I don’t know about you, but always I was not too fond of Sundays…
But, let’s start my story.
Early morning, in a freezing mood (in summertime) I went to the meeting point that had been appointed by the travel agency, in the center of Edinburgh.
If you ever crossed the northbridge in the morning, make a stop and gaze at the view. It will calm you.
When I walked in the van of Rabbie’s (check the site for tours that may interest you.), I felt I went to Alaska… Always take your jacket. Don’t get on the bus with a t-shirt. You will get found as a frosty man!
So we started for Helix Park, part of which is the kelpies, a sculpture of 30 meters in the form of a horse. It’s a nice place for a picnic and animals as it has grass around it.
Next stop, through a drive surrounded by castles, was the loch lochmond — a landscape whose beauty you can see from a green hill.
Last stop was Stirling castle, considered to be the most impressive castle in Scotland. What I liked was the blooming gardens and the kitchen in which they were puppets of the cooks with the work done. There were people dressed in clothes of the time telling various stories from the palace.
All good. Do you wonder what was wrong?
I got lost, and I was wandering in an avenue where all the houses looked the same to me. I wasn’t making out with the GPS. Then, only 5 minutes far from home, I tripped on the edge of the sidewalk, lost my balance and fell on the road. When I realized that I was unable to get up, I yelled for help to some people that were coming out of a church. They stood at a “safe” distance, and someone told me about an ambulance. However, no one helped me to get up! They just disappeared!!. Humanity was an unknown word for them. At the same moment, thank god, a cyclist who was passing by, was a lifesaver for me. He helped me to stand, and after I assured him that I was well, he left. Nevertheless, my leg was still warm, and I didn’t realize how much I hurt and three painful steps later I stood again. There, I got found by a guy, and he offered to hold my hand until my return to the house.
When he saw that I couldn’t walk, he suggested to me sit down, and he called an ambulance. Fortunately, the roommate of my best friend found me (after best friend’s call), and both of them asked for ice from a neighboring house. The ambulance arrived one hour later. They told us that there were many incidents due to increased tourism in the city. After a 20 minute drive, we arrived at the E.R! They had only given me paracetamol!
In this city, people consider that paracetamol is the solution to everything. (I’m sure they have done some secret deal with the pharmaceutical industry, and they take cheaper the paracetamol). I waited about 40 minutes until a trainee doctor tell me that I didn’t break my leg. Also, she informed me that I would need x-rays. One hour later, I took my x-rays, and I waited again to see the doctor. He was very good at me. He made me many questions to understand the problem, and he was patient and eager to explain everything. In the end, he gave me two crutches for my convenience! Everything was free, and I didn’t have to pay anything, even though I hadn’t a health card for other countries except Greece. ( Although, you must have one!).
When I returned home, I managed to come up two floors with the crutches and with the help of the roommate, who f was very helpful. (Thank you, Daniel!)
Goodnight, I must put the ice on my leg!
