Oh, hail no.

My last days in the UK have been such a mix of emotions. I cried several times on my last day in Wigtown which kept my face in a perpetual state of red and blotchy. If I hadn't been so worn out from all of the tears, I probably would have kept it up on my night bus back to London. Fortunately, I was able to sleep for almost the entire trip, so I arrived in that bustling city (almost) fresh-faced.

Once again, London did not disappoint. While I can admit that I definitely did not miss the traffic and the crowds, there is something to be said about the the energy that flows there. Most of the shows that I wanted to see were completely booked through next week, so I decided to take in the night lights. Piccadilly Circus definitely rivals Broadway with the glittering marquees and little enclaves with hanging fairy lights. Just across the Thames is the South Bank, London Eye and all. It is much more peaceful there than in the hubbub of the Theatre District. The Houses of Parliament and Big Ben were lit across the way, creating the most picturesque moment. It is exquisite, and the most appropriate way to cap of my trip.

This country has wept with me twice. It has rained on all of my travel days after beautiful sunshine during my trip. I left Scotland in a freezing deluge on a coach bound for London Town and I thought those would be the saddest weather I would see, but oh no. As I walked the two blocks from my hotel to the Tube station, it began to hail. Yes. Hail. Fortunately, I made it to the station and made it to the airport in plenty of time. My heart is heavy as I bid farewell to this country. The land of my forefathers has implanted a bit of green and grey into my heart and I know that it will be impossible to find better. I had to make a promise with myself to come back. This is a promise I will have to keep, because I don't think that my soul can take never coming back. This was the adventure of a lifetime and I found a little girl sitting on the roadside in a tiny Scottish village. She had been waiting there an awfully long time, but she was happy to take my hand and show me what living looks like.

Farewell, United Kingdom. I will miss you always.