March 18th
Wednesday night I tried to talk Rachel into getting up early so she could go to class with me and then just walk around the area. she wasn't too thrilled, it seemed like she might have gone for it. Thursday morning, this morning, I decided not to wake her up and just let her sleep. Right before we left I told her I let her sleep in and I told her when I would be back. Off to class it was. In BES, I believe, we had some presentations, or maybe we just talked about things that are coming up. Next was contemporary Britain and my one hour break and then seminar. Right after Seminar I headed over to Marlybone Station to buy Rachel tickets to Stratford-Upon-Avon for Saturday. I then rushed back so we could eat some lunch. We decided to get Pizza Hut for lunch, which was quite delicious! We both got little meals where we got an appetizer and a tiny pizza, yet very tasty. When we were done eating we headed back to VH to drop off some leftovers and then we walked to Big Ben and Westminster. Shortly after we got there it started to sprinkle so we walked back to VH where we hung out for most of the evening. Around 5pm or so the power went out, all the power. Eventually a couple people come around to tell us what has happened. Since we have to go out to eat we will be reimbursed. Rachel suggests we play some games, but eventually Kiley an Chelsea come back, they were thinking of seeing a movie. We decided to join; we ende up having to take the tube for a few stops, that didn't make me too happy since that was another 5.60 pounds, for a return ticket! That is how much it costs for a day pass. We ended up seeing The Bounty Hunter; not too bad of a movie. Plus Gerard Butler, always a plus! When the movie was over we headed back and got ready for bed, considering the lights were off we can't really see a whole lot. Off to bed it was for a 'busy' day of tourist things! Cheers
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Oh, Rachel, it's London, go out an explore!
March 17th
As we have all memorized by now my Wednesday is full of classes. I left Rachel to do what she wanted for the day. I went off to class and came back for lunch, Rachel and I made some lunch and then I was off again to go back to class. At Lunch Rachel had been in the room, she still hadn't left. She was thinking of possibly seeing the Changing of the Guards in the morning. Off I was to my next class, art in London. Another museum. Then I went straight to LMU so I could eat my supper and write a paper that was due for Thursday, also my Tuesday night was spent writing a paper for my Wednesday morning class. None of the papers are any good though :s Finally my class, Victorian London, started. As soon as we were done I hurried out of class and rushed back to VH. I first stopped by Sainsbury's to get some tortellini for Rachel and I. I got two things of tortellini and sauce for a little over three pounds. That made me very happy, two meals for very, very cheap. I finally made it back an started making us supper. Then I found out that Rachel didn't do anything all day except watch the telly and read her books. A little sad she didn't go out, but somewhat understandable. She is in a new place and for her getting lost shouldn't be an option, especially since she doesn't know how to get back. The rest of the evening, after supper, was spent writing my paper while we watched the telly and Rachel read. Thursday will be a better day, since I only have classes for part of the day, so the rest of it is left for us to go out and explore! Cheers
As we have all memorized by now my Wednesday is full of classes. I left Rachel to do what she wanted for the day. I went off to class and came back for lunch, Rachel and I made some lunch and then I was off again to go back to class. At Lunch Rachel had been in the room, she still hadn't left. She was thinking of possibly seeing the Changing of the Guards in the morning. Off I was to my next class, art in London. Another museum. Then I went straight to LMU so I could eat my supper and write a paper that was due for Thursday, also my Tuesday night was spent writing a paper for my Wednesday morning class. None of the papers are any good though :s Finally my class, Victorian London, started. As soon as we were done I hurried out of class and rushed back to VH. I first stopped by Sainsbury's to get some tortellini for Rachel and I. I got two things of tortellini and sauce for a little over three pounds. That made me very happy, two meals for very, very cheap. I finally made it back an started making us supper. Then I found out that Rachel didn't do anything all day except watch the telly and read her books. A little sad she didn't go out, but somewhat understandable. She is in a new place and for her getting lost shouldn't be an option, especially since she doesn't know how to get back. The rest of the evening, after supper, was spent writing my paper while we watched the telly and Rachel read. Thursday will be a better day, since I only have classes for part of the day, so the rest of it is left for us to go out and explore! Cheers
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Another day in the neighborhood
March 16th
Got up around 9 or so for breakfast. We left a little after 9 to head to Buckingham Palace. We were wanting to see the changing of the guards, which goes on around 11:30. It came to be 11 and Rachel had taken some pictures so we were just standing around. I eventually asked her if she would like to just go since we have a lot to see still. Turns out it wasn't even going to be happening today. We walked to Green Park Station where we got Rachel a day pass and then headed down to Waterloo Station to walk to Spring Gardens. A lot of books Rachel has read have had a place called Vauxhall Gardens in. It actually was a real place, but it was finally closed down in the later part of the 1800s, it was a middle/upper class place, seems quite extravagant. The only part of the park left is Spring Gardens; we walked through it and then took the tube up to Hyde Park. Once we got to Hyde Park we walked on the Kensington Garden side. We stopped at the Peter Pan sculpture, I do love Peter Pan, but it was Rachel's idea to see it today!
Peter Pan Sculpture
Peter and Wendy
Rachel and I then headed farther down the walk way and came upon Princess Diana's Memorial. It was a very cool memorial, too big to fit in all one picture though.
Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain opened by Her Majesty the Queen on 6th July 2004
Part of the Memorial
Another part of the fountain
After the fountain we headed over into Hyde Park, we were getting a little hungry so we stopped at the Serpentine Restaurant which was by the lake. We ordered some bread and butter and then a stone bake pizza. The pizza was delicious! After we were done eating we walked through more of Hyde Park towards Marble Arch, which I know is close to Primark. We got to Marble Arch, which is when I noticed the upside down horse head. I had first noticed the head when we were leaving London to Liverpool so I was pretty excited that I actually found it, since I had never really known where it was located.
