Thanks for taking me on your travels! Travel lust! I don't know when I will travel again though I did travel this past spring! absolutely love those fancy grand architecture! Now, that's real living! Only if there's no ghosts and the piping is working! XO
Kasandra, I’m so delighted to hear that you lived vicariously through my Edinburgh travels! Before this year, it had been a long time since I went anywhere new, so I feel you there.
“Only if there’s no ghosts and the piping is working” 😅
Maddie, your Edinburgh adventure resonated with me on so many levels! That baggage claim fiasco? I've been there, frantically searching for a non-existent airport employee while my patience dwindles. It's funny how the smallest travel hiccups can become full-blown sagas. Your honesty about Airbnbs vs. hotels is refreshing. I've also had those "cold shower epiphanies" that lead to unexpected shifts in perspective.
You have a future career in travel writing if you want it!! This was a pure delight to read. WOW. I just said to Joe, "OMG she went to Isle of Skye, I can't wait for that newsletter!!!"
Completely agree about Boots. I always visit one when I go to London and I always think, why don't we have this in the states?!"
Oh gosh, thank you *so* much! For what it's worth, I almost didn't mention Boots...now I'm so glad that I did 🤣 I'm not the only one who's (rightfully) obsessed!!
When I visited the Fairy Pools on Skye, I was out of cell range and forgot to DM you, but I was thinking of you the whole time there. It was one of the most peaceful and magical places I've ever walked through—I definitely felt my mom's presence there, and it made me think that you might find your mom there too, when you and Joe get to visit yourselves. ❤️ Honestly, I'm so excited for you to visit!
Maddie, that’s so beautiful, I love that you had that experience. I teared up reading that. And I’m so touched that you were thinking of me and mom. Thank you 🫂🥹
Isn’t it funny how we fall into categories of hotel people vs rental people?
I’m a rental person. Part of my joy in travelling is going to markets and grocery stores, buying “vegetables to list after” and cooking them at “home.”
But I agree, cold showers would do me in, as well. 🙃
I've always rented Airbnbs with the *idea* that I'll cook...and I so infrequently do 😅 But you're 100% right: shopping and cooking can be such a fun (and grounding) thing to do away from home!
We tend to spend the days out and about with lunches and breaks in restaurants and bars, but dinner at “home.” That way we can crawl right to bed after last call! 😁
Because I’ve considered Scotland as a potential travel destination for a decade and I’m such a foodie, I’m glad to read about your experience in Edinburgh! I’m keeping a copy of this newsletter in my inbox in case stars align not too far in the future.
On the subject of imagination, it was a video of a snowy owl transporting her 4 younglings on her back while flying that captured my imagination. though it looked ultra cute, in a way I didn’t believe it was real! I mean, when living in a city, there are so many things we’re not in contact with that surprise us when we finally witness them, but on the other hand, was it a real video or something made-up by computer (AI) (and that would explain why I could hardly believe it). After a short search..it would appear it’s a fake. So really a product of imagination 😒
This makes me so delighted to hear...if you end up visiting, please do report back! It's a fabulous city and I hope you adore it.
I was so captivated by your description of the owl until I read the punchline—ha! 🙈 When I lived in Seattle, I was near a park that was habitat to a mama owl and her three babies. The highlight of my day was going for an evening walk and seeing how the babies were doing!
I'm so glad this trip has been so lovely, Maddie! And I don't know why anyone (outside of a group) would book an AirBnB. The whole point of a vacation is to not do housework or cook! (This is also why I need a vacation after camping.) Besides, I like room service...or at least knowing it's an option. And are they really cheaper than a hotel? (Not once all those fees and your labor are accounted for.) No, I'm not fancy. I rarely vacation and, when I'm on vacation, I don't want to work. LOL. Welcome to being hotel people. We know how to have a good time. 😘 xo
Sandra, despite being "not fancy," you *totally* know how to live the good life! I'm not at all surprised to hear that you're a hotel person. Thank you for welcoming me into the light! 😆💕
Love this! I studied abroad at St. Andrews about an hour north, and I have many special memories of time spent in Edinburgh. One of the most beautiful places.
Oh this took me back! 🤗❤️ What a refreshing share. So happy to read more about your trip! I'm back in Scotland now after my 5 weeks in BCN. Eventful time!
I'm so glad you had the luxury of time in Barcelona. Our coffee chat and walk together in Edinburgh was one of the absolute highlights of my trip abroad. You're the very best, Mariana—till we meet again! 💕
“…vegetables to lust after…”. Such a wonderful image!
Thanks, Kate! 🤗 So wonderful to see your smiling face last week.
Ditto that!
Thanks for taking me on your travels! Travel lust! I don't know when I will travel again though I did travel this past spring! absolutely love those fancy grand architecture! Now, that's real living! Only if there's no ghosts and the piping is working! XO
Kasandra, I’m so delighted to hear that you lived vicariously through my Edinburgh travels! Before this year, it had been a long time since I went anywhere new, so I feel you there.
“Only if there’s no ghosts and the piping is working” 😅
very nice photos!
