You guyssss baby Caroline is so cute here! I want to reach out and hug her. This was my first ever proper solo travel experience. I was a flower at the start of Spring, blossoming and discovering for the first time all the world has to offer.
On why nature is the ultimate teacher
Published 3/19/2017
Below is an excerpt from my journal detailing my trip to Scotland.
This trip was especially important to me because it was the first trip I embarked on ~solo~. I had no agenda, but was ready to embrace Edinburgh with my new outlook on life: I know nothing, but I'm here to learn.
My first big adventure was to climb Arthur's Seat, a steep mountain?hill? (not sure what to call it) in Edinburgh from which the view is breathtaking. After a five mile run in the surrounding Holyrood Park, I was ready to conquer the beast. There were several paths that led to the top, but being the trailblazer and expert hiker I am, I decided to forge my own. Robert Frost may have taken the road less traveled, but I think I took the one never traveled! Does that make me better? Or different? Maybe better different in a different but better way(+50 points for recognizing the movie reference). Whether or not I knew about the paths lined with convenient stone steps before I started my journey is not important. What probably would have taken me 15 minutes and been a breezy climb took me a little over an hour with several stops to catch my breath. I had resolved to make it to the top, so to give up or find an easier way was never an option. I stood from my place of victory- kicking out Arthur and reclaiming it as Caroline's Seat- and took in the breathtaking view. It was extremely peaceful, just me, the fresh air, and the mountain (and the tourist family taking pictures). It felt all that much sweeter considering the effort it took me to get there.
Despite a light rainfall later in the afternoon, I was determined to visit the top of Nelson Monument on Calton Hill. I made the tiresome trek up the tower steps, motivated by the painted "keep going!" "halfway there!" and "made it!" signs. I stepped out on the viewing balcony (admittedly a little short of breath) ready to take in the gorgeous view. What I wasn't expecting was to be standing amidst a full on blizzard. I stood pressed firmly against the tower wall while tiny bits of snow kissed my face, and I waited- the weather was demanding my patience. Instead of going back inside and taking cover from the storm, I laughed and let my hair dance with the raging wind. And soon enough the dark, storm-filled cloud passed and the sun shone again bright and beautiful as ever. The view was spectacular as the city beneath me became illuminated with light once again. I left with a huge smile on my face, all the wiser. This moment reminded me that something beautiful is always worth waiting for.
The next day I returned to London. I didn't bring home a kilt or a Loch Ness Monster stuffed animal (though very tempted), but I did bring back with me the knowledge that I can do anything I set my mind to and that nature is an eager teacher, but you must also be an open and willing student.
