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Published: June 29th 2008
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It’s hard to believe that this is the last time I’ll be posting an entry here. First, I’d like to thank all the friends and family who have been reading it and sending me notes throughout the year. The blog has been viewed over five thousand times since I started writing it just over a year ago. It has been a great way for me to stay in touch with you and share all the amazing experiences this year has brought us.
It is with mixed emotions that I’ll say goodbye to Scotland. The hardest part will be saying goodbye to our dear friends Wendy and Stuart. They welcomed us into their lives and through them we met a great group of people. It is these folks who wanted us to see, enjoy, and become a part of Scotland. In fact it was just last weekend that I was sitting in Jerry and Lisa’s house accompanied by Wendy, Stuart, Derek, Fiona and Elizabeth enjoying a “solstice celebration” that I realized just how much I was going to miss this place. The six of us were laughing hysterically as we shared stories with one another. There was a level of comfort
that you only have with your closest friends, something that one year ago, I wouldn’t of thought possible in the span of one year. As Elizabeth and I stumbled home that evening we both commented that the night had all the markings of a good night out with our “Oregon friends.”
But enough of the sentimental gushing; you probably want to know how we spent our last month in Scotland. More or less we moved in with Wendy and Stuart. We have had many “Guys Nights”, a “Ladies Night”, and quite a few BBQ’s as well. I could sit and write about them all, but I fear that writing about all the debauchery could lead to an “intervention” when I arrive in New York to see my family.
Besides many nights spent in various pubs over the past month, we have had some cultural experiences. We went to the West End Festival Parade, The Zippo Circus, Folk Night at The Carbeth Inn, a Ceiledh at my school, and a Radiohead Concert at Glasgow Green.
Last night we all gathered one last time for our final curry. It was a wonderful evening and a sad reminder of just
how much I will miss them all. Tonight Elizabeth and I will sit and watch the European Cup Final and reminisce on what the past year has meant to us.
Very soon we will be coming full circle on this whole adventure. We will be back in Buffalo once again for the 4th of July. I’m hoping that my Uncle has had some water to drink since the last time I saw him. After that we are off to Lake Six Berry for a few days of rest and relaxation and then on the 10th of July we arrive back in Eugene, one year and one week after leaving. What a long, strange trip it’s been, one that I’ll remember forever.
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Stuart Hendry
non-member comment
Cheerio
Dear Tim, Elizabeth and Camille, I will try to avoid adding too much sentimental pish. Here is what I have learnt in the past year. 1. You are great folk with a splendid wee girl 2. You all like to party (not generally used as a verb in Scotland but 'hands across the water' and all that) 3. Not everybody in US are gun-wielding, fundamentalist crazies 4. Why weren't you fat? When I first heard you were coming over I was hoping to stand in your shadow and feel good about myself. You selfish bastards. 5. Americans can readily adapt to traditional Scottish culture. Tim rather quickly - i. abandonded his family to live in pubs ii. Got into football (no, it is bloody not called soccer) in a big way. iii. Became obsessed with Celtic Football Club, known locally as "them", "the pigs" or another word of a broadly similar length to "celts" iv. Starting eating anything we put in front of him, most recently resorting to what we told him was deep fried haggis. It wasn't, but that dog must have been relieved to get that out of its system. 6. When our neighbours tell you that we are swingers you believe them. We are not, but if we were you'd both be getting it - ands thats just from me. 7. You all now secretly use the C-word more than you used to. 8. Your friends from back home that we met are a bunch of big, boozin', bingen' bastards, much like what we are used to here. 9. Elizabeth can fairly run. If you stayed be you'd probably be representing us in the Olympics 10. You have opened our eyes to the 5 best things about Scotland. Let us know if they are the wrong order Elizabeth - i. the 5 a day policy on fruit and veg ii. free health care for all iii. nursery places for all kids iv. in Scotland only folk under 4'11' are technically midgets v. the electric lawnmower 11. I'll miss you all a lot and will come over for a family binge, probably with the McManus' in tow 12. Thanks for not pointing out to Gerry that his surname contains the word 'anus'. You are truly good people. [Wendy] Finally the Hendry Family would like to say how much we will miss you all. Not only have you learned a lot about Scotland and the Scots, equally we have learned so much from the three of you. You will leave a great big hole in our hearts (thought I would add the sentimental pish) that will be hard to fill. Safe journey home. Be assured that the Scots will invade your home at the earliest opportunity. All our love. Stuart, Wendy and Alex X