Marble Arch
Upside down horse
We then walked over to Primark, I had to show her the ridiculous store! We kind of walked around the store and we both ended up buying some black tights. After we made our purchases we headed out and decided to head back to VH. It had been a long day. After we got back we set our things down and did some relaxing. The rest of the evening we watched some telly. We probably ate mac and cheese for supper and hung out the rest of the evening, relaxing. Over all, a very good first day! Cheers
Got up around 9 or so for breakfast. We left a little after 9 to head to Buckingham Palace. We were wanting to see the changing of the guards, which goes on around 11:30. It came to be 11 and Rachel had taken some pictures so we were just standing around. I eventually asked her if she would like to just go since we have a lot to see still. Turns out it wasn't even going to be happening today. We walked to Green Park Station where we got Rachel a day pass and then headed down to Waterloo Station to walk to Spring Gardens. A lot of books Rachel has read have had a place called Vauxhall Gardens in. It actually was a real place, but it was finally closed down in the later part of the 1800s, it was a middle/upper class place, seems quite extravagant. The only part of the park left is Spring Gardens; we walked through it and then took the tube up to Hyde Park. Once we got to Hyde Park we walked on the Kensington Garden side. We stopped at the Peter Pan sculpture, I do love Peter Pan, but it was Rachel's idea to see it today!
Rachel and I then headed farther down the walk way and came upon Princess Diana's Memorial. It was a very cool memorial, too big to fit in all one picture though.
After the fountain we headed over into Hyde Park, we were getting a little hungry so we stopped at the Serpentine Restaurant which was by the lake. We ordered some bread and butter and then a stone bake pizza. The pizza was delicious! After we were done eating we walked through more of Hyde Park towards Marble Arch, which I know is close to Primark. We got to Marble Arch, which is when I noticed the upside down horse head. I had first noticed the head when we were leaving London to Liverpool so I was pretty excited that I actually found it, since I had never really known where it was located.
We then walked over to Primark, I had to show her the ridiculous store! We kind of walked around the store and we both ended up buying some black tights. After we made our purchases we headed out and decided to head back to VH. It had been a long day. After we got back we set our things down and did some relaxing. The rest of the evening we watched some telly. We probably ate mac and cheese for supper and hung out the rest of the evening, relaxing. Over all, a very good first day! Cheers
Rachel came!
March 15th, start of Rachel's stay
I woke up Monday morning 'rearing' to go, I most likely did not want to get out of bed. I had to though. I showered and ate some breakfast, Rachel's flight was to get in around 10:50. I made it out the door a little later than I expected, and I took the Piccadilly line, which seems to take forever! I got to the arrival gate at Terminal 4 though, waiting for her. I waited maybe 20-30 minutes hoping I didn't get the wrong terminal or if I missed her. I don't know what would have happened. She finally came out the doors though! I think we were both glad to see each other. We headed to the underground at Heathrow and bought Rachel a ticket. Quite expensive for a day trip, but I guess I had to do the same thing since I left my oyster card in my checked luggage, at least that is where I hope it is. We head onto the train, and have to wait a few minutes before it finally takes off. We were both very anxious to get back to where I am staying. The tube ride was too much for both of us, we were both quite tired. We finally arrived to VH where we set all of Rachel's things down. For the afternoon we just hung out in my room. Watching some telly and taking naps. Finally a little after 4:30 we got ourselves together and walked up towards Piccadilly Circus. Day tube passes are kind of expensive so I took us someplace that we could just walk to. We walked up Regent Street to Oxford Street, where I topped up my card, and then we headed back down. I wasn't exactly sure where we were going to end up, but I knew in what general direction we were headed, which would eventually end us in a place I was familiar with. We made to China Town, possibly and decided to grab something to eat. We looked at the different menus that the Chinese restaurants had up, but ended up going to Bella Italia, which I've been wanting to try, since I've seen it everywhere. We both ordered lasagne, which is very different in the UK. The lasagne is much more flat with a thick layer of some sort of cheese on top. I wasn't that fond of it, but since I was hungry I ate most of it. After we were done we continued our journey back, we eventually ended up by Leicester Square so I was able to guide us safely back to VH. I also had gotten a call earlier from United saying my luggage had arrived; when we got back my luggage was there and I was more than pleased to see it! We headed up to my room where we once again turned on the telly and watched some of that while I unpacked some of my things. Later on we headed to bed to rest for our first 'full' day of site seeing! Cheers
I woke up Monday morning 'rearing' to go, I most likely did not want to get out of bed. I had to though. I showered and ate some breakfast, Rachel's flight was to get in around 10:50. I made it out the door a little later than I expected, and I took the Piccadilly line, which seems to take forever! I got to the arrival gate at Terminal 4 though, waiting for her. I waited maybe 20-30 minutes hoping I didn't get the wrong terminal or if I missed her. I don't know what would have happened. She finally came out the doors though! I think we were both glad to see each other. We headed to the underground at Heathrow and bought Rachel a ticket. Quite expensive for a day trip, but I guess I had to do the same thing since I left my oyster card in my checked luggage, at least that is where I hope it is. We head onto the train, and have to wait a few minutes before it finally takes off. We were both very anxious to get back to where I am staying. The tube ride was too much for both of us, we were both quite tired. We finally arrived to VH where we set all of Rachel's things down. For the afternoon we just hung out in my room. Watching some telly and taking naps. Finally a little after 4:30 we got ourselves together and walked up towards Piccadilly Circus. Day tube passes are kind of expensive so I took us someplace that we could just walk to. We walked up Regent Street to Oxford Street, where I topped up my card, and then we headed back down. I wasn't exactly sure where we were going to end up, but I knew in what general direction we were headed, which would eventually end us in a place I was familiar with. We made to China Town, possibly and decided to grab something to eat. We looked at the different menus that the Chinese restaurants had up, but ended up going to Bella Italia, which I've been wanting to try, since I've seen it everywhere. We both ordered lasagne, which is very different in the UK. The lasagne is much more flat with a thick layer of some sort of cheese on top. I wasn't that fond of it, but since I was hungry I ate most of it. After we were done we continued our journey back, we eventually ended up by Leicester Square so I was able to guide us safely back to VH. I also had gotten a call earlier from United saying my luggage had arrived; when we got back my luggage was there and I was more than pleased to see it! We headed up to my room where we once again turned on the telly and watched some of that while I unpacked some of my things. Later on we headed to bed to rest for our first 'full' day of site seeing! Cheers
Monday, March 29, 2010
'Home' again
March 14th, London
Sunday, for me, started while still seated on a plane. But around 10, or maybe it was around 11, the plane finally landed and I was back in London. I dislike the UK Border Agency greatly here! I had to wait again while they made sure I could come into the country. Stupid visa people, and they had to put that into my passport, curse them all. I can't wait to get another passport so I can 'freely' come to Britain when I want to. After that was all cleared, the lady told me to bring my confirmation for when I am leaving the country, like that's going to do anything. Anyway, I then went in search of my luggage, which was not around. I stood in line for about 15 or so minutes with other people, it's the fogs fault, who didn't find their luggage either. Guess where mine was? Chicago, yay. Good thing I had some essentials in my carry on, as well as in my room. They told me it would arrive on a flight Monday morning, I think I can handle that. I then head to the tube to get the Piccadilly line to where I need to be. I finally make it back to VH, where I am glad to be. VH or home, preferably home, but since I'm in London I will choose VH, despite it's major problems.
