We’ve had a great Thanksgiving over here, although everyone missed you a lot. They love your blog and say for you to write more. Tell us soon about the people you’re meeting. they sound like interesting folks, especially if they’re willing to go skinny dipping in Loch Ness!

Love, Dad

I love posts like this keep it up. I’m glad to hear things are going well.

Brad

Glen Nevis…I’m gobsmacked. Your grandpa will be tickled pink. You’re doing something I’ve always wanted to do, Ben. Amazing.

Mom and I are still walking on air over Obama’s win. People in town were having spontaneous street parties up on Broadway and down at the Market; hugging strangers, dancing, crying. I don’t think I can get my head around how big this is, how important. Mom and I are talking about where we want to be on inauguration day. We were already planning to celebrate W’s exit. Now? Now I think we have something amazing to celebrate along with it.

Keep having fun over there. Keep meeting people. It’s an interesting time to be an American abroad. Absorb it like a sponge.

We miss you lots. Tell our Cameron cousins (distant) hi for us. Love, Dad

I gather you’re in or approaching Glasgow, weather permitting. I hope Scotland is kind to you. Remember what Bilbo said: “I know I’m on an adventure when I wish I was home.”

Love you, Kiddo!

And I am so familiar with that horribly self-conscious, ringing-in-the ears self awareness that can swamp you when you’re by yourself in a strange place with strangers. It can feel like all your borders have been razed and whoever it is that is You is leaking away into nothing. Sometimes, it’s helped me to turn my focus outward as much as possible. Make up a back story for the guy on the next pub seat or the family on the bus; Create a mental running list of “they say crisp/I say potato chip” or “things I would never see in Seattle”; Even make up an entirely new story for yourself…you could after all be anyone. (though generally better to stick to the truth when actually talking to people as I have learned from mortifying experience) For me, one of the best things about travel, which is so NOT a vacation, was an opening up of that sense of the limitless number of selves/lives we all carry around with us.

When things get really rough you can always tell yourself that you’re changing who you are for the better in ways you’ll still be understanding years from now (which is most likely true and definitely comforting) and then go have another Guiness, you lucky sod. As to junkies and terrorists, it’s funny how often you can absolutely know that you will love something in retrospect if only you didn’t have to actually experience it in the present. I will tell you my train story, an embarrassing epic of monumental cluelessness, when you get back as I can’t face it on a public forum. Keep writing, for us if not yourself. May the best of your past be the worst of your future

All my love and(completely good natured and supportive) envy, xx Lo

I was on my way back from L.A on Amtrak one time when this normally affable drunk starts claims he is going to kill everybody one the train. He starts screamin about how he’s from south Philly and to back up off of him because-again-he’s going to kill everyone on the train. He kept reaching behind his back like he had a gun, but I could clearly see he didn’t. I think they kicked him off miles away from our next stop.

The next morning some guy who was about 6′4″ 300+ pounds started yelling and complaining that these kid’s DVD player was too loud. The lady behind me yelled at him telling him to stop because he was making the kids cry at which point he turn and started coming towards her. Being a decent human being I stepped in between him and his soon to be victim. He looked like he was gonna crush me. But I really couldn’t let him beat up some lady especially with her baby right next to her. Luckily I stalled until security could escort him to a different seat. Everytime I walked by him for the rest of the trip he would look at me like he wanted to rip off my head and shit down my next.

Point of all that is, trains are a good time no matter where your are and are full of lasting memories.

Keep writing, Bum. It’s good stuff. And if you get homesick, check out my blog for some good laughs.