Woke up to a rainy morning here in Skipness. Also to over one hundred views in the past 24 hours! I'm about to hit two thousand page views since I've left, and we have added followers in France, Spain, Germany and Ukraine since last week. This is still a tiny little blog, with no quirky "thing" to attract anyone other than my family so it's a bit surprising!
I have been to five countries (will be six), and twelve cities; all with just one rucksack. It's been seven weeks so far, with two to go and man am I ready to be back home. Not that I'm not having the time of my life, I am learning tons and loving Scotland. But there are people back home I really miss, and I am ready to sleep in my own bed. I'm only going to be home for two nights before galavanting off to New England for a month though... But it's still the US. There's froyo there!
So for those of you following along for the travel advice, I might be able to help you out with this post. Quite a few things are different than from what I thought, but I'm glad for all the preparation I put into this trip.
My rucksack has changed a bit since day one. It's without the packing cubes and shoes in this photo.
Probably doesn't look it to anyone other than me, but when you're carrying your life like a turtle, you pay attention to every tiny change. I've dumped the travel sheet; it was too bulky and I never needed it. Haven't needed the rain cover either, but that was $40 and it's small so I've kept it. I wish I had brought a travel towel, renting in hostels has gotten expensive. Picked up a couple tiny souvenirs, didn't have much room for anything bigger than five ounces. The packing cubes were definitely my best investment other than the pack itself.
I've added a soft shell jacket to the mix, thanks to Mandy bringing that over last week. Scotland and Iceland were my only countries following her visit so it worked out perfectly to have it later. Glad too, it's only 50 degrees today, we have the wood stove on in the living room.
Because I only have two flights left, both with Icelandair (who allows two free check in bags, woohoo!!), I added a small carry on bag so I can bring back a few bigger souvenirs.
When I was preparing for this trip, I of course read tons of blogs for advice and one of them said you should do your spring cleaning before you leave, and get rid of everything you haven't used in the past year. Because when you come back, it will make you sick how much stuff you own. And now I understand why. I did a bit of that, but the amount of rowing tshirts alone in my closet will make me feel guilty when I return. I've always been a light packer (not this extreme though), and when I would move from home back to JMU I stressed about how much stuff I thought I needed. But I really didn't need it. My laptop, a travel mug, more books, and a never ending supply of chocolate or peanut butter sandwiches would make my life easier on this trip, but I've gotten along just fine without those things.
My greatest difficulty while being away has been to stay in shape. Walking everyday has kept me fit, but my version of in shape includes lifting and rowing almost everyday... So it's been a struggle. I've been able to run a bit here and there, but when you're only in a city for three days you want to see as much as possible! Now that I am stationary for two weeks, it's much easier to get back into the groove; ran for a half hour today and boy did that feel great! Ended in a downpour on my way back though. Oh Scotland... Tomorrow I will take my phone so you all can see the amazing views from my running path. Get excited!
Today was mostly chopping firewood and ducking out of the random rainshowers with my books. Tonight will be dinner with the whole family and semifinal Cup game!
Until tomorrow;
Go out and eat the world!
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