It’s felt like years since I packed my two suitcases with my most precious belongings, said a tearful (or in my case, I was sobbing) goodbye to my family and headed off for a year in Scotland. Those last few weeks in Denver were such a blur; I started off slowly packing away my things and getting rid of junk. I sold or gave away some of my clothes, dabbled with giving away my shoes and stored a few sentimental trinkets here and there. As the days flew by, I found myself with only three more days to spend with friends and family, all the while still needing to get rid of any excessive belongings.  It was panic mode time. I must work well under pressure, because I somehow managed to purge everything and have some time for everyone on my “to see before I leave” list.  My seven year’s worth of living in Colorado was now condensed into two measly, but hefty, suitcases that barely skimmed through the airport at 49 lbs. I was ready for takeoff.

It’s been five months since living in Glasgow, Scotland and I can honestly say that this time of the year has made me increasingly homesick. I miss the dry, cool air of Colorado winters that bites your skin a tiny bit to remind you you aren’t dreaming. I miss the Colorado snow, and how every step you take, you can feel and hear the crunch of the fresh powder underneath your feet. I miss the sunshine,  the way it bounces off the snow and reflects back onto you, making any 20 degree weathered day remarkably bearable. I especially miss my friends and family; the mom and daughter bike rides followed by Mod Market lunches, the hardcore climbing sessions at the Movement Denver with my climbing buddies, and girl’s night with Bweza, Carly and Niki or having crazy adventures with Deshae. The holidays, although I’m normally especially cheerful for Christmas, has made me miss all this and much more.

However, I can’t say I miss Colorado because I’m not having a great time in Glasgow. In fact, it’s the opposite. Glasgow is my home away from home. Since beginning a new chapter in my life, Glasgow has given me the opportunity to truly understand what traveling and discovering yourself is all about. Although I obviously knew Angus and his family, I came to Glasgow with a fresh start. I began my master’s program not knowing a soul; it was like college all over again. I didn’t know the south side of the city very well, since I spent most of my study abroad period exploring the west end and city centre. I wanted to go climbing, but didn’t know where to look. So I sought these out. I cycled to and from the University and to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, each about 4 miles away from my flat. I even signed up and ran a half marathon, something I never thought I was capable of doing. I made friends with my classmates, and got elected as class representative. I signed up for a gym membership to the university gym, and also signed up for their mountaineering club. I started going to their meetings and some of their climbing sessions, and made friends with the president of the club and we now go on weekly bouldering sessions with some other members. Over the past five months, I somehow have learned to dance in a ceilidh (or well, at least I’m not stepping on Angus’ feet anymore), understood the Glaswegian accent and can cycle my way through on the left side of the road. I’ve learned about myself in my ways, with one thing in particular: I am capable of adapting.

My favorite parts of living in Scotland is having the chance to escape the city and go out into the Highlands. For the holidays, Angus and I have been spending our week visiting his dad and his mom, both located on the west coast of Scotland. His dad lives in the Isle of Bute, and his mom lives in this wee village called Loch Carron. Both are beautiful and magnificent in their own way, and my favorite part about it is the community and lack of tourists.  There, I got to explore the outdoors and find hidden waterfalls  and beaches that, in my opinion, are much more beautiful than any other one ridden with people.

As much as I miss Denver, I know that it will always be there for me. But for now, my home is in the beautiful city of Glasgow, Scotland and I’m proud of it. I’m willing to endure the rain and cold, so as long as I’ve got my bottle of whisky, a warm jacket and a beautiful countryside to explore. By the time 2016 rolls on by, I’ll be ready to discover myself more and travel often. Happy Holidays!
-V

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