Day Six: My Last, Glorious Day in Scotland

Being situated on the North Sea, one would think that Aberdeen's lifeblood comes from the sea. And while most of it's wealth does, the characteristics of many seaside towns aren't heavily present in Aberdeen's overall culture. The architecture alone draws enough interest, but I've been amazed by how the shopping industry of a normal city and the presence of many, many pubs has instead dictated the overall feel of the culture.

Having noted this discrepancy, Mom and I set out in search of the local fish market--or more accurately, the location where it's held, since it opens at dawn and closes at 8...that's AM, folks. We wandered down Market Street past the harbor filled to the brim with cargo ships and never saw hide nor hair of any market location. As most things in my travels go, this was a happy accident because we decided to just continue our walk and discovered an entire different section of the city across the River Dee. The buildings here were beautiful, but not quite so grand. Little shops and restaurants dotted the residential area, and it was here that we discovered another item on Mom's list to check off; she had been keeping her eye out for a local flower shop and until now, we had only seen shops selling premade boquets out of buckets on the sidewalk. So, imagine what a happy accident it was to find two flower shops on this side of the River Dee. We popped into a little shop and chatted with a very nice woman about the flower trade and where in America we're from. Like most local people we've come into contact with, the residents here seem to have an attachment to the states and at least outwardly don't seem to share the disdain I've seen many other countries hold for Americans.

Anyway, after our lovely chat, we took the bus back to city center and then out to Duthie Park. I was taken aback to see how large this park was. Here we found beautifully maintained walkways and the occasional family going for a walk in the gorgeous weather. We meandered our way over to the David Welch Winter Gardens, one of Europe's largest indoor gardens that features a Temperate House, Corridor of Perfumes, Fern House, Victorian Corridor, Japanese Garden, Tropical House and an Arid House (that was closed due to vandalism...boo!) At least I didn't come all that way to see cacti. I'm so glad we were in the area long enough to part from the typical sights in Aberdeen. This venue looked like a charming place to come fight off the blues during a long Scottish winter.

Having skipped morning tea (don't forget, we eat like hobbits and I didn't even mention second breakfast...or elevensies.) Mom and I were famished. After the long wait for our bus back to City Center, we decided to forgo anything new and stick with what we knew was good: Old Blackfriars Pub. We popped in for a bite to eat before meeting Emily on the square just outside.

Ever since Mom got her free Guinness glass, I've had a bit of envy. And considering the method most others choose to obtain theirs, I went with the road most traveled and left with my souvenir discreetly packed next to the excessive amounts of granola bars in my bag. Don't condemn me; I did it for John.

With not a Bobby in sight, we met Emily and made plans to take the bus back out to the beach to see if we could poke around a bit more and get closer to the lighthouses we had seen on our first day. By this time, my night owl sleep habits and the fact that I hadn't recharged with a nap the previous day were really starting to catch up with me. I had successfully avoided jetlag so far, but I remember nodding off while standing up, waiting for the number 15 bus. It was not pretty. I was about to concede defeat and beg for a room key to go take a nap at the hotel when our bus finally showed up and Mom and Emily assured me if I had to, I could sleep on the beach. At the moment, I was willing to take anything I could get.

I cat-napped on the bus and could almost hear the hallelujah chorus when I stumbled off at our stop and saw a sign that read: We Proudly Brew Starbucks Coffee! Yes! They should be proud! The Scots know their way around a great cup of tea, but when it comes to coffee, instant granules are about as much as you can hope for. It was depressing, really, if you stopped to think about it. Needless to say, I shuffled into the cafe, begged for a caramel macchiato...and there was much rejoicing. I have no remorse whatsoever. They may be a gigantic corporation, but GOD BLESS STARBUCKS!

Significantly more energized, I followed Mom and Emily out to the beach where I stopped to enjoy my coffee, the world becoming a brighter place all the time. After we had rested, we set out to explore closer to the harbor Mom and I had passed early that morning...just on the opposite side.

Remember what I said about happy accidents? And taking aimless walks? Well, put that one in the memory bank, because we stumbled across my favorite little residential neighborhood while meandering about near the harbor. It was bordered by the sea on one side, a beach on another, the harbor, where impressive boats enter and depart regularly, and on it's back side sat the ship yards. This little cluster of short, cozy houses just absolutely warmed my heart. I could see wives and children making these little houses into welcome homes for the men working on the boats. Just absolutely lovely. If John gives up his job to work on an oil rig in the North Sea, you'll know why.

By this time, we were all coming down off the energy burst at the beginning of our walk and still had a hike back to City Center. A trip back to the hotel for a nap was out of the question, so we hoofed it back to Union Street and popped into The Hog's Head for a pint...where I left with another souvenir glass. It's a good thing I didn't stumble upon this discovery earlier, or I might have created a habit that would prove hard to break once I got home. As it is, I'll leave my light handed habits in Scotland.

Emily had been craving pizza (I'm talking authentic Italian here, not Domino's) for a few days and since we were all about at our limit with pub food, we jumped at the opportunity to find something new for dinner. In a series of trial and error, we found a fancy italian restaurant that did take-away dinners on the side of their restaurant. While Mom and Emily ordered, I reconnoitered and found a park to sit down on a bench to eat. It might have been my favorite meal yet. This particular park was in a residential area; we watched locals walk their dogs, stopping to chat with each other and a group playing an informal game of soccer while we enjoyed some phenomenal pizza and garlic bread. This is the life, folks. It was already a top night and to make it even better, we stopped for a sticky toffee pudding on the way home. Between the three of us, it probably took less than two minutes to inhale that delicious treat...and I'm not ashamed to admit it.

Back at the hotel room, we received a surprise offering; an extra set of towels from housekeeping sat outside our door like a gift from Saint Nicholas! The entire week, housekeeping had been servicing the room, (even when we put out the do not disturb sign) and had taken three sets of towels and left two. Meaning, every night we had to explain to the front desk staff why we needed more towels (greedy Americans!) It became a running joke as the responses from the staff varied from: "Ok, Leave a note then." *click* to "What? Goodbye!" By the time I left, I think we had accumulated five full sets of towels, including as many bath mats. It was a nice lesson in: Just because we both speak English, doesn't mean we can communicate.

Tomorrow morning I leave Scotland and just like my departure from the states, it is bittersweet. If my husband and babies were here with me, I would never want to leave. And maybe that's why I was sent without them. Because, as it is, I am giddy with excitement to see John when I come through the arrival gate in Pasco and I cannot wait to hug and kiss my girls when they wake up in the morning. Next time I will just have to bring them with me. Then you'll be seeing the post titled: "How We Moved to Scotland and Bought a Distillery"

Drinks all around!