Most of my day was spent semi unpacking my carry on suitcase and just relaxing. I did get a nap in which was very nice. After that the rest of the day was me sitting on my bed with my computer on my lap, talking with people and overall relaxing. For supper I made myself some noodle soup that I had brought with me. I brought quite a bit of food back, mac and cheese, noodle soup, Oreo's, and ranch dressing. (I'm not sure if I wrote that in a past post or not). Finally off to bed it was. Rachel is coming Monday morning, I am quite excited to have someone I know visit and to show them around, and just to have someone to hangout with and talk to in general! Cheers
Sunday, for me, started while still seated on a plane. But around 10, or maybe it was around 11, the plane finally landed and I was back in London. I dislike the UK Border Agency greatly here! I had to wait again while they made sure I could come into the country. Stupid visa people, and they had to put that into my passport, curse them all. I can't wait to get another passport so I can 'freely' come to Britain when I want to. After that was all cleared, the lady told me to bring my confirmation for when I am leaving the country, like that's going to do anything. Anyway, I then went in search of my luggage, which was not around. I stood in line for about 15 or so minutes with other people, it's the fogs fault, who didn't find their luggage either. Guess where mine was? Chicago, yay. Good thing I had some essentials in my carry on, as well as in my room. They told me it would arrive on a flight Monday morning, I think I can handle that. I then head to the tube to get the Piccadilly line to where I need to be. I finally make it back to VH, where I am glad to be. VH or home, preferably home, but since I'm in London I will choose VH, despite it's major problems.
Most of my day was spent semi unpacking my carry on suitcase and just relaxing. I did get a nap in which was very nice. After that the rest of the day was me sitting on my bed with my computer on my lap, talking with people and overall relaxing. For supper I made myself some noodle soup that I had brought with me. I brought quite a bit of food back, mac and cheese, noodle soup, Oreo's, and ranch dressing. (I'm not sure if I wrote that in a past post or not). Finally off to bed it was. Rachel is coming Monday morning, I am quite excited to have someone I know visit and to show them around, and just to have someone to hangout with and talk to in general! Cheers
Sunday, March 28, 2010
On the road again
March 13th, after wedding brunch and departure
Up in the morning to shower and wash all the hairspray out of my hair. I had to grab my bigger suitcase so I could finish packing my things. In London I will now have two bigger suitcases and my tiny baby suitcase. After making sure I got everything packed and everyone else was packed up we headed to MiMi's Cafe for brunch. Amy's parents put this together with a set menu and people from out of town were invited. About 40+ people all squeezed into the back room. More mingling and talking with everyone. Finally the newlyweds arrived and it was time for breakfast, or lunch. It was about noon. I ordered an apple juice, which came in a tall glass making it look like beer with no foam, and Belgium waffle with eggs and bacon, again ate most of it. Time was ticking away pretty fast this morning. The whole time I was sitting there I was fighting back tears because I didn't want to leave. How emotional am I? Pretty, at times, but it's all right. After finishing and talking some more with people it was finally time to say goodbye. The Roth family is late to a lot of things and we're even late saying goodbye, as in we were wanting to leave around 1 but we left after that. We finally left MiMi's Cafe and headed to the airport, we parked and headed in so Rachel and I could both check into our flights. Long story short, it was quite foggy outside, so my flight to Chicago was delayed until 4, then to about 7. Rachel accidentally booked her flight a month earlier. For a couple hours we were on the phone with different people trying to get Rachel's flight figured out. We got her a new flight and she was leaving out of Chicago Sunday evening. Since my flight was delayed that meant I missed my flight to D.C. and then to London. I was put on standby in Chicago for a flight to London that was leaving around 9 that night. Gwen, my dad's cousin was also on the flight to Chicago and she was already at the gate so she was keeping us updated on when it was going to start boarding and take off. Around 4 or thereafter she gave us a call to say the flight was leaving now around 5:30. That meant I had to "hurry" my goodbye's. Another very hard thing to do. I mustered up my energy to say goodbye to my family and wish Rachel a safe flight and to also say goodbye to Joe, who was a trooper and hung out with us all during this time, evening buying us all a pop/water. Off I was through security and to my gate. I met up with Gwen who was standing with all the other people waiting for our flight. We finally boarded and even took off slightly after 5. I listened to music on the ride over to Chicago. Once in Chicago I said goodbye to Gwen and headed to a United information desk.
