Hiya

Hiya (that's Scottish for 'Hello'),

We're settled into Edinburgh and have seen a variety of sights in the past view days ranging from a man in a chicken suit, to women dressed as courtesans. We've seen people making balloon animals on every corner. We've seen the woman with the most piercings. Ever. We've seen actors making glaring statements with their eyes in the streets so you'll ask them about their show. We've seen people standing on cement blocks. We've seen people covered in 'blood.' We've seen men dressed as Queen Elizabeth. We've met the Disney Princesses. A man with Dementia. A woman painted blue like a smurf. And we've met some really anxious people shoving fliers into our faces. We've also met some pretty nice, down to earth people as well. :) This is busking it would seem. Interacting with other artists and Edinburgh tourists in hopes that they will take an interest in seeing our show. We've found it works to take an interest in someone else's show and then encourage them to come and see ours. We also find people don't always know The Tempest, but they know Shakespeare and they know women and they like the two of them separately...so they'll probably like them together.

"If you like eating peanut butter out of a jar, you'll love Cafe Arret," said a busker to me as I ate my lunch. Yes, you would eat peanut butter out of a jar, too, if you brought it from the states and it keeps well and saves you money. But this was another tactic we liked regarding busking. We've decided to approach people and say things like, "If you like drinking tea, you'll love the Tempest." Another attention-getter.

As far as adventures go, we've seen good theater and bad theater. We've gotten lost on the Royal Mile. Climbed Arthur's Seat. Drank Tea. Eaten Shortbread. We've had dinner in a pub. We've drank our pints. We've bought phones (parents you can expect calls from us now). We've gotten our bearings.

The venue is GREAT. Perfect size. We teched last night and that went pretty well. We've figured out the changes needed in regards to technicalities. I.E. The space is wider than the one we rehearsed in and allows for a smaller amount of "backstage" space, so that took some adjusting. We did a rather slow, low-energy run, which is to be expected after all the traveling we've been doing. We all went to bed early last night and tried to get some rest. I think we'll be ready to open tonight after we busk and busk and busk!

A couple more girls are feeling under the weather (prayers and good vibes please). I think they will be fine, but it sucks to be sick and it sucks to have a show going on while you're sick. They probably won't busk with us, but will (of course) rest up.

That's the gist...my time is running out.

Love always,

The TLs