Designed to Smile

Hellooooooo,

I can't believe that its been a week since I wrote last. I haven't had a spare fifteen minutes to access a computer and write my life away. So here it is. I left off at my Uncle and Aunt's house. We ended up staying in and cozying up to a movie. Exhausted from....well from doing nothing, I promptly fell asleep. Granted the couch is the size of three queen matresses and was cloaked in cashmere throws. Clearly it was made for Ashley to fall asleep on.

The next morning, my Aunty Lisa picked me up for tea and a ride to the train station. I haven't seen her in about 15 years and it was unreal to catch up with a long lost family member. We are astoundingly similar in our views on life and I'm really happy that we managed to catch up.

I took the train ride from Edinburgh to Markinch and was met by my Aunty Caroly K. As soon as we arrived on the Arnot farm, memories started flooding back. I spent three weeks there before I started high school. Playing the rain, my first alcoholic drink, learning to drive a stick shift, and witnessing a bloated dead cow getting its eyes pecked out by crows (hahah). The place feels like a second home and I love Caroly and Uncle Bill like an Uncle and Aunt (Caroly is my second cousin). I managed to get down to see Uncle Charlie (Caroly's dad) and Aunty Anne (Caroly's sister) on the Monday. Other than that, I hung out with Caroly and Uncle Bill and relaxed from all that doing nothing that went on for the past week.

My bus left St. Andrews Square on Wednesday morning. I figured that this meant it left from St. Andrews. Oh how wrong I was. Apparently, St. Andrews Square is in Edinburgh, a half hour away. I arrived at the St. Andrews bus station five minutes before my bus was meant to leave and then realized that I would clearly miss it. Aunty Carole and Minnie had thankfully stayed to make sure I got on the bus. I hopped back in the car and we ventured back to Aunty Carole's house to schedule a new bus ride. They were all booked for the next two days. Perfect. My only option was an even longer bus ride or an extortionately expensive train or plane ride. Aunty Carole, being the amazing woman she is, treated me to a plane ride down to London. Rather than suffering over 9 hours on the bus, I only spent and hour and half on the plane. AWESOME. It also meant I got to spend the whole day with Aunty Carole, Minnie, and their two dogs. We took a gorgeous walk on the water to get some ice cream and then snuggled up to the rain outside.

I arrived in London on Wednesday evening and took the train to meet Karen and Fotis (Katie's last name). I met them through a family friend (George) when they all came to stay with us in San Diego for a few days. We went back to Karen's house for a couple drinks. The next days we walked all around her town, to the gym for a swim, to her grandma's house for a ridiculously cheesy (ie. yummy), homemade macaroni and cheese followed my rasberries, ice cream, and meringues. We then went to George's house to see him Mum and then back to Karen's for a barbeque. It was great to be around Karen's family but it really made me miss mine. Note to my mum: Can we have a barbeque with everyone when I get home?

I left Karen's the next day and got on another plane to Dublin. That is where I am now. Its my first trip in a foreign city completely alone. Last night I was a bit apprehensive to tour the city without a companion but soon realized that it has its merits. All I have to consider is what I want to do. I can change my mind on a whim and not worry about who it affects. I went out in this historic area called Temple Bar. They are trying to breathe new life into the area and it is full of pubs, restaurants, and street performers. I stumbled across a REALLY good street band comprised of a violinist, 2 bassists, bongo player, and guitarist. I didn't have money to buy a cd but I'm going to see if they're there again tonight. I ate a sandwich in the main square and did some awesome people watching. Then settled into a pub for a guinness and irish band. A canadian man, at least ten years older than me, started conversation. He was a really nice guy but I quickly realized that he was interested in more than good conversation. I listened to a couple more songs and, just as he offered to buy me a drink, I excused myself and walked back to my hostel. It was a really good night. It seems like this city was just designed to make people smile. Everyone is so happy and friendly.

I'm about to find a book store and a grocery store and settle in for more people watching. Love you all. Hope you're all happy and healthy.

Ash