A Memorable Little Adventure

We all have memories from our past that stay vivid in our minds for reasons we can’t always explain. Some are happy, some funny and some painful — yet we revisit them because they hold meaning. I have many such moments too, and today, I am excited to share one that remains especially close to my heart for so many reasons.

It was two years ago, November 2023, when I was living in Dundee, Scotland. I was all set to return home after my graduation ceremony. As you know, everything becomes harder while living alone. And on top of that, I had to fly back home immediately after graduating. So, a week before the ceremony, I decided to take myself on a solo trip to Edinburgh. It wasn’t just spontaneous — it was something I deeply needed. Back when I first reached Dundee, my best friend and I planned to go to Edinburgh on my birthday. But the plan unfortunately failed, when she fell sick. That’s when I realized I still haven’t visited the place I was so excited about. And that’s how Agal’s Day Out began. I woke up at 5 am, careful not to wake up my roommates who had come home late after work. Of course, the nap lover in me whispered, “just sleep and skip the trip”. But for once, she didn’t win. I got dressed in a beautiful thrifted blue dress which I paired with a half-white long coat and began my little voyage. I grabbed an egg-and-cheese sandwich and boarded the bus — which was half empty. The ride to Edinburgh felt so calm and peaceful. I had my earphones on, listening to my Spotify playlist, and watching the scenery pass by. As I munched on my sandwich, thanking the outside world for blessing my eyes, I literally felt like I was living inside a beautiful story.

I wasn’t ready for how beautiful Edinburgh actually was. I was so enchanted that I didn’t even notice the bus fill up completely, until I stood to get off. I started walking wherever my feet led me, my eyes greedily trying to take in every single detail the city had to offer. Edinburgh was bustling — much livelier than Dundee — which made me a little nervous at first. But then strolling into a beautiful park in the middle of fall instantly calmed my nerves. I walked up to Edinburgh castle, and the view from up there was mesmerizing. After that, I wandered into shops to buy souvenirs for my friends and family. I made my way down the Royal Mile, once again taking in every store, every detail, stopping only when my legs begged for a break.

The break felt magical because a talented stranger was playing the guitar, and somehow that made everything even more cinematic. I also remember video-calling my parents to show them a particular view of the city, which they absolutely loved. I started walking again — this time cursing myself for wearing a knee-length dress in the middle of November. I was freezing. Since it gets dark early, I eventually headed toward the bus stand after spending some time at the mall. I bought myself a baguette sandwich and even made a friend at the shop — someone from South India. The ride back home felt long, as the evening grew darker and colder.

Walking back to my room I felt tired and silently judged myself for choosing boots instead of shoes. But my heart felt incredibly full. It was a last-minute, messy and energy-demanding trip — but also one of the best. Everything people ever told me about being dependent or scared was proven wrong that day. The more I believe in myself, and the more I do things despite being afraid, the more I realize just how capable I am. This might seem small, but for me, it was a huge step. It is not only one of the best memories I’ll carry — it’s an experience that will continue to strengthen me as I move forward. I end this article with a smile on my face and with the hope of making many more interesting memories in the future.