Flash Forward: Scotlandia

A bit more still to come on Berlin, and a quick swoop through Belgium before we catch up to my present-day United Kingdom environs... But in the interim, I cobbled together a li'l video (as I do) and some pic-a-tures from this weekend, a tremendously soul-feeding time out with some of the best and loveliest folk I got. After the jump: Glasgow! Or more precisely, Craigengillan, Loch Ken, and Dalmellington.

NOBODY KNOWS HOW TO HAVE A BAD TIME WHEN THEY ARE NEAR A HORSE. Also, pretend the horse in this picture is Sarah's boyfriend Mark, who was in the midst of cycling 60 miles down to join us for waterskiing. What's life anyways.

Believe it or not, I did a terrible job remembering to turn the camera on this weekend, apart from the obvious "MUST CAPTURE AND PRESERVE PLAYING WITH HORSES AND THE SKIING UPON THE WATER" moments. Not in that pile of snippets: a glorious and expansive high tea at our friend Ros's cottage, a grand and friendly birthday party in a Glasgow pub, numerous delicious vegetarian meals (including some of the best Indian food of m'life), and hours upon hours of conversation with these marvelous folk. Friends: I highly recommend them!

Normal style pals making normal style faces on a boat, as is our CUSTOM

Anyhow, it was a stellar set of days. With lots of time in my friends Sarah and Mark's flat, around Glasgow, and hiking a nearby estate (well, hiking or running I guess), the highlight was visiting our friend Ros down south of the city for some horse riding and waterskiing. I joined in the former, but opted out of the latter due to Extremely Gross Sickness (I remain grateful to people who put up with me when I'm all sniffly and blerghy).

Sarah and Ros, the first two skiers of the day. They were champs.

Friends for over 15 years, getting closer and closer to half my life. Flatmates once upon a time and witnesses to major life chapter shift after major life chapter shift, it's always amazing to catch up with the people who know you well. ON A BOAT.

This is Emily. Emily had never water skied before, and not only got up on her boards, but crossed the wake and back in both directions, which led our instructor to grow very suspicious of her claim to have never skied before. His mistrustful nature couldn't dampen her enthusiasm, though, as she's seen here beaming right before she chowed down on some celebratory flip-flops.

Skyline on the return to Glasgow proper. A weekend well run. A heart full. A sense of gratitude for the humans that are put into your life at the right time. A beard full of pigeons.