The Misadventures of an Indigo Traveling to Edinburgh

The first time I visited Scotland was over 20 years ago, while I was spending the summer studying in London. I took the train up for the weekend, and I was sick the whole time.

I got to go back for a wedding ten years later.

In the summer of 2022, I was sooo excited to be going back after another decade had passed.

It was a journey not without obstacles. The whole reason I was traveling back to Scotland, at this time, was to see my very favorite band in the world, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE, kick off their European tour in Edinburgh.

The morning I was to depart Maui, I got a notification that the show was cancelled!! Zack de la Rocha had injured his leg and couldn't travel. I was about to fly across two oceans for them! I was in shock and started laughing hysterically. 

The concert wouldn't be the only thing that got cancelled...

(By the way, I also had tickets to see Rage in March of 2020, but that show was cancelled as well, obviously.)

Cancelled Concert

I grew up in Arizona, with a car. I am public transportation illiterate. I just don't use it in the US. Never had to. So, I'm really bad at it when I have to use it while traveling. I am so envious of people just getting on and off buses like they know what they're doing.

The night before my train to Scotland, I was in London, still jet lagged, and woke up at 4 am. I checked my email and saw a rather confusing notification, that my train might be canceled due to a technical issue, or it might not be canceled - it depends on whether my train is still on the schedule or not! What?!

Mine was not on the schedule. Ensue panic attack.

Cancelled Train

This was my first time out of the country with a smartphone. I was having a lot of difficulty getting my phone to work, and I wanted to speak to a human at the train station. So, I got up and walked to King's Cross. I got there about 7:00 am, and no one was there. The ticket counters were closed. 

There were kiosks where I could check the schedule. The trains from London take anywhere from 4.5 hours to 7+. I wanted the quickest one. I found a train I wanted to take - but it departed earlier than my original train, which left me less time to get ready, and I hadn't packed yet! So, I ran back to the hotel and tired to book the new ticket from my laptop, but there were no seats left!

It was just one thing after another and I started to spiral with anxiety.

I eventually found another train with seats available, but it was more expensive than my original ticket - which was a first class seat! Booking the new train, I couldn't select my seat or even see where my seat was, but I had no options. I just had to hurry up and book it because everyone else who had been cancelled was trying to rebook as well.

I packed while my hands trembled and then hauled ass back to King's Cross, hoping to talk to someone to sort out my ticket to see why the price difference and where my seat was. But this time when I got to the station, the line to the ticket counter was massive. Forget that. I'd never make it through in time. I'd just have to eat the cost difference.

So, I just sat down across from the Platform 9 3/4 store and waited to see what platform my train would be on.

Platform 9 3/4

The TV screens don't tell you what platform your train is on until about 15 minutes before departure. So, when it finally shows up, everyone jumps up and runs to the platform. I found myself in the mob of people running towards the train, when I realized, oh yeah, I still don't know where I'm supposed to sit! Which carriage am I in? Where is my seat?

The e-ticket that I just got did not have a seat on it. I found the email they sent me after I rebooked and I just looked at the top and saw a seat number. I went to that carriage and the luggage rack was completely full. I had nowhere to put my suitcase. The guy behind me so graciously took all the bags down and rearranged them so I could fit my bag and he even lifted it up there. My bag was on top and then more bags where on top of that.

Then I get to my seat and find a little kid sitting there. I said, "Hi, is this where you're sitting because I have this seat." His slightly older sister sitting behind him pops up and shows me his ticket and says, "this is our seats, look!" And she did. Her dad was sitting behind her and he pops up a bit aggressively and asks/demands what's the problem here?!

Fuck! I want off this train!

I go back down the aisle, and I yank my luggage off the rack as hard as I can to get out out from beneath the stack of bags on top of it, and in doing so, I sliced my hand open.

The train doors are now closed. I push a button and they open. I get off with my bloody hand and luggage and decide I'll just go back to the hotel.

Then I see an employee on the platform, and ask him to help me get sorted. I told him that I have a ticket and there's a little kid sitting in my seat with a ticket. He looked at my email and said this ticket is for the train that was canceled. He scrolled down further and found my new ticket. "You're way down at the end," he says.

I get to the correct carriage and there's plenty of space for my luggage. I slid it in. I sit down and look at my hand covered in blood.

It was rough.

Train Selfie

I sit down and start listening to a podcast for like half an hour, but I'm too distressed to pay attention. I needed to process what just happened.

So, I start writing in my journal, which makes me start crying. I had my mask on and put on my sunglasses and just silently cried for a few minutes but then I had to stop. The train made a stop and a guy got on and sat next to me. So I just had to sit there like a statue the rest of the trip.

It was a four hour trip. My butt and back were stiff and sore. And I had to pee for hours. The joys of traveling!

Anyway, I made it! That's half the battle.

I still did epic shit and had a good time. Check out my Scotland adventures.


You might like these other Misadventures:

Scotland:

  • I love Edinburgh's medieval Old Town with it's castle looming over the city. It's such a cool city to explore.

    Edinburgh, Scotland

    I love Edinburgh's medieval Old Town with it's castle looming over the city. It's such a cool city to explore.

  • Scotland Home Page

    Scotland

    Scotland Home Page

  • Temple Old Kirk is located in Temple Village outside of Edinburgh. This site was the headquarters of the Order of Knights Templar in Scotland.

