The Ancient Rite of Hospitality

It is said that in the Muslim world that if a stranger shows up on your door step, be kind to him for Allah has sent him.
The Ancient Rite of Hospitality was practiced throughout parts of the world where even if you were an enemy and you wandered into a town you could claim this rite and be given a bed, meal and safe passage.

Along those lines, I want to give a shout out to the people we have met on this journey. They will have no idea as they know nothing about the blog but their friendliness, good conversation and random acts of kindness are remembered and not in vain.
THANK YOU ALL!

Starting from Edinburgh:

Ross the owner, chef and fun loving guy at the B&B 23 Mayfield. I shall forever remember your wonderful Haggis.

Mary his mom so efficient and helpful

The couple who gave us a life to the train station to get our car ----Thank You

To the many bus drivers who tolerate our ignorance

Kildrummy:

Franz the owner and chef who prepared our wonderful box lunches. Thank you, you have a fabulous hotel

The couple from From South Florida, the husband originally from NYC and worked in Brooklyn, we met who was so helpful, gave us great advice, friendly conversation----thank you

To the teacher ( and schoolgirls) we ran into at one of the ruins. We enjoy watching what a
fun time you were having going from room to room, checking things off from your school page

To the four chaps we met at Slains Castle and we shared a laugh with on a beautiful day

To the coffee bars girls working and allowing me to pour my own amount of steam milk into my double expresso

Thurso:

The woman who worked at the front deal at the Park Hotel. Thank you for your directions and cheerful nature.

Orkney:

Peter the single gentlemen who we could not understand much of what he said except that he
love a good drink and he was an amazing walker. One day 18 miles. We were to find out later he had recovered from a stroke. I respect the fact you are still in the game and not allowed your
illness, being single stop you from traveling or fill you with self pity. We enjoy sharing meals with you at the bar.

The women who bartender and kept Bill's glass full and his spirits high

Holly, the young waitress who would bring me coffee in the closed bar as I sat and did my blog where I had an Internet connection

To the tall, French waiter (Holly's bow) who was patient and took good care of us with food and drink

The front desk guy and bartender who would open the bar for Bill and I and give a good pour

The two retired gentlemen, who we kept running into on the tourist trail. Real nice guys

The couple from Edinburgh who kept teaching me how to speak Scottish. I am a failed pupil but appreciated your effort.

Byron the night guy at the hotel, one of the few names I remember, in the early early morning as blogged away, The talks we had were fun and a nice diversion.

The retired couple from Colorado I met in the bar. You are real travelers going everywhere by bus and train without a car and who made very little advance plans and did it on the fly. You are an inspiration.

Lock Ness:

Alina the Romanian women who was front desk person, bartender, waitress, cleaner and all around helpful person who got our laundry done for us before we checked out. Her brother both from Translyavania, yes you read it right where Dracula makes his home who said he wanted to open disown hotel there and would email me and Bill to visit. We or at least I will come.

NYC KEY CHAINS:

I travel with lightweight key rings depicting NYC. I usually hand them out to those who have made my trip memorable or in some way provided a random act of kindness.

Ross from 23 Mayfield Edinburgh
Franz from Kildrummy
The South Florida guy who worked in Brooklyn from Kildrummy
Front desk woman at Turso
Holly From Orkney
Byron from Orkney
Madeleine the bartender at the Tiki Bar in Glasgow. Thank you & safe travels to Australia.