During J's last visit to Canada in April 2018, we planned for me to travel to him next. And let me tell you, I was so excited but also so nervous! My past travels and plane rides had been short and within Canada and the U.S., so to travel solo to Scotland was a whole new adventure for me. Knowing that J had already done the reverse of my trip (Scotland to Canada) also helped with any nerves I had because he could tell me what to expect going through the airports. For our first 3 trips, we flew with Air Transat and the flights were direct. Unfortunately, after 2018, all the flights with Air Transat had a connection between Vancouver and Toronto, but that's a whole other story!
With my carry-on bag and purse packed, I departed B.C. and was on my way to Scotland. For this first flight, I was in the window seat which I both loved and hated. I liked being able to see out as it turned from day to night (my flight left in the early evening) and when we finally landed. The overall flight was about 8 hours and I spent my time watching the in-flight films, listening to music with my eyes shut (I couldn't sleep), and deciding the best time to use the bathroom without disturbing the two people next to me. Overall, my first flight to visit Jordan was pretty uneventful and smooth. I was so ready to be off the plane when we landed... I desperately needed sleep, to stretch my legs, and some decent food.
During my visit in late August, the weather was typically Scottish... unpredictable and ever-changing throughout the day. The days were filled with wind, sun, rain, and clouds. But you know what? It was the best trip! I loved every second of my time in Scotland and wouldn't change a thing.
J took me on local walks, to the beach, flower gardens and bakeries, tourist spots, and more! My favourite thing was seeing the beautiful buildings everywhere and taking the train to cities like Glasgow and Edinburgh. We visited the zoo, explored cities, saw castles, and walked so much! J booked us a hotel so we could explore a further-away city for more than just one day, and it was incredible. It allowed us to feel more at home in a new place... and the breakfast was amazing!
Like previous visits, J and I also spent time just being together. We lounged around the house, did mundane shopping trips, and enjoyed our time together. One thing I noticed was the importance of also taking time for ourselves... even just 30 minutes. I think it's easy in a LDR to feel like a visit has to be packed from arrival to departure with things to do, and while that is fun and makes up for lost time in some ways, it's also just as nice to slow things down and act as if you're always together. For example, during my visit J played games with friends on discord while I spent time unwinding and catching up with family at home. It didn't feel like lost time - in fact, I would argue it was time well spent!
My stay in Scotland with J was better than I could have imagined. I loved every moment I was there, no matter the weather or what we were doing, and I (almost) didn't want to go home. I mean, I never want to leave J when a visit comes to an end, but it's hard feeling pulled in two directions (being in Canada with my friends and family, or being in Scotland with J). I left J's house September 4th and arrived home in the evening, only to wake up and start my next semester of school in the morning. It was a crazy 24-48 hours between being in Scotland one and completing my first day of classes the next while feeling incredibly jetlagged and sad. But I made it through, and J and I luckily had plans for our next visit!
Canada 2019, here we come!
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