Mundane or magic.

Follow your feet, follow your heart. Determine the outcome from where you start.

Boarding the train, it was time to step back into the unknown. I had packed my bags, I had farewelled my friends, it was time to start again. What would this new chapter entail? With no answer and no desire to fabricate one, I let the motion of the train lull my heart as a heaviness overcame my eyes.

Taking a peek through the lashed openings I was spellbound by the passing sight. It was beautiful. It was also short lived. Exhaustion took over transporting me back into another world.

Jolted into reality, the train jarred to a holt!

I’d arrived.

Heaving a rucksack onto my front and another to my back, it was time to face the music. What a sight!

Stepping out of the station what I beheld was wonderful.

I was captivated.

Scottish character charmed my soul as I strolled the cobblestoned streets. Walking through arched walkways, I saw flowers bloom in sills as history hummed in the architecture. The new and old collided in chaotic madness. It was marvellous.

I walked for what seemed like hours. My bags were getting heavier and heavier and I seemed to get more and more lost in what seemed to be a perfect disaster. Laughing and chatting to a friend on the phone, we were both thoroughly entertained.

Eventually I'd made it - or so I thought!

The receptionist so very kindly offered to help off load my bags. I politely declined. This independent, stubborn soul didn’t need any assistance thank you very much.

Fool.

If only I’d known the path to my dorm. If only he'd shown me the stairwell. If only he'd told me my room was on the VERY top level when he'd offered to carry my bags!!

BUGGA!

Regretting my prideful decision, I eventually made it. What a relief.

Grateful my back was freed from the baggage, grateful I could take a breath in privacy, I didn't stay for long... it was time to explore weightless!

Magic seemed seemed to follow my every step. Choosing an undefined path, I started. Stumbling into locals, I heard their tales and shared some of my own. With laughter and intrigue we looked at each other with such curiosity.

The little 80 year old giggled. I'd just recited one of my bread poems. She loved it!!!

"I tink I'm goin' to put a loaf in the bred machine when I git 'ome! Homemade bred is wonderful. What a treat, what a treat it's been meetin' ya."

Uttered in a thick Scottish accent I couldn't help but grin from ear to ear. All I could 'tink' was the treat was mine and not hers at all!!

Parting ways and continuing on I met two University students. I learnt about Ceilidh's. My excitement of the prospect of going to one was undeniable. The traditional Scottish barn-like dance brought back memories of my rodeo days - I wanted to go to one!!! Unfortunately that fantasy would have to wait, the next Ceilidh wasn't scheduled till the following weekend and I wouldn't be in town. Ohh well. Parting ways with the PHD students I continued exploring.

I met another little old lady, Margaret. Passing me in the streets, I just felt I should say something to her. I quicken my pace.

With no idea where I was walking or going, with no agenda at all a conversation bloomed. What a wonderful time we had together. Little did I know she was a proud Scot, a historian, and apart of a special Women's Society! After learning I was an author and poet, she opened my eyes to another world. Proceeding to show me all the hidden secrets and gems within the old city. I was given one history lesson after another.

She took me to the Writers Museum. She showed me where Robert Burns stayed. She taught me of the original Jekyll and Hyde, where the womanising deacon lived and how he'd died by the gallows he'd created.

I was transported into another world.

Following the her footsteps, she stopped.

"This is where the Royal officials unlocked the sacred door to stand on the monument. I was a child. The took us out of school, and we saw him bellow,

'The King is dead! The King is dead! Long live the Queen.'"

70 years had passed!

Eventually parting ways, I had a new spring in my step. I started to expect the unexpected. Walking down the Royal Mile I was right to do so - the unexpected stopped me in my tracks! Moubray House stood before me!

In my family archives I'd read that some of my ancestors fled to Scotland after a Mowbray Duke tried to usurp the Crown... I couldn't believe my eyes. I spied their humble abode. I entered. I learnt it was the oldest active dwelling in all of Old Edinburgh. It was a historical site for the tours... They'd illegally kept it's name without paying ownership for its title... What excitement!

Parting with my family history, I not only a hop but a skip in my step as well. Finally I reached the cobblestoned paths end. There outstretched before me was the Royal Palace.

It just so happened there was a Royal Visit.

Intrigued after seeing the Scottish Guards' show, I stayed a little longer. I learnt of the proceedings that were to take place.

I met the 6 pipers that were playing at half 8.

I saw the royal red invitations as one of the 25 guests pulled up to the gate.

I met a fellow traveller and we spoke to the royal guard who told us about in paranormal comings and goings within the castle and palace as we waited… the haunted rooms, the locked history, the unspoken tales… we listed to the Scottish guard with delight.

The beautiful German traveller I'd just met, Olivia became an instant friend. Asking if she wanted to join me for dinner, I was instead invited to hers. It would be a night of games and then they were going to a Ceilidh.

A CEILIDH?!!! I couldn’t believe my luck!!!

Within the hour I’d met a room full of fast friends and before the night had ended I’d been swept from one side of the Celtic dance floor to the other.

I was definitely in the midst of magic!