Since a lot of flights were delayed and canceled going into and out of Chicago, United had a very long line. Of course, I got stuck with the "young, hip" mother taking two girls (possibly bother her daughters) to Orlando for spring break. Since she missed her flight as well she was not happy. She kept complaining that they better get them a room and blah, blah, blah. I kind of wanted to turn to her and tell her to please stop complaining, she was going to Orlando, I had to get a to London. Some people, goodness. I was eventually the next in line and when it was my turn I handed my tickets over to the lady at the counter and told her I needed to be put on standby for the 9:00 pm flight to London. She told me that was not possibly since I was supposed to be going to D.C. and then to London. This day was already filled with a ton of things going on, I didn't need her telling me I couldn't make it to London. I then told her that the lady in Des Moines said I was put onto standby already, she looked further and said that was true and that I am booked to leave on this flight. Fantastic. She tells me the gate and off I go. I did spot an Auntie Anne's Pretzel place, and I can not resist those, so happy supper to me. I get to my gate, find out my phone has no battery life left so I ask a kind stranger if I can borrow his phone. He lets me and I call my mom to tell her I am safe and should be in London in the morning. I don't get an assigned seat until most of the people have boarded, very, very nerve racking. Now, I just have to say that I don't like how United Airlines does there international movie/tv show thing. They start movies on different channels all at the same time. Of course, you have no idea what you are watching until you can land on the opening title, or you just watch until you realize what it is. Oh, the screens are also kind of small. Delta, now that was nice. They had a touch screen and you could pick a movie, show, game, music, whatever you wanted to do. You could start, pause, or stop it whenever; you knew what you were watching too. United didn't have very many good movies playing either. I ended up watching parts of Blues Brothers, when I wasn't sleeping. The food wasn't the greatest either, at least breakfast. Supper was noodles and marinara sauce, not too bad. The roll wasn't very big though and no crackers and cheese. Sad day for me. Remind me not to fly United internationally again. (no offense to them). For most of the flight I slept, ate when food was coming around and sometimes watched a movie. Otherwise my Saturday then turns into my Sunday...
Up in the morning to shower and wash all the hairspray out of my hair. I had to grab my bigger suitcase so I could finish packing my things. In London I will now have two bigger suitcases and my tiny baby suitcase. After making sure I got everything packed and everyone else was packed up we headed to MiMi's Cafe for brunch. Amy's parents put this together with a set menu and people from out of town were invited. About 40+ people all squeezed into the back room. More mingling and talking with everyone. Finally the newlyweds arrived and it was time for breakfast, or lunch. It was about noon. I ordered an apple juice, which came in a tall glass making it look like beer with no foam, and Belgium waffle with eggs and bacon, again ate most of it. Time was ticking away pretty fast this morning. The whole time I was sitting there I was fighting back tears because I didn't want to leave. How emotional am I? Pretty, at times, but it's all right. After finishing and talking some more with people it was finally time to say goodbye. The Roth family is late to a lot of things and we're even late saying goodbye, as in we were wanting to leave around 1 but we left after that. We finally left MiMi's Cafe and headed to the airport, we parked and headed in so Rachel and I could both check into our flights. Long story short, it was quite foggy outside, so my flight to Chicago was delayed until 4, then to about 7. Rachel accidentally booked her flight a month earlier. For a couple hours we were on the phone with different people trying to get Rachel's flight figured out. We got her a new flight and she was leaving out of Chicago Sunday evening. Since my flight was delayed that meant I missed my flight to D.C. and then to London. I was put on standby in Chicago for a flight to London that was leaving around 9 that night. Gwen, my dad's cousin was also on the flight to Chicago and she was already at the gate so she was keeping us updated on when it was going to start boarding and take off. Around 4 or thereafter she gave us a call to say the flight was leaving now around 5:30. That meant I had to "hurry" my goodbye's. Another very hard thing to do. I mustered up my energy to say goodbye to my family and wish Rachel a safe flight and to also say goodbye to Joe, who was a trooper and hung out with us all during this time, evening buying us all a pop/water. Off I was through security and to my gate. I met up with Gwen who was standing with all the other people waiting for our flight. We finally boarded and even took off slightly after 5. I listened to music on the ride over to Chicago. Once in Chicago I said goodbye to Gwen and headed to a United information desk.
Since a lot of flights were delayed and canceled going into and out of Chicago, United had a very long line. Of course, I got stuck with the "young, hip" mother taking two girls (possibly bother her daughters) to Orlando for spring break. Since she missed her flight as well she was not happy. She kept complaining that they better get them a room and blah, blah, blah. I kind of wanted to turn to her and tell her to please stop complaining, she was going to Orlando, I had to get a to London. Some people, goodness. I was eventually the next in line and when it was my turn I handed my tickets over to the lady at the counter and told her I needed to be put on standby for the 9:00 pm flight to London. She told me that was not possibly since I was supposed to be going to D.C. and then to London. This day was already filled with a ton of things going on, I didn't need her telling me I couldn't make it to London. I then told her that the lady in Des Moines said I was put onto standby already, she looked further and said that was true and that I am booked to leave on this flight. Fantastic. She tells me the gate and off I go. I did spot an Auntie Anne's Pretzel place, and I can not resist those, so happy supper to me. I get to my gate, find out my phone has no battery life left so I ask a kind stranger if I can borrow his phone. He lets me and I call my mom to tell her I am safe and should be in London in the morning. I don't get an assigned seat until most of the people have boarded, very, very nerve racking. Now, I just have to say that I don't like how United Airlines does there international movie/tv show thing. They start movies on different channels all at the same time. Of course, you have no idea what you are watching until you can land on the opening title, or you just watch until you realize what it is. Oh, the screens are also kind of small. Delta, now that was nice. They had a touch screen and you could pick a movie, show, game, music, whatever you wanted to do. You could start, pause, or stop it whenever; you knew what you were watching too. United didn't have very many good movies playing either. I ended up watching parts of Blues Brothers, when I wasn't sleeping. The food wasn't the greatest either, at least breakfast. Supper was noodles and marinara sauce, not too bad. The roll wasn't very big though and no crackers and cheese. Sad day for me. Remind me not to fly United internationally again. (no offense to them). For most of the flight I slept, ate when food was coming around and sometimes watched a movie. Otherwise my Saturday then turns into my Sunday...
