Letter From Scotland

For the first time in my life I find myself speechless at least several times throughout the day. Some of this is simply because I don’t understand a word the Scottish are saying and some is because I am so overwhelmed and thankful to have the opportunity to be here. I’m humbled by how big and beautiful the world really is…. “Toto we’re not in Shelburne Falls anymore”. I am in Edinburgh, Scotland on my debut UK tour supporting a run of dates for Rachael Sage at the worlds’ largest arts festival, The Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
 
Each morning I’ve been jogging along side the coast of Firth of Forth and looking out at the North Sea. Past fishermen and fish markets, past pubs that have just started to wake up for the day. I jog by brass ship bells ringing through the cool salty haze as sleepless lighthouse watchers try to discover whether it’s Sunday night or Monday morning. These are simple people who value the arts all around them. Actually I have yet to see anyone, other myself, talking on a cell phone here.
 
As I make my way into town, I am surrounded by beautiful stone buildings that make my grandmother seem young. I find street performers that include a blues guitarist, facebook “the musical”, modern dancers dressed as fairies, fire jugglers, and sword swallowing. I see bagpipers stand like a stoic on the royal mile as jesters flock by the castle (yes, a REAL castle). In a way I guess I feel like I am at Hogwarts, and in others I feel at home.