September 28, 2024            Saturday, 12:00 Noon Scottish Time

I am on my own in Scotland for the next four nights. At this hour, I am onboard an express train bound for Waverly Station in Edinburgh. It is a cloudy day. Visibility at the moment is less than a mile.

The train is very crowded. The riders were very gracious, extending to me their assistance. Some riders are having to stand. Those around me made certain I had a seat and a place for my luggage. The Scots are a friendly lot.

We have just pulled into Pullmont Station.  I briefly saw a memorial sign for a disaster that occurred there in the 1980’s.

Visibility has improved, though the speed of the train and the way I am sitting make it difficult to sightsee.  I risk becoming car sick or triggering a migraine.

We are now at Lithgow Station. Out of the window, there is a structure that could be a church or a castle. It has a modern gold steeple. I will need to explore further.

I think the next station may be Haymarket, though I am going to go on to Waverly. I need to stow my luggage for a couple of hours. I cannot get into my room until 3:00 PM. Btissam is away for a few days. There are instructions to follow on the Airbnb site.

I might as well wander about and get a feel for where I will be staying for the next few days.

September 28, 2024               Saturday, 7:20 PM Scottish Time

I have settled in at my Airbnb destination. It is cute, clean, and has what I need for four nights. The only drawback tonight is that it is cold. There does not seem to be any heat on. Hopefully, the extra comforter I found in a cupboard will be enough overnight. If not, I will contact Btissam. She is away taking care of her ill mother.

I can hear noises from the attached apartments. Nothing that is out of the ordinary. It is something I will need to adjust to and factor in as the way it is.

I did end up continuing on to Waverly Station. It did take me a bit to get acclimated and feel comfortable in my surroundings. Once I did, I left my luggage in a storage place and then looked for a place to eat. I came across St. Jame’s Place which is a high-end indoor mall. On the fourth floor there, I chose to eat at Gordon Ramsey’s restaurant called Street Beef. I had a seat at a table from which I could look out and watch the people on the mall. I had a hamburger and fries and a bit of Talisker Whiskey and a Fevertree Ginger Beer. It was all good, though once again the amount of scotch leaves a lot to be desired. Before picking up my luggage, I bought a bottle that should see me through four nights. I don’t intend to spend money on such a small amount of drink. That is a disappointment.

The walk from Waverly Station to here was about 25 minutes. It was harder than I would have thought. I did make it here in one piece. It reminded me of the time I went to Washington, D.C. to testify before a congressional subcommittee as regarding the homeless mentally ill. I had to walk quite far from the train station to where I was being put up in a communal situation for the night. I was only there overnight. I remember how surreal it all seemed. That was 1982-83.

Here I was once more in a large city, trapsing along with my luggage to a destination unknown. At least, in this situation, I had a cell phone.

I am alone tonight in a strange city in a foreign country. It seems remarkable to me—quite unbelievable. It is a very big step in my new life after 75 and without Vivian or anyone else in my life—no community, no family, just me.

On that note, I will get ready for bed and have an early night. Hopefully, I will be able to sleep.