Last update 28-4-14

This will probably be the last update until I get home and go into detain of the things I have done so far.

London has been great in that the museums and plays have been great. The museums are much to big for me to fully explore and experience them thoroughly but it has been amazing none the less. I literally needed sitting breaks while exploring the museums because my brain was overloaded with facts. (it may also be a mix of the constant walking and lack of eating for the energy I am exerting)

The plays have all had something to take away from so far. Only thing I wasn't really excited about was the overall plot of a play called "The SSilver Tassie" but I think the acting was all great and I can really take something away from everything I have seen.

This trip has been great. I am happy I came with no expectations because it truly allowed me to take everything in without making judgements before hand. Something I will continue to try and do throughout my life. There of course are still things I've done that I regret no the trip, generally all dealing with finances but I've been handling looking past it pretty well.

Thank you to everyone for your support and all those who helped make my experiences possible.

I'll be posting pictures and details from where I left off soon!

quick update. 25-4-14

I'm in London now. I managed to find a couchsurfer to host me for a couple nights. I just booked a hostel for the rest of my trip. I have seen 3 plays and there is something to admire from all of them so far. I really enjoyed "Titus Andronicus" at the Shakespeare globe which was quite the experience. Somewhat informal atmosphere and organized chaos of the Theatre made it really exciting to watch and the acting really drew me into the play. It was slightly raining but completely added to the play being an open air stage for those unfamiliar with the globe Theatre.

I plan to just visit some museums and maybe catch a couple more plays if I can book them before they sell out. My last play will be king Lear at the National Theatre on Monday night which afterwards I will head to the airport and spend the night there since my flight leaves at 7 in the morning.

I shall post more in detail soon.

update 21-4-14

I am currently in Newcastle. I came from Melrose yesterday where I had stayed with David and Heather who I met on Iona. I was introduced to their late teenage kids and some of their friends.

I then came to stay in Newcastle with John who I met through couchsurfing and have had a nice conversation with last night.

I just realized I didn't do as much in Edinburgh as I'd liked for how long I was there for but I think I was just recovering from all that I have done haha.

I realize as I experience more and more, my experiences has far surpassed how quickly I am able to write and decided I will just give short updates until I get time to post more thoroughly and most likely I will crank out all my experiences when I get back to the states on the 29th. I don't know why it takes so long to write, though I assume typing on a cellphone is a lot slower than on a proper keyboard.

Anyway I feel as though I have changed yet haven't at the same time. As if a part of me that lay dormant inside is starting to emerge. It really is mostly just letting go of judgement but even though I am starting to feel the pressure of having to buckle down and work and being reintroduced to "normal life" again, it seems like another adventure, and all the issues that will reemerge aren't so bad anymore. I think the greatest thing I have gained thus far is learning to embrace life and all of its qualities, obstacles and all.

4th day on Mull

I got to wake up to the same clear sky I slept with so the scenes were just as sharp and clear. 

Where I took the starry picture with me standing in it. 

Where Orion was

Because it was such a nice day we took a photo together using Roy's tripod. 

And another. 

Same routine, we ate breakfast which is generally cereal and milk with some tea and then we were off!

Here are a bunch of scenes on the way!

Sandra wanted to get off here to admire the view and to film the birds. It's very nice. I got to see my first swallow in person. I snapped pictures of it but it was too fast. 

Same spot

Moved on further and stopped to identify more birds. I was drawn by the tall grass. 

Got out of the car for this. 

Went further on to find this

And this

More dramatic sheep and cool clouds

We stopped for 11sies and then they told me that there was a "Grey mares tail" nearby, which is a term for a single waterfall. So we all got out for a walk.

Grey mares tail, I hopped down the bridge for this shot. 

Other side of the waterfall

Further down the shoreline is a bigger waterfall! 

Roy and Sandra stood up top the cliff on the left side of the picture above and took in the scenery as well as probably observing my obsessive picture taking haha. We decidedto "walk on" and get back on the road.

I saw this single pink tree in the middle of nowhere and thought it was awesome. 

You can still see the pink tree on the left. 

Curving into the bay

And there it is. 