Friday, March 26, 2010
Big Day!
March 12th, Wedding day
The day started off by all of us getting up, we showered and semi got ready for the day. My family and I, minus Matt, all walked over to Perkin's for some breakfast. I got eggs, toast, bacon, and breakfast potatoes, I even ate most of it, haven't done that in a while. We headed back to our hotel room where I parents left us to visit relatives at a different hotel and left us girls to wait for Amy so we could get our hair done. About 10 til 11 Amy called to let us know she would be downstairs waiting for us, since we had no idea where the hair salon was. We met here there and off we were. The hair salon was supposed to be across the street from Jordan Creek, wrong. The business decided to move all of the employees to another location, without telling Amy, thanks guys. Amy called them to let them know we would be late and off we were again. Once we got there it wasn't long before all of us were in our chairs getting our hair done. I didn't want an updo so I opted for half up and in curls. It turned out quite great.
After we got back and started getting ready, my parents finally came back. There was a small dilemma when my dad's tux didn't fit, but he got it switched so all turned out great in the end. We were a tad late to the Botanical Center, but the photographer did pictures with Matt and Amy first. They both looked so great, Amy just looked gorgeous! The girls and I changed into our dresses and headed to where the reception was going to take place. We stood around for a while, taking more pictures of the room and then headed out to the garden to see all the action that was going on. While Matt an Amy were taking their own pictures with the photographer, we again took more...if I can figure out what is going on with the pictures I will try to add some. Finally it was our turn, and it didn't take too long. 6:00pm crept up on us very quick and it was time for us to retreat to the back while guests were arriving. When it time came for the ceremony, it was lovely. I'm not sure I have seen my brother that happy before and I loved it. So...Congratulations to Matt and Amy!!!
After the ceremony we headed to the back where the reception would be, they stood in their little "line", two person line really, and greeted all the guests. Saw more family and friends I hadn't seen since last year sometime. It was time for the bridal party to walk in and while we stood by our table Matt and Amy walked in, to Star Wars of course. Only in my family :) Dinner was delicious, with chicken alfredo, other noodles in sauce, with salad, and of course chips and a couple different types of cheese. Moving on, I can't remember if it was before we ate or after but Matt and Amy did their first dance as a couple, and then there was a bridal party dance, we all decided beforehand that we would all hold hands in a big circle and skip and dance around them both. Good times had by all. The rest of the evening was mingling with people and dancing. Not a lot of people actually danced, but Rachel and I had a good time on the dance floor. It was also the first time I actually danced with Joe. I'll leave it at that ;)
After most of the people left I headed back to the hotel with Matt and Amy so I could hide Matt's car. Matt has done horrible things to all of his groomsmen cars and they wanted to get him back good. I took care of it though and hid it very well in another hotel's parking lot in the back. After I hid the car Joe dropped me off at my hotel and off I was to change and get ready for bed. Saturday is going to be a big day with the brunch and saying goodbye to my family once again.
I do like to dance.
The day started off by all of us getting up, we showered and semi got ready for the day. My family and I, minus Matt, all walked over to Perkin's for some breakfast. I got eggs, toast, bacon, and breakfast potatoes, I even ate most of it, haven't done that in a while. We headed back to our hotel room where I parents left us to visit relatives at a different hotel and left us girls to wait for Amy so we could get our hair done. About 10 til 11 Amy called to let us know she would be downstairs waiting for us, since we had no idea where the hair salon was. We met here there and off we were. The hair salon was supposed to be across the street from Jordan Creek, wrong. The business decided to move all of the employees to another location, without telling Amy, thanks guys. Amy called them to let them know we would be late and off we were again. Once we got there it wasn't long before all of us were in our chairs getting our hair done. I didn't want an updo so I opted for half up and in curls. It turned out quite great.
After we got back and started getting ready, my parents finally came back. There was a small dilemma when my dad's tux didn't fit, but he got it switched so all turned out great in the end. We were a tad late to the Botanical Center, but the photographer did pictures with Matt and Amy first. They both looked so great, Amy just looked gorgeous! The girls and I changed into our dresses and headed to where the reception was going to take place. We stood around for a while, taking more pictures of the room and then headed out to the garden to see all the action that was going on. While Matt an Amy were taking their own pictures with the photographer, we again took more...if I can figure out what is going on with the pictures I will try to add some. Finally it was our turn, and it didn't take too long. 6:00pm crept up on us very quick and it was time for us to retreat to the back while guests were arriving. When it time came for the ceremony, it was lovely. I'm not sure I have seen my brother that happy before and I loved it. So...Congratulations to Matt and Amy!!!
After the ceremony we headed to the back where the reception would be, they stood in their little "line", two person line really, and greeted all the guests. Saw more family and friends I hadn't seen since last year sometime. It was time for the bridal party to walk in and while we stood by our table Matt and Amy walked in, to Star Wars of course. Only in my family :) Dinner was delicious, with chicken alfredo, other noodles in sauce, with salad, and of course chips and a couple different types of cheese. Moving on, I can't remember if it was before we ate or after but Matt and Amy did their first dance as a couple, and then there was a bridal party dance, we all decided beforehand that we would all hold hands in a big circle and skip and dance around them both. Good times had by all. The rest of the evening was mingling with people and dancing. Not a lot of people actually danced, but Rachel and I had a good time on the dance floor. It was also the first time I actually danced with Joe. I'll leave it at that ;)
Fancy meeting you here
March 11th, Wedding Eve
Thursday, the day of my dentist appointment, packing again, rehearsal, and rehearsal dinner.
