26 November 2012
Walking Down The Royal Mile
The first thing I want to say is that I love Edinburgh. I want to make that clear before I say anything else...
Last week I was on holiday all by myself in Edinburgh, a city I have always been able to see myself living in. I stayed at Craigwell Cottage again, one of my favorite places to stay.
Did I have a good time? Yes and no.
It took me a few days to get back into a city rhythm after being on Iona for so long. I had a feeling it would. Also...the last time I was in Edinburgh, I shared Craigwell with a friend of mine (see "Silly in Edinburgh" Part 1 and Part 2). A very different holiday experience.
I cooked for myself all week which was lovely and cost effective...but it was sort of lonely. What makes a city fun is sharing it with friends. It sort of reminded me of my lonelier moments in NYC. You can be surrounded by people and feel more lonely than if you were out in the middle of nowhere by yourself.
Funny, isn't it?
I felt the most balanced when I was meeting friends out at pubs and cafes. The house did feel empty upon my return though. I'm so used to sharing my space with others now. Don't get me wrong...having my own room is a blessing...but there needs to be a balance. Having alone time and loneliness are two different things.
One of my fellow Iona vollies, Dawn, said that I must make sure to keep some sort of "urban skill" which I think is good advice. I just think I might do it a little bit different the next time around.
These are gifts...to be learning even more about myself. Another thing Iona has given me.
XO
P.S. I'll share some photos of my cooking adventure the next time ;)