Hoping for some Jo-Mojo



Elephant House Cafe' - Edinburgh, Scotland

When I was in Edinburgh, Scotland last month, I had a pretty big 'to do' list.  Since I was there on a work trip, organizing and shuttling nearly 230 people on a Harry Potter-centric fan trip, it was all about the boy wizard and the books and the movies for the first few days.  Once the tour was over though, I got busy ticking things off that list.  I spent a full day at the Scottish Genealogical Library with an ornery Scot, researching and eventually confirming the Scottish Royal lineage I'd discovered a few months ago.  When I found the link that made me a direct descendent of Robert the Bruce, my research advsor just looked at me with a completely bored and droll expression and said, "Well if you want to be related to that line, then good for you."  HA!  I love a surly Scot.  I wanted to see all of the sites mentioned in the Outlander books and shop on the Royal Mile.  I needed to find the famous Thompson's toffee for Tim and a FRASER clan magnet for Jos.  See...lots to do. 

After I'd seen the sights, shopped and done my geneaology homework, I had one more thing on my list.  I spent a lovely morning at Elephant House, drinking coffee and writing...just like J.K. Rowling.  It's been widely publicized that one of Jo's favorite places to write is in a quiet cafe'.  I just happened to be in her Edinburgh and my hotel was in close proxemtiy to one of her more well known writing spots.  Of course I was going to go completely cheeseball - order a coffee, claim a table and do some writing of my own.  I had my spiral notebook (thanks, Lisa!!), a decent pen and enjoyed a really great mocha while I scribbled a few lines.  I didn't get a lot written as it was busy and they needed my table, but I did write.  I was going for a little Jo-mojo but the experience in and of itself was cool no matter if I gleaned an ounce of her success for having been there or not.