My teeth are perfect, the only thing messed up about my mouth area are my ridiculously large tonsils. I do enjoy the comment my dentist makes though when he finally checks my teeth for about 10 seconds after they're being done cleaning. After my teeth got cleaned I headed off to Hy-Vee and Wal-Mart where I picked up food and a ton of contact solution to take back to London with me. Then back to my house where I enjoyed my delicious La Juanita's burrito Joe brought me and finished packing. What is it with me having to unpack and repack all in a day's time. Not good. My mom arrived home and her and Gretchen got some Taco John's, then we headed to Uncle Nancy's for something to drink and then off to pick up Rachel. We planned to meet dad in Des Moines in the afternoon, for the rehearsal. Rachel was finishing up getting papers done, so Gretchen and I decided to head to her room and hang out there for a bit. After some time we were finally headed off to Des Moines. We didn't have enough time to go to the hotel and change so we headed straight to the Botanical Center, where we were early. No worries, that is a good thing and we looked through the gift shop. Everyone started trickling in, pretty much haven't seen most of the people in the wedding party in a long time. Anyway, we finally started and it didn't take too long. The bridal party stood in their 'designated' areas, while Cherri talked to Matt and Amy about what they were going to do. We practiced the walk in and walk outs and then ended up standing around for awhile, so we took some pictures. We finally left to our hotel room to get ready for the rehearsal dinner.
Dinner was at the Iowa Machine Shed, good ol' Iowa 'home' cooking. It was great to be home and see everyone, especially the family I usually see once a year. I enjoyed meeting some of Amy's family too, they all seemed like great people. For dinner we had mashed potatoes, fried chicken and ham. Also, cole slaw and cottage cheese. I stuck with the chicken, ham, and potatoes. Delicious! I wish I could have eaten more, but well worth it. My dad did a great job of picking out the food. We also had the groom's cake, Amy ordered a baseball cake, with the St. Louis Cardinals logo and Pujol's signature on it, pretty awesome.
Shortly after we headed back to our hotel room, where my parents headed up to a relatives place and the girls and I watched some telly, also I tried to stay awake while showing Joe my 431 Scotland pictures. It didn't go over too well. Yay for starting to fall asleep at 10!
Friday is the big day! I'm very excited to see what comes of it :D
Cheers
Thursday, the day of my dentist appointment, packing again, rehearsal, and rehearsal dinner.
My teeth are perfect, the only thing messed up about my mouth area are my ridiculously large tonsils. I do enjoy the comment my dentist makes though when he finally checks my teeth for about 10 seconds after they're being done cleaning. After my teeth got cleaned I headed off to Hy-Vee and Wal-Mart where I picked up food and a ton of contact solution to take back to London with me. Then back to my house where I enjoyed my delicious La Juanita's burrito Joe brought me and finished packing. What is it with me having to unpack and repack all in a day's time. Not good. My mom arrived home and her and Gretchen got some Taco John's, then we headed to Uncle Nancy's for something to drink and then off to pick up Rachel. We planned to meet dad in Des Moines in the afternoon, for the rehearsal. Rachel was finishing up getting papers done, so Gretchen and I decided to head to her room and hang out there for a bit. After some time we were finally headed off to Des Moines. We didn't have enough time to go to the hotel and change so we headed straight to the Botanical Center, where we were early. No worries, that is a good thing and we looked through the gift shop. Everyone started trickling in, pretty much haven't seen most of the people in the wedding party in a long time. Anyway, we finally started and it didn't take too long. The bridal party stood in their 'designated' areas, while Cherri talked to Matt and Amy about what they were going to do. We practiced the walk in and walk outs and then ended up standing around for awhile, so we took some pictures. We finally left to our hotel room to get ready for the rehearsal dinner.
Dinner was at the Iowa Machine Shed, good ol' Iowa 'home' cooking. It was great to be home and see everyone, especially the family I usually see once a year. I enjoyed meeting some of Amy's family too, they all seemed like great people. For dinner we had mashed potatoes, fried chicken and ham. Also, cole slaw and cottage cheese. I stuck with the chicken, ham, and potatoes. Delicious! I wish I could have eaten more, but well worth it. My dad did a great job of picking out the food. We also had the groom's cake, Amy ordered a baseball cake, with the St. Louis Cardinals logo and Pujol's signature on it, pretty awesome.
Shortly after we headed back to our hotel room, where my parents headed up to a relatives place and the girls and I watched some telly, also I tried to stay awake while showing Joe my 431 Scotland pictures. It didn't go over too well. Yay for starting to fall asleep at 10!
Friday is the big day! I'm very excited to see what comes of it :D
Cheers
Monday, March 22, 2010
Glad I didn't miss my flight
Wednesday morning, March 10th, the day I was going to get up at 5:30.
I awaken, noticing there is light shining through the cracks on the blinds. I turn my head to see what time it is, it is 8:13am. Definitely not the time I was supposed to wake up. My flight was leaving at 9:40, I'm in the middle of London with about a 50 tube ride between me and Heathrow. Thankfully I had all of my things laid out the night before. I grab my clothes and rush into the bathroom where I quickly put my contacts in, brush my teeth and whatever else I need to do. I put on my coat and hurry out the door with my luggage. Also, a good thing I checked in the night before and am not checking a bag. I scurry off to the tube station and have to ride that for a long time. The whole time looking at my watch, hoping I don't miss this flight, because I have no clue what I'm going to do otherwise. I finally arrive to Heathrow, I'm not exactly sure what time, I will say between 9:20-9:30. I rush to security, get through and don't know what gate I am at. I ask a couple people who are working there, one asks what time my flight leaves and I say 9:40, he says something along the lines of that's not a lot of time, I can't remember. One lady shows me the board and walks with me there. I find it and then rush off to where it is. I see a sign for it and think it's close, think again, it's the longest walk ever. Like green mile, but longer probably. I eventually start to run as I hear the lady over the intercom call out the last call for passengers on my plane, and also my name being called. I have to have my boarding pass checked before I can get into the gates and I start running some more. The people at the desk say it's ok to calm down, as I am breathing heavily and sweating from nerves and being anxious. I then head to the airplane. I feel much more relaxed when I see the line of people still waiting to get on the plane. I get to my seat and my nice seat neighbor puts my bag up top for me. He had, it seemed like, a Texas accent, I'm not sure though. He was heading to Florida for a wedding on Saturday, while I was heading to Iowa for a wedding on Friday. At the end of the flight I found out that he used to travel to and from China about every two weeks. What a life.
