new city, new friends..

requisite shot of British phone booths

When I first started this blog, I was shy and hesitant to say the least. I was reluctant to reveal my name, and nervous to let my friends and family know about my new hobby. Expressing yourself can sometimes be a nerve wracking experience. Especially for someone like me, who has, for the most part, led a relatively private life. But with each post, I began to divulge a little bit more of myself. My parents admitted that they eagerly awaited each post, often checking my blog before they would even check to see if I had written them an email, and, without me knowing it, they began advertising my blog at family picnics, random dinner parties and anywhere else they could gloat about their daughter and her blog.
Within a short time, there was a small list of people who would regularly comment on my posts, making me feel like even if there were just a few of them, they made it all worthwhile. And in turn, they also happened to be the writers of the blogs that had already become some of my favourites. It was quickly obvious that there were many people out there just like me, whose personalities seemed to shine through every word they wrote.

When I finally was able to arrange a trip to Scotland on a reasonably priced flight (tougher than you would think), my first thought was Melissa. I emailed Tara, whom I have never met, but who has become a fast friend simply through the act of blogging. (Who would have thought?)
"Do you think Melissa would think it weird of me to ask if she wanted to meet while I'm in Edinburgh?"
Tara emailed me a resounding no. "Do it." she said. "It would be so cool."
Well, lucky for this shy girl, before I could even get my email sent out, Melissa had read my post about my upcoming trip and suggested that we meet. Yes, ok, so maybe I did that on purpose. But don't tell Melissa.

I imagined all sorts of scenarios. Would we go out for a drink? Would we meet for dinner? Would we get along or sit in silence until it was time to call it a night? Would she really be anything like she seems to be in her blog? Would this turn out to be a horrible nightmare? No, my thoughts weren't that dramatic, but I won't say that my mom wasn't concerned. Mother's are so cute that way. But really, who would have thought I'd be meeting a fellow blogger not 3 months after having written my first post?

For our first meeting, Melissa and I decided to meet for drinks, without our men, to test the waters. As I waited for her outside of a local pub that she had suggested, I saw a woman walking towards me.
"Michele?" she asked questioningly. Her voice was friendly and put me immediately at ease. She approached me with a welcoming smile, and I liked her instantly. We introduced ourselves and headed into the bar area to order some drinks. When she pointed out the Hoegaarden I knew we were kindred spirits.
We took our place out in the patio and though I, with a very small bladder, made several trips to the bathroom, neither of us noticed as several pints and 4 hours passed. We finally decided to call it a night. The evening had been a success but it had to end sometime. But the question that stayed in my mind was : was it worth it just to meet for one night and then move on from there? Or was there value in going further and trying to get to know each other even just a little bit more and possibly making a friend out of the experience? I knew I didn't want to just say I met her and let it end there.

We agreed to meet for dinner 2 days later, with our men in tow. This was somewhat nerve wracking because even though I knew Melissa and I would have a great time, who knew whether the men's personalities would click. As Melissa has reported, the evening was fantastic. As soon as I met Manuel, just as had happened when I first met Melissa, I instantly liked him. He greeted us with a big German smile and a firm handshake, and we felt instantly welcomed into their fabulous apartment. A Bellini bar awaited us leaving me feeling that I had just jumped into a virtual reality of the Traveler's Lunchbox. A dream come true for any of Melissa's dedicated readers.

The four of us went out for dinner to a place that Melissa had been wanting to try for some time. It was the first time I think I have ever been in a restaurant past midnight. The time had passed by completely unnoticed. By the end, I was stuffed, and stuck with a permanent smile on my face from having thoroughly enjoyed myself.

I must admit, I was a little sad to leave Edinburgh. Making a new friend is something I cherish and do not take lightly. But I think we are off to a good start, and I'm looking forward to having Melissa and Manuel visit us sometime soon, either in Heidelberg or in Paris once we move there. I have a feeling Melissa will hold out for Paris though. I don't blame her. We'll turn that city inside out Melissa!