Hey Everyone!
Can you believe it's already been a year? Time flies when you're having fun, or in my case, embarking on a grand UK adventure. So, it’s been a year since I traded the bustling streets of Madras for the historic lanes of the UK. And what a rollercoaster of emotions and experiences it's been! From the nervous excitement of stepping off the plane in Manchester to the warm, welcoming vibes of my new home in Lancaster, every day felt like I was living in a scene straight out of a blockbuster movie. You know, the kind where the protagonist moves to a new country with stars in their eyes, a suitcase full of dreams, a spring in their step, and, of course, a whole lot of confusion about the local weather.
Now, Lancaster is lovely, but before I could even really settle in and finally figure out, the sudden urge to say "mate" at end of every sentence, my wanderlust kicked in. Why not turn the adrenaline up a notch? First stop on the Raam’s UK tour? Edinburgh. But not solo, oh no! My close friend Sudu, as if on cue, decided to pop into Edinburgh at the same time. Talk about serendipity! And the cherry on top? my twin bro, Lachu, was already there. Double the trouble, and triple the fun.
The journey began with a delightful train ride. I hopped on the Avanti Express from Lancaster, and folks, I kid you not, it felt like Aeroplane Cabin got an upgrade and introduced a swanky business class! The plush seats, the panoramic windows, the Extraordinary service.
Arriving at midnight in Edinburgh was a surreal experience. With every step, I felt like I was walking deeper into a Harry Potter film, just minus the moving pictures and occasional dark wizards. The intricately carved sculptures, the majestic castle perched high and oh, those iconic double-decker buses. And speaking of which, I totally lived my childhood dream by not just riding, but also making sure to grab the best seat in the house — the front seat on the top deck. Childhood dreams, indeed!
Daybreak brought with it a fresh set of adventures. Armed with umbrellas, braved the classic UK drizzle and set out to explore the city's nooks and crannies. Our quest for authentic flavours led us straight to the heart of 'Chennai's Marina.' A huge shoutout to the Tamil Anna from Chennai for setting up this culinary haven amidst the Scottish landscape! As I devoured my Kothu Parotta, every bite whispered tales of home. And for those who never tasted parotta, let’s just say it always tastes like heaven wrapped up in flaky layers of goodness.
Now, here's where things get... shall we say, intriguing? The next evening had the three of us diving headfirst into some, ahem, *exotic* shenanigans. But, a word to the wise - discretion is the better part of valour, especially when there's a sneaky suspicion that my mom might be reading this (Hi, ma!). So, if you’re itching for the details, let's just say you'll have to slide into my DMs and maybe, just maybe, I'll spill the beans. 😉
As the city lights danced and shimmered, we felt the infectious energy of Edinburgh's nightlife. The city’s vibe at night? Absolutely electric. We even channelled our inner kids at the Tenpin arcade bar. Picture this: three grown men, eyes gleaming with mischief, getting hilariously competitive over arcade games.
To wrap up our cinematic weekend, we treated ourselves to "Ponniyin Selvan" on the big screen. Having read the novel, my expectations were as tall as the Scottish highlands! The movie? Well, without giving away any spoilers, let's just diplomatically say it was... decent. A popcorn munching movie for sure!
And just like that, as the credits rolled on our Edinburgh escapade, we packed our bags, our memories, and a few cheeky secrets. To everyone who’s ever thought of hopping on a train to somewhere new, with their favourite partners in travel, I say - DO IT! Dive into the unknown, embrace the unexpected, and write your own adventure.
Until the next adventure unfurls,
Raam
P.S. Seriously, for those excited, spicy details about our "exotic" escapade, ping me personally. But, let's keep it between us, alright? 😉
