The Turning Point in Dunbar, Scotland

I’ve debated on which of my travel journal entries to share with you first. The internal dispute has overwhelmed me. Should I begin from my most recent trip? From my first trip ever? Do I need to go in order?

After some deliberation, I’ve decided that I’m going to share the turning point for me. I want to share the day-long trip I took to Dunbar, Scotland, that renewed my sense of wonder and excitement to explore. In hindsight, it makes perfect sense to start here. The day is engraved into my mind, serving as a beacon for what travel should look, and feel like, for me.

Going to Dunbar was the first trip I took while studying abroad in Edinburgh, Scotland. The bus ride was around an hour, so it felt like the perfect day-trip for myself, and five of my friends, to embark on during the weekend.

Before studying in Scotland, I had never been to Europe before. When I arrived, I felt way in over my head. I hadn’t expected the acclimation period to be so isolating. I’d almost never used public transit before and I wasn’t used to cities where you had to walk everywhere. Getting adjusted was a lot harder than I’d anticipated.

However, I promised myself I would take every opportunity I could to travel, despite how uncomfortable it can sometimes be. So after a few weeks of reshaping my life to the culture of Edinburgh, I planned my first little trip.

I can clearly recall the excitement I felt when the bus was pulling up to the main street of the town. Dunbar is a darling town that sits on the North Sea. I felt a pang of longing for my family when taking it all in. I knew my parents would have loved it.

The first place we went to was the iconic rock archway next to the Dunbar Castle ruins.

We walked leisurely along the harbor with no plan in mind for the day ahead. The sun was shining and the air smelled like salt. We stumbled upon the Kittiwake Cafe and got the best brie and cranberry jam sandwiches. I’m someone who likes travel to be meticulously planned, but the beauty of having no agenda, is coming across hidden gems, like the cute little cafe on the harbor.

The six of us ate our treats while sitting on the wall of the Dunbar Battery. This precise moment was the turning point I referenced earlier. In my red travel journal, I have the words, I don’t want to forget this moment, written down. At the time, those are the best words I could use to describe the way I felt looking out on the sea with the ardent sun on my back, and some of my best friends nearby.

After being confined to so many of the same, familiar places throughout the duration of the pandemic, I finally felt excitement. It felt like I was free, and that the worst was behind me. I wanted to soak every experience up, because everyone in the world had gotten a taste of what it was like to have their experiences ripped away from them. What a harsh, but beautiful contrast.

The rest of the day passed in a dream-like haze. We ate lunch at the beach and felt the water on our feet. We explored the shops that made up the High Street. We went on a cliffside walk, laughing and talking along the way. We discovered, again, what it was like to feel okay.

Now, while I sit at home writing this, the memories of days like these keep me warm. They remind me of what a joy it is to be alive. The reason I fell in love with travel will be forever intertwined with this particular day.

My time in Dunbar will be eternally held safe, in my red travel journal.

Mags

The red travel journal series