2008/12/30

Edin...braah?!

19th of September 2003...A day of unparalleled importance, not because of the 24 hours that formed it, but because this was the day when it all started.

A few days short of 18, I saw myself in a taxi cab when it really hit me. "You're in Scotland, mate". My dad was still with me, sceptic and calm on the outside, but I knew as well as he did that it wouldn't be easy to leave his youngest in this unknown country, which at the moment just looked dark and misty. Quietly, we switched glances exchanging pride and thankfulness. Pride and prejudice, at its best.

Looking out the window I watched the city driving past me, with its color chosen directly from a XIX century novel. We arrived late, so the city was silent. And so it was for the 20 minutes from the Edinburgh Airport to the city centre. I didn't knew then anymore about physics than I do today, but that lack of sound had a smell...A sweet, yet dirty smell, discretely whispering that somewhere around there, something was going on.

I practiced the question a few times in my head, and finally found the guts to ask the driver:
- "Excuse me sir, what's this smell?" - said my forced posh british accent
- "Oh thát? Thát's yeast, lad! Frrom the brury! Olways smells like so at náight, ya knoo? Tháts Edinbraaahh for ya."

I let out my first genuine laugh in Edinburgh. One of many. I'd heard that accent so often in movies, fell in love with it, and there and then...It was just the best thing that could have happened, gently sweeping away my unconscient doubts about this adventure, which had just started.

Past the years, I got used to the smell of the breweries, which worked at night just outside the city. However, this event stuck with me ever since and whenever I saw the city in silence, I made that extra effort to inhale it and have a laugh...at least on the inside.

Throughout my days in old Edinburgh, little things like this kept me going, reminding me that although I wasn't home, I was building something inside...Something which has stayed with me until now, a few years later. Funny episodes, bits of songs, catch phrases...To remind me of my tales from scotland...

"It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life
For me
And I'm feeling good"

1 comment:

Inês Dias de Carvalho said...

and I bet that today you sometimes miss that smell...

...you should post more about edin...braaah!

Loved it!

And in my corny american way I shall say: Man, it was huuuuge, awesome!!