Arriving in Scotland was such an amazing feeling. Since I’ve never flown to another country before, I’m soaking in every second of being here. On the first day, we walked all along the famous Royal Mile, seeing the different Edinburgh Fringe Festival venues, shops, restaurants, and of course, national landmarks like Edinburgh Castle. What took the most getting used to were the Scottish accents. They’re very thick, so understanding the locals’ “lingo” took some adjusting. I also learned that the locals really do wear kilts, and leisurely at that! After only hearing about kilts and the culture behind them, it’s amazing to see it in person.
Last night, we went to the Military Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle, and it was my favorite thing we’ve done so far. I went with my company, Yonder Contemporary Dance, and it was a blast despite the chilly night air. The Military Tattoo is a performance in front of the castle that celebrates Scotland and its culture while also paying tribute to other countries. They had a marching band, a regiment of soldiers, and even dancers from a few countries! The United States was one of the countries being showcased. The U.S. chose to show off their precision skills in rifle handling, followed by a colonial marching band behind them. It was very cool! But the showstopper was definitely Scotland’s tribute, as the soldiers were all dressed in kilts and played their bagpipes. This was an experience I’ll never forget!
I’m still experiencing so much in Scotland, and getting to perform in the Fringe Festival every day has been such a blessing! One of my favorite things to do is stop at a café after sightseeing before heading into a performance. I love spending that quality time with my fellow company members. I’m hoping for a successful rest of our show runs and to feel ready when it’s time to leave, although right now, I’m not ready to go!