Thank you Shetland- for helping me learn to drive, Car and Life!

The ‘Finish Line’ feel was AWESOME!!

After many sleepless nights, failed lessons, roadside nightmares, an almost divorced husband and peeing in the pants, can I shout out loud – that I passed my driving test !

While I have (still) my husband and my friend & practice driver, Jacqueline and of-course my instructor-Colin, who never lost their faith on me, to thank , I feel, must also thank Shetland!

If it was not for Shetland, we would not have been where we are! S would not have got his FIRST shore job, which meant start of our married journey together, we would not have bought our FIRST car (given that U.K’s public transport is great and parking fees are big!), we wouldn’t have bought a FIRST peerie house turned home, would not have seen the importance of learning to drive and what it brings along!! If not for Shetland, value of life and friends was a little bit missed in the race that we run! If not for Shetland, we would have never known the forgotten magic that life offers (remember zindagi-you are rawmazing)!

So here’s a post that I had written for my best friend’s blog a few years back, that I am reposting specially for Shetland, because these were my FIRST thoughts for Shetland…only the beginning!

By the window side of the bus, I can see the sun reflecting colourful rays on the snow, just like my little heart, brimming with so many emotions all at one time.

From the scorching humid climate of India to the Snowy long walks in Glasgow and now my next destination being the Unique Shetland. All this in a very little time, brings out the overwhelming and the adventurous side of me.

Right, now let’s talk a wee bit about Shetland (Glaswegian slangs have started finding their way quite naturally now).

I would lie if I tell you, that I was free of qualms when my ferry landed in Shetland this morning, especially after a bumpy-rough Sea cruise resulting in a night of sea sickness and the super windy weather (which I hear is regular- pain to my ears!) on the welcome. While we were waiting for the taxi at the terminal (Oh! did I tell you the hubby had an interview scheduled for today and that was the reason of us being there), I was questioning myself if I will be able to survive the quietness of the place long enough and if this is something I want to do? S had conveniently left the choice on me, making it even more difficult to decide!

It wasn’t long before the taxi arrived and our drive began with a lovely chit chat with the driver, a man who bided in Shetland for the last 64 years and had only good words about his life in Shetland. One led to another and it didn’t take us time to discover the welcoming community of Shetlanders and such was the uniqueness of the place that most of the people knew each other by their names in that cohesive little society. My heart knew that this place was actually it’s people.

From the taxi ride, to the neighbouring shops, to a local takeaway, I could feel a pleasant breeze of love and friendliness wrapped in the freezing wind. We even managed a lift back to the ferry terminal, unasked for .

I could clearly see, Shetland wanted us to come and explore itself, from its speckled beaches, to its fascinating Nordic culture, its excluslive wildlife and sometimes the lush green and at others, the treeless drives. I can very safely say, this isn’t just it! There is way more to see and deal with.

S was offered the job, his FIRST shore job and on our way back to the Ferry, all I could think was, ‘Life is not about the breaths you take but the moments that take your breath away’!

So, that’s how I felt about Shetland then!

Today, can I add, my feelings haven’t changed!

Three year itch is almost passed, and I would lie if I said I have never wanted to quit! Oh, I have!

On those gloomy grey mornings, on those gale force nights, on those days where I felt so far away from family, from Diwali, from Holi, on all those days when all I wanted is a nice little temple to visit (I am not very religious, but a visit or two is harmless), and on all those summer evenings that we never had,  on all those nights, when I had hated the snow!! So yes I have had those days, those quick moments, passing thoughts!

 

But something made us stay! Don’t know what it is, all I can say is , there is some connect that has kept us warm enough to survive the 60 degree north!

There is something about Shetland, that makes me fall in love with it after every hate moment! There is something that makes me wonder & wow!

So here’s wishing the wow journey continues and sharing a heart felt thank you with Shetland, for loving me as both Anushree and Annie, loving us as an incomer and a Shetlander ! For giving us a home far away from home, for giving us our family and friends and for helping me to learn to drive-both car and life to ‘The Finish line’ and the start of many!

Keep plugged in for my ‘Nightmares of the road- my learning to drive story’ and some laugh!

This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda.

Love

Annie/Anushree xx

PS-All images on this post are personal and are protected by copyright law