    Temple Old Kirk

    Temple Old Kirk is located in Temple Village outside of Edinburgh. This site was the headquarters of the Order of Knights Templar in Scotland.

  • Medieval Rosslyn Chapel was made famous for being featured in the The Da Vinci Code. It's intricate carvings are associated with many legends and secrets.

    Rosslyn Chapel

    Medieval Rosslyn Chapel was made famous for being featured in the The Da Vinci Code. It's intricate carvings are associated with many legends and secrets.

  • Edinburgh's Royal Military Tattoo is an event worthy of your bucket list. It's a unique performance from military bands across the globe and of course bagpipers!

    Royal Military Tattoo

    Edinburgh's Royal Military Tattoo is an event worthy of your bucket list. It's a unique performance from military bands across the globe and of course bagpipers!

  • Greyfriars Kirkyard in Edinburgh is a haunted graveyard best known for providing inspiration for Harry Potter characters.

    Greyfriars Kirkyard

    Greyfriars Kirkyard in Edinburgh is a haunted graveyard best known for providing inspiration for Harry Potter characters.

  • St. Cuthbert's cemetery is another one of Edinburgh's cool old cemeteries. The oldest headstone is dated 1606.  It has great views of the castle.

    St. Cuthbert's Cemetery

    St. Cuthbert's cemetery is another one of Edinburgh's cool old cemeteries. The oldest headstone is dated 1606. It has great views of the castle.

  • Dean Village is a gem worth exploring. Dean Cemetery is a Victorian era graveyard with grand monuments and old trees making it one of my favorite cemeteries.

    Dean Village & Cemetery

    Dean Village is a gem worth exploring. Dean Cemetery is a Victorian era graveyard with grand monuments and old trees making it one of my favorite cemeteries.

  • The gardens of Drummond Castle are spectacular. They were filmed in Outlander as a stand in for the Palace of Versailles.

    Drummond Castle

    The gardens of Drummond Castle are spectacular. They were filmed in Outlander as a stand in for the Palace of Versailles.

  • An unexpected detour on our road trip around Scotland led us to the picturesque village of Killin.

    Killin

    An unexpected detour on our road trip around Scotland led us to the picturesque village of Killin.

  • The Clachaig Inn, located in the beautiful Scottish Highlands, was where we spent the first night of our road trip around Scotland. The grounds are stunning. Hagrid's Hut was built across the highway.

    Clachaig Inn

    The Clachaig Inn, located in the beautiful Scottish Highlands, was where we spent the first night of our road trip around Scotland. The grounds are stunning. Hagrid's Hut was built across the highway.

  • Eilean Donan Castle is one of Scotland's most photographed castle. It's been in several films. It's a must stop on the way to Skye.

    Eilean Donan Castle

    Eilean Donan Castle is one of Scotland's most photographed castle. It's been in several films. It's a must stop on the way to Skye.

  • Visiting the Isle of Skye was on my bucket list. It was everything I wanted it to be. Mossy and magical. So green and lush. Water cascading everywhere. It feels like a fairy place. I'm a fan.

    Isle of Skye

    Visiting the Isle of Skye was on my bucket list. It was everything I wanted it to be. Mossy and magical. So green and lush. Water cascading everywhere. It feels like a fairy place. I'm a fan.

  • The Isle of Lewis & Harris is home to the ancient Callanish Standing Stones and stunning Caribbean looking beaches.

    Isle of Lewis & Harris

    The Isle of Lewis & Harris is home to the ancient Callanish Standing Stones and stunning Caribbean looking beaches.

  • Dunrobin Castle is picture perfect with it's turrets and elaborate gardens. If you can only visit one castle in your life, make it this one.

    Dunrobin Castle

    Dunrobin Castle is picture perfect with it's turrets and elaborate gardens. If you can only visit one castle in your life, make it this one.

  • Urquhart Castle overlooks Scotland's famed Loch Ness. Explore the castle ruins while keeping an eye out for Nessie.

    Urquhart Castle

    Urquhart Castle overlooks Scotland's famed Loch Ness. Explore the castle ruins while keeping an eye out for Nessie.

  • Elgin Cathedral, known as the Lantern of the North, is an impressive 800 year old, Medieval ruin. It was once Scotland's second largest cathedral.

    Elgin Cathedral

    Elgin Cathedral, known as the Lantern of the North, is an impressive 800 year old, Medieval ruin. It was once Scotland's second largest cathedral.

  • Castle Fraser is one of Scotland's largest tower houses. There are numerous furnished rooms accessed by climbing the narrow turret stairs.

    Castle Fraser

    Castle Fraser is one of Scotland's largest tower houses. There are numerous furnished rooms accessed by climbing the narrow turret stairs.

  • I loved Ardoe House Hotel & Spa, so much, it felt like I was staying in a castle. It was so fun! It's almost its own attraction, complete with it's own highland coos.

    Ardoe House

    I loved Ardoe House Hotel & Spa, so much, it felt like I was staying in a castle. It was so fun! It's almost its own attraction, complete with it's own highland coos.

  • Dunnottar Castle, is a medieval fortress, perched atop a cliff overlooking the North Sea. Although it's now a ruin, it's location makes it highly photogenic.

    Dunnottar Castle

    Dunnottar Castle, is a medieval fortress, perched atop a cliff overlooking the North Sea. Although it's now a ruin, it's location makes it highly photogenic.