On the flight we were fed lunch, I believe it was chicken breast, not too bad, except for the stuff it was laying in. I also watched four movies :) Successful flight? I think yes! I watched Alvin in the Chipmunks 2, don't judge, it was free. I also watched Fantastic Mr. Fox and The Informant, as well as Amelia, which is a very sad movie. I ended my trip watching an episode of The Tudors and a partial episode of Family guy before the plane landed. I headed to customs, knowing that going back to my country would take less time than trying to get into the crazy UK, who decided to up their security on people. Since I checked in a tad too early in London I had to get a boarding pass to go back through security. I went to search out my gate, found it and headed off to Wendy's, delicious! I went to my gate and asked about my seat assignment, I would have to wait, until they started boarding. The lady comes on later asking for volunteers to give their seats up, not always a good sign. At this point I am hoping that I get a seat so I can go home, otherwise my night will be ruined. God was on my side Wednesday though, and I thank him to the bottom of my heart for it. I finally got a seat on the flight! I wouldn't have to end up calling people in Iowa saying that I wasn't going to make it. After finally making it to Iowa I head down to where Joe is waiting to pick me up. Then off we go to my house!
It was great to be home, nothing really different. I hugged everyone, well my mom. Rachel was still at the school and my dad and Gretchen. I started 'unpacking' my presents for people. I got my mom a Big Ben teapot, to go with her other ones. I got Gretchen a hairy coo, my dad an astronomy book from the Royal Observatory, Joe an Arsenal flag and kilt towel, and for Matt a Manchester United flag. I didn't get Rachel anything since she would be coming to London, maybe when I head home I'll pick something up for her. It was more hello's when Rachel, Gretchen and dad arrived! For supper my mom made us pork loin, cheesy hash browns and carrots with ranch dip. It was delicious! Also really nice not having to cook and having a really good fulfilling meal. After that we watched some telly and I definitely started to get extremely tired around ten-ish. Joe left around midnight and I finally headed off for a good nights sleep, since I had been up for about 22 hours, technically, with the time change and all. A good day it was, after God helped me through of course. Cheers
I awaken, noticing there is light shining through the cracks on the blinds. I turn my head to see what time it is, it is 8:13am. Definitely not the time I was supposed to wake up. My flight was leaving at 9:40, I'm in the middle of London with about a 50 tube ride between me and Heathrow. Thankfully I had all of my things laid out the night before. I grab my clothes and rush into the bathroom where I quickly put my contacts in, brush my teeth and whatever else I need to do. I put on my coat and hurry out the door with my luggage. Also, a good thing I checked in the night before and am not checking a bag. I scurry off to the tube station and have to ride that for a long time. The whole time looking at my watch, hoping I don't miss this flight, because I have no clue what I'm going to do otherwise. I finally arrive to Heathrow, I'm not exactly sure what time, I will say between 9:20-9:30. I rush to security, get through and don't know what gate I am at. I ask a couple people who are working there, one asks what time my flight leaves and I say 9:40, he says something along the lines of that's not a lot of time, I can't remember. One lady shows me the board and walks with me there. I find it and then rush off to where it is. I see a sign for it and think it's close, think again, it's the longest walk ever. Like green mile, but longer probably. I eventually start to run as I hear the lady over the intercom call out the last call for passengers on my plane, and also my name being called. I have to have my boarding pass checked before I can get into the gates and I start running some more. The people at the desk say it's ok to calm down, as I am breathing heavily and sweating from nerves and being anxious. I then head to the airplane. I feel much more relaxed when I see the line of people still waiting to get on the plane. I get to my seat and my nice seat neighbor puts my bag up top for me. He had, it seemed like, a Texas accent, I'm not sure though. He was heading to Florida for a wedding on Saturday, while I was heading to Iowa for a wedding on Friday. At the end of the flight I found out that he used to travel to and from China about every two weeks. What a life.
On the flight we were fed lunch, I believe it was chicken breast, not too bad, except for the stuff it was laying in. I also watched four movies :) Successful flight? I think yes! I watched Alvin in the Chipmunks 2, don't judge, it was free. I also watched Fantastic Mr. Fox and The Informant, as well as Amelia, which is a very sad movie. I ended my trip watching an episode of The Tudors and a partial episode of Family guy before the plane landed. I headed to customs, knowing that going back to my country would take less time than trying to get into the crazy UK, who decided to up their security on people. Since I checked in a tad too early in London I had to get a boarding pass to go back through security. I went to search out my gate, found it and headed off to Wendy's, delicious! I went to my gate and asked about my seat assignment, I would have to wait, until they started boarding. The lady comes on later asking for volunteers to give their seats up, not always a good sign. At this point I am hoping that I get a seat so I can go home, otherwise my night will be ruined. God was on my side Wednesday though, and I thank him to the bottom of my heart for it. I finally got a seat on the flight! I wouldn't have to end up calling people in Iowa saying that I wasn't going to make it. After finally making it to Iowa I head down to where Joe is waiting to pick me up. Then off we go to my house!
