-sized bed experience, where even the most radical of stretches left me plenty of room. I also revelled the fact that their stay was so short, so happy, and now I was alone in a house too big for me.

While in Edinburgh, Alison and Alistair (extended family) also came to see the show, and I was happy to see them and hear some positive reviews about Fleeced! Alison had just had an interview for the University of Glasgow, and guess what? She landed the job! Plenty to celebrate here.

She's my step-cousin's daughter's sister-in-law... I think. Hehehe

And I finally took a trek up Arthur's seat. The views were gorgeous, and it was a sunny day (this is a big deal in Edinburgh). I felt like reciting Psalm 23 as I climbed the hill. At the top, I got in a friendly conversation with two strangers, a navy-engineer and a romanian-NZander. I love the vulnerability of being alone, of meeting randoms, of dispersing and feeling that fleeting positive impact only a strangers can give. More photos were taken with Alice's camera, but until she shares them, this is one of the only ones I've got!

Way to Miss Your Own Face. Selfie-fail.

One Last Thing (Important)!

I lost some desire to write the blog this past week, not because I don't like writing (I freaking love it and will continue to write until I can no longer do so); not because nothing was going on (my family's arrival is one of the best things that's happened all year); but because I don't get to check up on what you, my friends, are up to. I talk about my life every week, but I have very few responses from readers, and guess what? I'd love to hear from you too! Actually, I demand it! Being away can be exciting, and updating the blog definitely is, but rarely hearing back is discouraging. So... I've got a lot of flight time ahead of me; do me a favour and shout me an email. Tell me what you're up to this summer/winter (depending on your hemisphere). Comment on things I've written. Or just, you know... say what you want to say, even if it is just gibberish! 

Next time you hear from me, I'll be state-side. Ciao for now.

Sal