The Scotsman
The entire week was of mixed emotions.
On Tuesday, I had a Shakesperean experience with The Tempest. The play was enacted in the same archaic manner it used to be performed in the 16th Century. The actors were in their traditional costumes and the music was by a choir with weird make-up. All special effects were just like in the old days. The performances would put any professional film actor to utter shame. Thankfully, I had read the story before and hence I had minimal difficulty in understanding the context of the Old English used. And in the end, all actors broke out into a dance and all of them looked merry and gay. It was so wonderful to see people actually do what they love. I came back tired from this new pain that I have developed in my ankles. It is all the fault of all the walking that I do in this city. :-P
On Wednesday, I met up with the new people who have shifted into the hall. For the first time, I actually felt I had company. Guillem, Barbara, Megan and Hunter are really fun to hang around with and I feel sad that I met them up so late in my stay. Unfortunately, I can't go out with these guys as they have just arrived in the city and the next weekend will be my last in England. Today was actually the day when I thought I was with my IITian gang again. I laughed like the monster that I would do. I made them hear the audio that pc had recorded. We commented on the weirdest things possible, like washing machines and dryers, amount of fat in the biscuit, tv sitcoms etc.
On Thursday, Bombs were blasted literally, as London was rocked by small explosives on its transport system. Imagine what would happen if Mumbai's local trains were halted, all of them!! That is what precisely happened and the whole city was walking the streets. I was in my lab when Dr. Hill walked in with the bad news. In general, he is the most cheerful guy you will ever meet and we always have good conversations whenever we meet. He is the guy who wouldn't stop even if you said Bye!! However, on that particular day, He said, "If you happen to meet Yann, tell him he should call up his parents". But he didn't say anything to me. Now, I know, I should not read too much into this, but something irks me. I feel that there is something amiss in this whole scenario. Even Shweeeetu called up from DeutscheLand and it was such a wonderful feeling to hear a familiar voice on the other end.
On Friday, I left for Edinburgh, inspite of all my relatives asking me to stop moving around and concentrate on my work. The journey was all night long and I met this friendly Scotsman who was someone like what Morgan Freeman was in Bruce Almighty. Ok...So he was not GOD!! But the moment I started conversing with him, it all seemed so very familiar. It seemed like I had known this person for ages and he was like my GodFather. We discussed about Indian Food, Scottish feelings for England, the Scottish language, all the things to do in Edinburgh, Scottish souvenirs to take home. I had to bid adieu to this guy at the station where I had a familiar type of coffee...Filter Coffee!! It was 7 am and the sun was blaring hot. I walked around the city for a while taking some photos and waiting for the tourist information centre to open up.
The first stop was the Edinburgh Castle, majestic and beautiful in its own way. The Scottish Heritage Centre was a treat,although I couldn't buy the small bottles of whisky I had promised myself. Instead, I bought lots and lots of Scottish biscuits that I am yet to taste!! I also went to this weaving centre where they showed the art of making kilts (Scottish Man Skirts). The next stop was No-Man's Land, literally, as the Roslin Village was like a dot in the middle of nowhere. The bus stop is on an empty road. Feels like the cross-section that can be seen in the CastAway (when Tom Hanks delivers the packages). The Church was beautiful and is the same one that concludes the Da Vince Code...hehehehe....that was the reason I took the 1 hr. walk for. The Royal Yacht at the Ocean Terminal was a modest, large boat, although didn't do inside. A serious walk awaited me again as I walked the Royal Mile, saw some really beautiful sculptures and that is when I decided that Edinburgh is definitely the place I would like to settle into if I had the chance. The main Hill was in sight and as I had time to kill, I decided to trek the whole way up with my bhoja. I did that pain-stakingly simply because the paths were all mixed up and I finally made my way up after asking a couple who were making out really furiously to move out of the way.......hilarious....indeed.....hahahahaha!!!. The view from the top was like on the top of the world. I listened to a 25 minute Pink Floyd piece and the wilderness so was pleasant, so much far away from any bombs, so much far away from people.
The journey back home was rather tiring and I slept the whole way back even when the sun rose at 4:30 to wake up all the tired souls on the bus.
I have realized something.
I think I want to be a Scotsman.
I have absolutely no clue as to why?
On coming back home, I slept like a baby.
The 5 week-old pain in my ankles is mysteriously gone.
What should I know?
What should I know?
....I know...
- "Bedshaped" (Keane)
posted by Rahul @ 1:03 PM
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