We parked here for another walk as well as lunch. We had something different for lunch today. Normally we have toast and cheese but we had tortilla rolls. I had mine with salami ham and cheese. Roy and Sandra had one with some jam as well but I didn't get one because I was away when they wanted to ask if I liked jam haha.

I took a walk before lunch and Roy and Sandra were just resting up. Sandra was observing me crossing a small river to get to the bay and seemed entertained by how slow I was probably haha.

The bay

I saw a giant rabbit hole. I wonder if it'll take me to wonder land... 

Approaching the beach. 

Which one do you like better? 

I ran out of camera battery and went back for my spare. Needed to get back for lunch too. Sandra had her video camera ready to film me crossing the river again and Roy had a camera out to take pictures of my attempt. It was easier this time around I crossed over quickly. Roy had missed his chance to take a picture as he was observing something and didn't expect me to run over so I re  crossed the river and stood on the stone in the middle of it haha. Sandra recorded all of this. She said so they have proof of my existence on there holiday haha.

While we were preparing for lunch, Roy told me to check out the bathroom and to look around and tell him what I thought. I was a bit confused and was expecting something profane or something haha. I went to go use the bathroom and looked around and couldn't tell what he meant. Suddenly this guy slowly emerged from the drain.

I was shocked to see this toad. Yes that is my pee.

Poor guy was getting peed on. I waited to see if he would crawl out since he was heading the direction but then reached the smooth end of the urinal and couldn't climb out. He seemed weak, who knows how long he had been there. He started turning around back for the drain and I ran to the RV to look for a plastic bag. Roy laughed when I confirmed to Sandra that there is a live frog in the bathroom. She thought he meant it was a mechanical one as a joke. She gave me a tortilla bag and I went back and he was half way down the drain with his bum up.  I could tell he didn't want to go down. He knew it was toxic. I didn't want to just grab him cause I didn't want to scare him down the drain so I waited a little while until he decided he didn't want to go down and stood above the hole. I slipped my hand in the bag and underneath him and let him climb on. Then I took him to the stream up the hill. 

Much better. 

He stood there for some time. He must've been very weak. Eventually he moved a little and then sped up for the edge of the stream and looked for a small pool to emerge himself in.

He will be fine. 

The sink wasn't working but I wiped my hands with a disinfecting towelette that Roy handed me and also told me to throw the bag I used away in the bin outside haha. Didn't think about it but yeah toads can carry diseases, especially ones that have been in urinal drains.

We had lunch and I had shown Sandra my photos of the toad. Roy also asked me if it is OK if we just camped here for the night. I said yes because it was beautiful and I can explore more and I could tell he was a little exhausted. But I was in no rush to go anywhere.

We all took a walk to the beach. Roy and Sandra found an easier route to cross the small river. We walked for a ways and then we parted as I went to go take my photos and explore and Roy and Sandra went the opposite direction I was drawn to. So on with the scenic pics.

This was cool. I wish I took more of it. I didn't seem to care for it at the time. 

Black waves, but clear water. The black are seaweed bits of some sort. 

Getting my shoes wet

I wanted to climb that rock on the left

(Next to the rock)

So I did! 

I must've sat here for about an hour before I got tired of it. 

I noticed this. It looks like a big shark like fish eating a small thing. 

The sun was going down and the wind started picking up so I went back. I saw holy looking light. 

I decided to pitch my tent early while I was out. 

I pitched it on high ground on a small cliff. 

Called it a day and waited for dinner. Sandra made... Hmm I can't recall anymore though I believe mushrooms were involved. The bad thing about posting too late I guess is I miss some details. Though there was so much already I know I have been leaving out. We chatted as usual and also planned on me leaving them the next day so I could catch the ferry to Oban and the bus to Glasgow. I decided that I was exhausted from sleeping outside although pampered by some extra warmth, food and transportation Roy and Sandra gave me. I guess I am not as seasoned enough for the outdoors haha.

We were able to have a long talk and I also helped Roy with some computer stuff. He had a thing that he could connect to his laptop so he could connect to the internet with his service provider so I set it up for him. We talked more about life and I discussed more about what I want to do when I get back home. There is a lot to do. I feel I have the motivation now though so hopefully it sticks with me.