Thank you so much—this means a lot coming from you, Skylar!
Maddie, your Edinburgh adventure resonated with me on so many levels! That baggage claim fiasco? I've been there, frantically searching for a non-existent airport employee while my patience dwindles. It's funny how the smallest travel hiccups can become full-blown sagas. Your honesty about Airbnbs vs. hotels is refreshing. I've also had those "cold shower epiphanies" that lead to unexpected shifts in perspective.
I'm very sad to hear that you can commiserate with me on the baggage claim fiasco + cold shower fronts, Alexander...but I certainly feel less alone! 😂
I also became obsessed with Boots and Dishoom on my last UK trip! Sounds like a fantastic trip so far.
We needed to chat anyway, but now we *really* need to chat—to compare notes on these two fabulous UK institutions! 😂
I WAS HANGING ON EVERY WORD.
You have a future career in travel writing if you want it!! This was a pure delight to read. WOW. I just said to Joe, "OMG she went to Isle of Skye, I can't wait for that newsletter!!!"
Completely agree about Boots. I always visit one when I go to London and I always think, why don't we have this in the states?!"
Oh gosh, thank you *so* much! For what it's worth, I almost didn't mention Boots...now I'm so glad that I did 🤣 I'm not the only one who's (rightfully) obsessed!!
When I visited the Fairy Pools on Skye, I was out of cell range and forgot to DM you, but I was thinking of you the whole time there. It was one of the most peaceful and magical places I've ever walked through—I definitely felt my mom's presence there, and it made me think that you might find your mom there too, when you and Joe get to visit yourselves. ❤️ Honestly, I'm so excited for you to visit!
Maddie, that’s so beautiful, I love that you had that experience. I teared up reading that. And I’m so touched that you were thinking of me and mom. Thank you 🫂🥹
Isn’t it funny how we fall into categories of hotel people vs rental people?
I’m a rental person. Part of my joy in travelling is going to markets and grocery stores, buying “vegetables to list after” and cooking them at “home.”
But I agree, cold showers would do me in, as well. 🙃
I've always rented Airbnbs with the *idea* that I'll cook...and I so infrequently do 😅 But you're 100% right: shopping and cooking can be such a fun (and grounding) thing to do away from home!
We tend to spend the days out and about with lunches and breaks in restaurants and bars, but dinner at “home.” That way we can crawl right to bed after last call! 😁
You’re a genius, I tell you!!
😂😂😂
(Please tell the others.)
Because I’ve considered Scotland as a potential travel destination for a decade and I’m such a foodie, I’m glad to read about your experience in Edinburgh! I’m keeping a copy of this newsletter in my inbox in case stars align not too far in the future.
On the subject of imagination, it was a video of a snowy owl transporting her 4 younglings on her back while flying that captured my imagination. though it looked ultra cute, in a way I didn’t believe it was real! I mean, when living in a city, there are so many things we’re not in contact with that surprise us when we finally witness them, but on the other hand, was it a real video or something made-up by computer (AI) (and that would explain why I could hardly believe it). After a short search..it would appear it’s a fake. So really a product of imagination 😒
This makes me so delighted to hear...if you end up visiting, please do report back! It's a fabulous city and I hope you adore it.
I was so captivated by your description of the owl until I read the punchline—ha! 🙈 When I lived in Seattle, I was near a park that was habitat to a mama owl and her three babies. The highlight of my day was going for an evening walk and seeing how the babies were doing!
I'm so glad this trip has been so lovely, Maddie! And I don't know why anyone (outside of a group) would book an AirBnB. The whole point of a vacation is to not do housework or cook! (This is also why I need a vacation after camping.) Besides, I like room service...or at least knowing it's an option. And are they really cheaper than a hotel? (Not once all those fees and your labor are accounted for.) No, I'm not fancy. I rarely vacation and, when I'm on vacation, I don't want to work. LOL. Welcome to being hotel people. We know how to have a good time. 😘 xo
Sandra, despite being "not fancy," you *totally* know how to live the good life! I'm not at all surprised to hear that you're a hotel person. Thank you for welcoming me into the light! 😆💕
What a glorious post! The photos, the food, the history, all of it, Maddie!
This means the world to me—thank you, my friend! 🤗
❤️
Love this! I studied abroad at St. Andrews about an hour north, and I have many special memories of time spent in Edinburgh. One of the most beautiful places.
When I'm back in Chicago, I can't wait to hear all about your time there! 🤗
Boots is the BEST! Never can understand why we don't have them in the US!
Founding members of the unofficial Boots Fan Club over here!!
Oh this took me back! 🤗❤️ What a refreshing share. So happy to read more about your trip! I'm back in Scotland now after my 5 weeks in BCN. Eventful time!
I'm so glad you had the luxury of time in Barcelona. Our coffee chat and walk together in Edinburgh was one of the absolute highlights of my trip abroad. You're the very best, Mariana—till we meet again! 💕
I need to add Edinburgh to my list!!!
Susan, you would *absolutely* love it there—I just know it! 🤗