#awreckandatangle

[annieherzig]

Friends... It is the anniversary of my mom’s passing from this life into what lays beyond. She graduated 4 years ago today. She’s been in my thoughts and heart every day since, and she gives me strength.

This little journey I’ve been on has been greatly inspired by her. She loved seeing and learning new things, and tasting new foods. She also once told me that she admired in me an ability to create fun and adventure around me. All I can say is that I try to do this...not always successfully, and not always (in general). I’m quite the homebody, really. I love being home, surrounded by loved ones, and enjoying routines and tried and true life pleasures. However, I do ache for bigger adventures quite often.

I’ve always been a bit intimidated by the thought of traveling alone, and looked up to those that did it. Now, since my mom has moved on, it’s given me some perspective on life and its frailty and speed. I’ve tried to take advantage of my time and fully embrace the moments given me. This trip is about that. Living boldly, seeking out experiences, seeking out significant people, taking deep breaths in those full moments and pausing to savor them.

So yesterday I left Scotland and on the train ride to Edinburgh, I listened to 3 songs over and over... The first being the theme song from Outlander. My mom loved the books, and a big part of my going there had to do with that. She’d have loved it. Second was Touch The Sky, by Julie Fowlis, from  the movie Brave. Third was Learn Me Right, by Birdy and Mumford & Sons, from the movie Brave. These latter two bring tears of joy and sadness to my eyes. Not only is that movie about a girl’s relationship with her mom, but it takes place in the highlands of Scotland, and these two songs I consider as theme songs to my trip, and my heart.

Here’s to my momma... My one companion on this journey, and the heart of my heart.

[annieherzig]

Another day, another dollar... Just kidding, that is NOT the case here!

I don’t think I’ve mentioned yet what exactly I’m doing on this trip. I discovered a program online called Workaway. Guys, it’s fantastic. It’s basically a work exchange where travelers like myself are able to stay with hosts around the world for free (food is often included) in exchange for 4-5 hours of work per day. Oh and weekends are off so you can explore the surrounding areas. The hosts benefit, getting help for a super low cost, and the workers benefit as well! Free accommodation, making it the cheapest way to travel and live abroad, and you often learn a great deal, pick up new skills, make friends around the world, and get to dig into the culture more than you could if you were staying in hotel after hotel.

When I heard about it I knew I must give it a go. Obviously you must pick and choose carefully... And I truly chose well with this one. It’s a bit of a jackpot, really! Now I’m settled into Scotland, working and staying at a wonderful place called Inchyra.

My work here has covered many areas... Tasks have included pulling up ragwort plants and burning them in a bonfire, collecting apples from the orchard in the walled garden, trimming lavender, sanding & painting big barn doors, raking, preserving veggies from the garden, feeding chickens, and moving chairs, benches, and tables back & forth, and back & forth—setting up and tearing down weddings and concerts. You see, this place is a highly sought after wedding venue, and being music fans, they also host regular concerts in the Byre (a big renovated kennel/barn building). I’ve also been tasked with pulling pints at the concerts.

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every single job I’ve had here so far... Being a designer & illustrator my work involves sitting at a desk for hours on end. So you can imagine, this experience so far has been incredibly refreshing—to use my hands, get dirty, wake up with a sore back, and go back out each day to do new things. There’s something deeply rewarding about physical work.

I must find a way to incorporate this more into my daily life back home!