HalfNakedRobin really needs to have her own blog. She's back in Europe...because she's still unemployed and when you're not working, Europe is as good a place as any to holiday...
Hello folks,
I've been having a fantastic time on my holiday and a day hasn't gone by when I didn't wish at some point that you were here to share it with me. I could write a long list of who I have met, the sites, the stories and laughs, all of it but I won't. I've written so much in my journal. We'll have a Guinness and I'll tell you then. It's been loads of fun, of course. I'm wicked lucky!!
What I most want to share is: Get ye arse to Scotland!
I am one that favors warm climates and white beaches so this is a huge for me to say! Scotland has friendly folks, great whisky, grand castles, loads of history and crazy weather. It's dog friendly! So much so, there is a dog cemetery at Edinburgh Castle...but it's the natural beauty that won me over.
The landscapes of Scotland grab the imagination. I was walking the dogs at Peter's in the highlands and I looked at the landscape in awe. I was standing at Peter's looking across the Cairngorm National Park dusted in snow. The view extends for miles. The different hues of gray, evergreen and brown were so soothing and bewildering. Property lines and roads are sketched through the munros and glens like a perfect jigsaw puzzle. I'm convinced the estates and castles are scattered for stupefying effect. It seemed I had a view of the entire world from there and I was speechless. Well, the next day I found myself taking a bus journey to St Andrew's through Fife. I had to take a deep breath. The landscape had taken on that of an impressionist painting. Spring has come. There are bright patches of forsythia, cherry blossoms popping, rich green pastures and trees glowing a lemon lime. Thousands of daffodils are poking up on every edge. Overnight I have traveled into a whole new world. As we pull up to the sea in St Andrew's, I have tears welling up in my eyes. I am so happy to be at this spot. I am staring out at the waves. I can hear Vangelis in my head. I can see the opening scene of Chariots of Fire...my all time favorite movie. There I was. I was standing in the waves, mystified with happiness and freezing my arse off ;-) I didn't care how cold I was. I could see the castle on the edge of the sea. That spot is revered to me forever.
How did I leave?
Returning to Brussels, on the train, I met a two fellows from Dundee. Paul and Rooney, both in their late 30's, taking a few weeks tour through Europe. We chatted it up a little while. They invited me to go to Amsterdam with them, pick up a car and drive to Cologne. I said, are you serious? Paul answered, "quite. you have a contagious laugh and we will have a great tour together, I'm certain." I said, no I must meet Mark this evening and get back to the states soon. Paul didn't agree. Well, then he paid for my lost train ticket, right on the spot. (I keep losing things. I dropped and left my passport on the plane in Philadelphia.) Carried my bag , bought me a Juliper, and tried his damnedest to get me on that connecting train to Amsterdam. Today, he says he'll be back to Brussels. He suggested Mark have dinner with us... so Mark can size him up ;-)...then, he'll kidnap me to go onto Cologne. He's already called twice...we'll see...did I mention he's really easy on the eyes ;-)
Too good to be true.
peace and love,
Robinowitz
