Travelling

Before you go into this blog post, I ask you ignore the fact that it's been a month since my last blog. If you don't, please keep in mind that it was a hectic month with getting my final uni assignments in, on top of work and travelling (which, is also what this blog post is about).

Anyway - for most of my teens, I spent a lot of time indoors. This was usually spent reading, watching movies, playing video games and writing. The only times I really got out was for a paper round I had for a few years, school, the odd social group and family trips out. But even despite these slightly reclusive years, I've always loved getting out and travelling.

This was further encouraged by lockdowns, where in the UK, we were stuck inside for months with only one walk a day. Being upset about not having the choice anymore, and wanting a change in lifestyle, I longed to get out more, which I'm happy to have done a lot of - especially the past few years.

Since December, I have taken up going on day trips here and there, whenever I've found the time, all successful in pleasure, enjoyment, and getting the hell out of my room! My first trip was to Aberdeen to do some Christmas shopping. This came around as I had finished uni for the semester and was feeling left of with my auntie, uncle and cousins all doing their own trips for Christmas related activities. Eventually, I decided to say 'screw it', and spontaneously booked a train down and back for that weekend. I was nervous at first, naturally, as I was going alone, but I was nowhere near as worried as my nan, who took a while to come around to the idea. But, I went and had a brilliant time! I got a good part of my shopping done, as well as visits to the art gallery (which was huge and something I'm still in awe from seeing), a walk through the Christmas market (which added to the atmosphere and something I wish they would do where I live) and a trip to a two floor Waterstones (complete with an in-store café). For a first trip, it went really well, though it was lacking in the social activities - something that changed with my next trip.

In February, I decided to book myself another train - this time to Edinburgh! What I did well in my Aberdeen trip, I did much better there! While it was a slightly longer journey, there was so much to see! Of course, my first stop was the Waterstones on Prince's street (where I nearly got lost, if not for Google maps), which has become a staple of my day trips so far (I often joke about doing this as a national tour of Waterstones). Afterwards, I explored the city for a while, checking out the shops and being careful not to get myself lost, until it was time to meet my friend. I have a friend from uni who used to own a bakery in Edinburgh, that I got in touch with, hoping to check it out, but unfortunately, they had closed down the bakery and sold the shop before I had a chance to check it out (selfish, I know). But, the place where there bakery had been, was now a queer café called 'Kafe Kweer' - a brilliant place, would be putting it lightly (honestly, I don't know what the best part is - it's inclusive, has a mini art gallery below, and the best soup I've ever had - after my nan's homemade vegtable soup)! But we met there and had a lengthy catch up over soup and hot chocolate. Afterwards, we had a little tour around, where we visited the parks and sites, until we got to the art gallery, where we parted ways. After the high of being social, the awe of the art gallery, and the fun atmosphere of the rugby fans that I didn't know would be there until a couple of days before I left, I had a great evening exploring the city before my train home, making it a more enjoyable trip for me compared to Aberdeen. The only downside was I never got a chance to check out the Doctor Who exhibit in the Museum before I left.

This takes us to last weekend! At the beginning of April, it dawned on me that it was the beginning of the end of my second year of uni. With only three more assessments left to get in, I began to decide how to celebrate when I finished. Of course, to me it was obvious - a day trip - the only question this time was where to. With Edinburgh and Aberdeen, I had already been there before, so it was like catching up with an old friend, or rereading your favourite book, so this time, I wanted to try somewhere new. I eventually decided on Dundee, because my granda was born and grew up there, but I had never been, so I wanted to see what it was like where he grew up - even if it had changed a lot. On top of that, I also had a few friends who live there, one of which, I was lucky to meet up with. So, at the start of the month, I booked my tickets and made plans which began as suggestions of where to go, but evolved to being social. Then I was off. I spent the morning there alone, visiting the V&A, the McManus, and the Howff, all of which were widely interesting, as well as Waterstones (obviously, at this point right?) before checking out the Overgate and the centre in general. It was a large centre, which I wasn't expecting and there was a local sushi place nearby called 'Susuhi' where I stopped for lunch (another travelling habit I've developed since Aberdeen). After my lunch, I met another friend from uni, who gave me a personalised tour of their favourite spots as we caught up with what we've been up to in the year since we last saw each other in person. I had a great time, learning a lot about both the local history of Dundee and the personal history of my friend - who is just as interesting as their amazing fashion-sense! It was a long day, but I had a great time - not even the fact I was working the next day couldn't ruin the atmosphere.

On top of the writing retreats to Orkney and Cromarty that I mentioned in my last post, I've spent a lot of time travelling and exploring over the past two years, all of which I have highly enjoyed. It's been a large help as well as I struggle a lot with anxiety, so leaving my room, trying new things and meeting some friends has been a massive help to my confidence and mental health. So if you have the time, money and desire, I would highly recommend travelling to places both you've visited and want to visit, and for day trips and longer. Overall, travelling has been an amazing experience for me and I'm looking forward to where I can't wait to see where I go next!

Photo's from Dundee