Roy and Sandra was really supportive and I could tell they really were concerned and hoped things went well for me. Their children struggled with similar things as well. Their son Chris actually got his PhD in bio engineering if I remember correctly but ended up not using it for his profession because he couldn't find anyplace would allow him to do his research. He managed to find another way of using his brilliance though and worked his way up. His hard work paid off in the end. Even though he didn't get to be in the field he studied, he managed to find a good career elsewhere.

I think I need to stop following the roads that society believes to be the right or only way to happiness. My Theatre department and some professors all know that there is no right or wrong path and we are encouraged to find our own way but seeing as I was lost and I asked about those things, they gave me a path that they knew I would be interested as well as something that worked for them in the end in which most of them suggest pursuing a masters knowing I have some interest and skill in teaching... But I know that isn't all that I want to do. And all I think I was looking for was support in my ideas on what I should do... But I can't expect anyone to agree with my ways or support it because they don't want to support something unstable and be a part of the disappointment if it doesn't work out because I am sure as much as they wish me well, like any parent, they will suggest a proven route that has a higher statistical chance of success. But that's not what I want and I know I wouldn't get to where I want to be following a set path.

Like this trip, completely spontaneous and vaguely planned, it could have gone wrong in so many ways. But by taking a risk and realizing those risks, I tried anyways and was lucky enough to have gotten so much out of it. Perception is also another thing. Staying positive and open, I found the good within the bad and was able to see things from a broader perspective which all the friends I have met thus far have helped me see. I am bad at gambling but in a way, as much luck and coincidence was involved meeting all these wonderful people, there was an element of myself that also made it happen. Regardless of failure, there is always something to take away from the experience and really there have been many failures or things that did not go as smoothly or according to plan, but I managed to accept it, learn from it and move on. I knew all this, but it didn't click until I realized I have only myself to rely on in the middle of another country where serious help from family would be an inconvenience and difficult. But then I found so much help from so many people it made me also realize I am never truly alone. So as long as I enjoy what life has to offer I believe people can take away from that in me as well. Uist, someone you'll see later, discussed with me the joy I was giving him and Heather and that is why they helped me so much. I know now that everyone has helped me see that there truly is more to life than what we can see and/or do and it made me realize what some people really value beneath the surface.

More to come...

Current update 15-4-2014

I am currently in Edinburgh and have been here for the past two nights and was in Dundee for about 4 nights prior after I got back to Glasgow from Oban. I stayed in Dundee with Uist and Heather whom I met in Iona and am staying with Simon whom I met online.

I will leave Edinburgh on Friday for Melrose to meet David and Heather whom I also met in Iona. I just got another couch surfer to host me in New castle which I will be heading down to on Sunday and will stay there for a couple nights. I plan on going to York for maybe a night and then from there head to London and stay there until the 29th which I have booked a flight for at 07:00. I should be home in Utah sometime near 20:30 the same day.

There is a possibility of visiting Oxford since it was recommended by one of Simon's friends but I am still debating. I am also considering whether or not I should meet up with Roy and Sandra again if they get home before I leave Newcastle or York.

I was going to visit Susan whom I met in Iona but she is in the west in Garstang but so is Roy and Sandra.

I'll look at train tickets to decide ultimately but I have a set flight home which is the biggest thing. I get to go to London after all!

3rd day on Mull

I'm really behind on my posts now haha but I'll try and make haste. 

The next morning we set off to the next part of the island with a mix of bird watching as well. Sandra cooked up breakfast before we headed off. Her home cooking is good even though she jokes about using packaged and processed food for convenience in their tiny RV. As an American, I quite like processed things anyways haha. I can only imagine her cooking with fresh ingredients. Nom nom nom. 

On the post, hooded crows. 

The late morning scene

The bird in the distance is called a diver which literally dives into the water to catch fish. I had the pleasure of seeing one actually come up with one. These are somewhat uncommon to see. 

This little area we stopped on and off whenever they saw a bird haha

A harren, Roy and Sandra talks about its bony and prehistoric look. 

It's signature stance.

We kept going along looking for a sea eagle and some other birds on their list. We came across beautiful views as usual. 

So as long as the roads were clear, Roy was nice enough to stop for me to snap my pictures everytime I pulled out my camera haha.

