I can't think of anything that would make me happier. Right now I am on a bus to Glasgow from Inverness. I'm not sure if you ever have these moments, but I have had them quite often since I have started traveling. You don't even have to doing anything huge and exciting. That's the beauty of it. It washes over you and you realize these are the moments in your life that are magical and special. Absolute happiness. My most recent moment just happened when I opened my eyes from a snooze on the bus and it is so green and lush and I am in the foothills/mountains of Scotland; you look out and there are all these hedges and little lambs chasing each other through the fields. I'm ACTUALLY doing this and have been for over a month! I can't believe it sometimes! You learn so much - not only about yourself and the courage you possess, but about people and so much more. My most favorite part is meeting all types of new people and making new friends.

I have had an eventful past few days- from Edinburgh to Inverness to the Isle of Skye! I flew into Edinburgh on the 10th - I was at my hostel before 9am! I got up so early to catch my flight. When I arrived it was rainy and cold. But I roughed out the rain and went on a 3 hour walking tour to get to know the city and some of it's history - kudos to the guide - he got soaked the whole time! Have I ever mentioned that I am cold ALL the time here? He showed us the Writer's Museum, Greyfriar Bobby's grave (famous little dog who sat by his master's grave for 11 years), graveyards (all the graveyards here are so pretty!) and their stories and then took us to a pub, where I tried a Haggis pie. It actually wasn't even bad! A tad spicy, but nothing a little Ketchup can't solve! Also, everywhere you go has their own brewed beer, which impresses me. I went with fellow walking tourers in search of live Scottish music. We went to Captain's pub, where there was an accordion, small Scottish pipes and guitar playing band. They were all quite young and play there the same night each week. Lots of old men in this pub- no young people!

On Friday (11th), I did a Hairy Coo tour. It's a free guided bus tour and works on tips! Pretty sweet - I got to see Wallace monument, the Highlands, some of the Loch lakes, hairy coos!! and we stopped off at Doune Castle, where Monty Python and the Holy Grail was filmed. Russell, our guide wore a kilt! I met Taylor from California and we went around together for the whole day and had a lovely chat over sticky toffee pudding.

(12th). It was sunny and gorgeous out! A perfect day to visit Edinbrugh castle! I love that it overlooks the entire city. A little expensive to go into (£17 with audio guide) but the view is so worth it. Like I mentioned before, I LoVE castles, so they never really get old - I love their mystery!

I met up with Taylor in the aft and we picked up Clare, a fellow Canadian to seek somewhere to eat. We went to Maggie d*** on's, a pub named after a lady who was hung and survived! On the way we met two Scottish men - one of them was in a kilt! They showed us around different pubs. On our way 'round we picked up an English couple as well as a professional bagpipe player dressed up in his full garb! We were quite the group! We also met one of the lead guys from 'The Red Hot Chili Pipers'. Fun night!

In the hostel (Caledonian Backpackers - it's AWESOME there - happening! Always pumping the music, free breakfast, Internet and computers to use as well as a cinema room with bean bag chairs, where I saw Moulin Rouge for the first time!) I shared a room with two Parisians, Audi and Rachel. Lovely girls - taught me a couple of words in French and they are going to show me around Paris! I asked them if French people are actually as mean as everyone thinks but they said a lot of them aren't the best at speaking English and are self conscious.

At breakfast I met Martin and Manuel, two Austrians. I liked em from the second I met them! I went on a walking tour to see the Underground Vaults, where the homeless/poor used to live years ago. They were forgotten about for a century, and rediscovered in the 70's by unassuming college kids. They are very dark and dank! And creepy.

After, I found the Elephant House Cafe, where JK Rowling wrote the majority of the Harry Potter books. I see why she chose this place - it's very inspiring, with a view looking out at the looming castle and beautiful graveyard. Apparently when she started writing she spent many hours there because it was warm and cheaper than paying for heat in her own home. I had to have an elephant-shaped sugar cookie! I met Mr. Alex Donald, actor/writer. Of course, being the nosey person I am, I had to ask what he was writing about. He was writing about the moment when you first meet someone and are attracted to their aura (not just physical appearance) but can't quite put your finger on why. I tried to help him brainstorm. If you figure put the answer...let me know! This spurred a three hour visit and he treated me to a hot chocolate! He also showed me JK Rowling's Edinburgh house. I saw her daughter!

Audi, Rachel, Martin, Manuel and I found live music that night - Rantum Scrantum at Captain's Pub. A lovely night with new friends! I decided to join the boys on a trip to Inverness in two days' time - so we booked. These are the magic moments I wait for and why I don't plan too far in advance!

(14th) The next morning I hung out with my Parisians and bought a cashmere scarf and saw how they weave everything together to make materials. My Austrians surprised me at Deacon Brodie's cafe at lunch. We sought out Tom Riddle's grave, checked out the Scottish museum and then conquered Arthur's Seat - a view of all of Edinburgh! Being the klutz I am with my non-grip soles, I slipped and fell completely on Martin, taking him out (we didn't want to take the easy way down) on our way down. What a gentleman. Haha.

(15th) My first train ride! Eee! I was so excited!! We arrived in Inverness, ate some nasty food, found a car to rent for the next day (only £33!) and explored. Inverness is a pretty, little place. That night we met some WEIRD Canadians- these are the people who give us a bad name! The crazy redhead was wearing a raccoon hat and raccoon tail pinned to the underwear she wore over her tights with suspenders. And she was serious...she was wearing her tail again the next day. And talked about wanting to visit fairies in the woods. I write only truth. Outrageous.

We drove over 300 miles total to go see Nessie (Loch ness lake gives off a strangely sweet, flowery scent!) and Neist Point on the Isle of Skye. I didn't do as bad as I thought I would driving a shift stick on the opposite side of the road in our little blue racecar! We explored Eilean Donan Castle and it's way bigger inside than it actually looks (restored castle on a lake). On the road to Neist Point I saw a hitchhiker (that we had seen before) and wanted to pick him up. So we took him there with us! When we got to the cliffs the boys covered my eyes and led me to the edge, making me spread my arms like a bird to 'show me the world'. When I opened my eyes I was looking over the cliffs out into the vast ocean where there were dolphins bobbing in and out of the water. It was very sweet. And no, they didn't think about pushing me! Haha. I think Canadian boys could learn a thing or two from these guys!

The lighthouse on Neist Point was neat. There was an opening in it and we went into the deserted Captain's Cabin...kinda weird that there is stuff scattered everywhere all over inside and hasn't been cleaned out. It was like the movies when people go into a creepy house and bad stuff happens. Rebels!

I did well driving til we got to town at the end of the day - I was so tired (and don't know how to use a freaking traffic circle) so I turned up the wrong lane. The guys were freaking out. Haha. But we arrived in one piece!

If you went to the train station in Inverness this morning you would have found a very sad Larae saying goodbye - they are headed to Ireland! The only thing that sucks about traveling. But - we plan to meet up in Spain and I will visit them in Austria!

Til next time...hello from Glasgow!

Larae :)