Prompt: Spinning the Globe - Imagine that a character did the old spin-the-globe-and-see-where-you-take-your-next-vacation trick. Write a story or scene describing where they went and how their trip panned out.
I've done some crazy things before, but never have I done this before! I think to myself as I settle into the plane seat bound for .. Edinburgh, Scotland. But that's not the destination - that's just the airport! My destination? a small chapel about 10 miles south. And the adjacent 'castle' - Rosslyn. I sit here and think back ...
The money had just been transferred into my account. A relative had passed and I received a small inheritance. I should use it for something else, but I so badly needed to shake up my complacent life! and so this is what I did: I went to the library and found a globe on a counter. I took it down and said a small prayer over it. "Dear God, you know I need a break. Please guide my finger to where I should go ..." and I spun the globe, closed my eyes, and pointed.
There, right above my fingertip, the letters spelled out 'Rosslyn'. Scotland. Cool! I've never been to Scotland! Since I was already in the library, I found a book on the country and looked up the location. And, my heart stopped. If God guided me to go here, an adventure was sure to ensue!
You see, not only is there a chapel there, that looks more like a cathedral, but there's also a castle there. And the castle is open to tourists for lodging! Before leaving 30 min later, I had not only booked a week at the 'castle' but also my flight overseas. And now, everything is beginning.
As I sit here, I leaf through a tourist travel book to check out more about this location. It's the site (and final scene) for the movie The DaVinci Code, but more than that, it's a masonry's dream. The stone work and the creation of the chapel left me in awe. To think that this is what I would be seeing was a dream come true! The castle nearby does not look like the traditional building I think of when I think of a castle, but it is intriguing regardless. My only thought was that it seemed quite big and it was only me staying there. I wonder if there are any ghosts? After all, the chapel was built in 1446.
I slept a bit and I read a bit and I wrote a bit. All good preparation for this adventure! I had not done much travel to this point, so I was stepping out of my comfort box in more than one way. Just over 13 hours later, the plane was taxiing to a stop at the exit ramp. The pilot came on to wish us well, and I waited for my turn to get my bags down and disembark. Making my way down the ramp, I began to look around for the luggage collection area. It took a bit to find it, but thankfully my suitcase was one of the first down the chute.
Now what? I guess I need to get to the castle. How would I do it at home? Taxi. I stepped outside and ... right there was a taxi. I walked up to the gentleman. "Can you take me to Rosslyn Castle?" I asked.
"Och, aye, lassie," he answered.
In that instant, I realized I might have a bit of trouble. It was English, but it wasn't. I think he said he could? "Great!" I smiled at him and he put my luggage in his trunk.
The city gave way to rolling hills and I breathed in the amazing smell that wafted through the open window at my side. "What can you tell me about the castle and chapel?" I asked my driver. I knew we didn't have much time so I wanted to get as much of a local glimpse as I could before I got there.
"Oh, she's an interesting place, that one! Much goings-on, I say! ... "
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