We pulled off along the road where some other people were with their cameras and binoculars out. They were also looking for the sea eagle and heard it was sometimes around here. 

View behind. There were particular birds who nest along this side of the island on the cliffs. I forget what they are called but Roy and Sandra were interested in showing me. I managed to get a glimpse of one in the distance but not in a photo. 

We managed to spot a sea eagle in the far distance across the loch. There were a bunch of seagulls around which made it harder to spot but once you catch it with the telescope or binoculars its hard to miss. It's a very big bird compared to the gulls even at a further distance up in the air. The picture above only has seagulls in it. It was too far for my camera to catch. 

A little bird was hopping around and I asked Sandra what it was. She was excited to say it was a Wheatear which are a bit uncommon as well. 

We "walked on" as Roy always said to find a place to stop for tea/coffee or 11sies which is a small break for tea and biscuits.

We pulled over again because we spotted these Shags. Notice the bulbs on their heads haha. 

We found our place for 11sies and if I remember correctly we had lunch as well since we were a bit behind on time. Although we really were in no rush for anything in particular at all. 

This lake was behind the pictures I took above. 

We went into a nearby town to empty the toilet in the RV as well as stock up on some running water. The town we went their bathrooms were unavailable so we had to drive to another town which was actually where I arrived from Oban called Craignure

Roy did what he needed to maintain the RV and Sandra went off to the charity shop. After Roy was done and I was done washing my head in the sink, we met up with Sandra and I was introduced to my first charity shop which is a shop where people donate to so the shop can sell the unwanted goods for profit towards a particular charity. Usually for the local community to better the town.

I realized my return ticket back to Oban expired that day because when we got there the ferry was just taking off so I mentioned about it but didn't want to leave yet without seeing the rest of the island. When Roy heard this he said we should talk to the ferry office so we did. Row being the smooth talker he was convinced the young women to extend my ticket by four days without even paying! Those young girls had no chance against Roy's and charisma haha.

As we were going back I was talking to Roy about whether or not he did any acting because he has a lot of charisma and character. He said he never did anything apart from a parent play for his kid's school when they were younger. He talked to me about it and of course he played in a comedic bit. It sounded like he really enjoyed reminiscing about it. I think if he considered it, he would have been a great actor.

We went back to our camping spot and I set up the tent before dinner. This night we had an English breakfast for dinner which is somewhat similar to a typical American breakfast.  The only difference was baked beans rather than hashbrowns and instead of strips of bacon, it was a wider cut of bacon. then there was eggs, sausage and toast. Yum!

Ready for the night. 

Setting sun

We chatted more and I was happy to say with the Iddons there was never a dull moment. We talked more about my ambitions and my perspective on American culture and compared that with their thoughts on English culture. For the most part, they are similar in various ways. I learned more about them and their family and a little more about their time growing up. (just saying, specifics are all muddled up between nights since I do not know if I talked about these things this night or the next. )

It was getting late and so I went out to my tent. Then... I realized as my eyes adjusted to the darkness a little the sky was filled with stars! I tried taking pictures but realized I needed a tripod. Luckily Roy and Sandra had a couple and I borrowed their bigger one and told them about the clear night.

I stayed up for a couple hours playing and learning more about my camera as well as learning how to take nice shots of a starry sky. Afterwards I just sat at the opening of my tent admiring the clear night. To my pleasure, the longer I starred at the night sky, The more stars I saw. It was an amazing way to end the night.

Right from the opening of my tent. You can see the entire Orion constellation on the left and on the right was a strange cluster of stars. I remember seeing the clusters in San Francisco with my friends Colin and Bryan at Big sur and they referred to it as a cluster fuck which I mentally referred to it as as well. 

Took a few attempts but I managed to get myself in a shot. The light in the distance was a house with brighter lights than the others. I liked the effect it had in the picture though almost resembling a sunset. It almost looks like a fire in the distance as well. 

Another bright light in the distance, but it gives a more sunset like appearance 

I noticed a cloud passing by so I took a picture of it for some contrast. 

Up into the sky

Roy and Sandra's RV

It was great experiencing such a starry night. I slept very happily.