It was great to be home, nothing really different. I hugged everyone, well my mom. Rachel was still at the school and my dad and Gretchen. I started 'unpacking' my presents for people. I got my mom a Big Ben teapot, to go with her other ones. I got Gretchen a hairy coo, my dad an astronomy book from the Royal Observatory, Joe an Arsenal flag and kilt towel, and for Matt a Manchester United flag. I didn't get Rachel anything since she would be coming to London, maybe when I head home I'll pick something up for her. It was more hello's when Rachel, Gretchen and dad arrived! For supper my mom made us pork loin, cheesy hash browns and carrots with ranch dip. It was delicious! Also really nice not having to cook and having a really good fulfilling meal. After that we watched some telly and I definitely started to get extremely tired around ten-ish. Joe left around midnight and I finally headed off for a good nights sleep, since I had been up for about 22 hours, technically, with the time change and all. A good day it was, after God helped me through of course. Cheers
Packing yet again
I tried to add pictures, but that didn't end very well. I would add the fourth picture and firefox would quit, so I eventually gave up on adding those.
Even though I went to bed pretty late, I decided to wake up at 9 so I could get something to eat. My day didn't consist of going out an wandering around. I had to put my things away from my weekend in Scotland, and then I had to repack for my short trip to Iowa. I did get a little nap in though, while a movie, Dear John, was loading on my computer. I figured out all the homework I needed to get done. I also finished my book for a class that is due next week. I'm on top of reading here. It's nice, not like at BV where I had just a couple days to read a book, I now have one week to read a book. A book that is not even 200 words. Literally, the rest of my day was watching a movie and making sure I had all my things packed. I set my alarm for 5:30am so I would get to the airport at a fairly decent time. I then headed off to bed around midnight knowing all my bags were packed and my clothes were laid out for me to just 'hop' on into them.
P.S. - sorry these posts are so late. It's been a very busy past couple weeks! Hope you don't mind all the reading heading your way.
Even though I went to bed pretty late, I decided to wake up at 9 so I could get something to eat. My day didn't consist of going out an wandering around. I had to put my things away from my weekend in Scotland, and then I had to repack for my short trip to Iowa. I did get a little nap in though, while a movie, Dear John, was loading on my computer. I figured out all the homework I needed to get done. I also finished my book for a class that is due next week. I'm on top of reading here. It's nice, not like at BV where I had just a couple days to read a book, I now have one week to read a book. A book that is not even 200 words. Literally, the rest of my day was watching a movie and making sure I had all my things packed. I set my alarm for 5:30am so I would get to the airport at a fairly decent time. I then headed off to bed around midnight knowing all my bags were packed and my clothes were laid out for me to just 'hop' on into them.
P.S. - sorry these posts are so late. It's been a very busy past couple weeks! Hope you don't mind all the reading heading your way.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
4 hour train ride turned into an 8 hour train ride
I started off my day by getting up at 7:15 and not wanting too. I finally did and started packing things into my backpack. (I hope I’ll be able to pack everything I need for spring break in my tiny suitcase, my backpack was full.) I showered and got everything organized and ready so I could leave. I headed downstairs around 8:45 which didn’t really leave me time to eat breakfast at the hostel. I asked for the key to luggage storage and left my things in there, trusting no one would steal anything. (storing luggage in there at my own risk, according to the sign) I headed off to Starbucks to meet up with Katie and Emily. Katie Holmes by the way, I know someone famous! Haha I was actually early, about 5-10 minutes early, the first to arrive was Katie and then Emily made her way down the street towards us. We got some something to drink and sat down in the additional seating area upstairs, thank goodness there was an upstairs. We sat and talked for a bit before deciding to head out. We headed down to the Haggis building where we bought ourselves some Scotland Wild & Sexy shirts. Then we headed towards the castle. We didn’t go in, since it costs about 11 pounds and needs at least 2-3 hours of your time, which none of us had. We got some pictures of the castle and also of the school that Harry Potter may be based after. We walked down to Princes Park, after walking five flights of stairs a couple times, my legs were tired, but I stuck it out. It wasn’t that bad since it was all downhill. The park actually used to be the Nor Loch, something along those lines. Since the city is more set on a hill, when the rain came it ‘flushed’ all the sewage down to the loch, so the loch used to be very gross and smelly, they drained it and it is now a park, very beautiful. From the park you have a great view of the castle and other parts of the city. We headed back up to the Royal Mile and parted ways; Katie’s train was leaving at noon, Emily had to figure out where she was leaving to Tuesday and there was a free city tour going on at 11 I wanted to attend.
The free tour takes you to different places in the city of Edinburgh, the old city that is and is very informational. The tour guide we had was Seth and he was pretty funny. We went to the City Chamber building, the outside, and he told us some of the history of Edinburgh. We went to a sort of statue where they would have people yelling the news, and if you stole something your ear would be nailed to it. If you lasted all day or 24 hours the nail was taken out. For those who couldn’t stand being nailed to something, you could usually tell because they would have a torn ear, ouch. We were told about St. Giles Cathedral, or church, where three of the only four angels playing bagpipes are at. We were shown the statue of King Charles II, and kind of saw where John Knox’ grave is, underneath the parking lot. There used to be a grave there, but they moved them all to somewhere else to put in parking. Since in John Knox’ will he put down that he wanted to be buried near the church he preached at, he had to stay. There is a yellow stone in the parking lot to show where he is buried. We made our way to outside of The Hub, where Seth told us they have concerts and sell tickets there. He said it was a good place to come later on, when they were having performances around. Off we were to have a different angle of the castle, we went below it. He told us how when Scotland wanted to claim independence (yet again), they snuck into the castle with 30 men and took over. Our next stop was the Grass Market where we were told about Burke and Hare (that may be how his name was spelled). They were some pretty famous murderers back in the day. They suffocated people and sold them to a Dr. who was at one of the medical schools. The school usually got about 2 bodies per year from the government, so he would pay whatever for a body to come in so the students could study/dissect/learn from it. They eventually got caught, but Hare said it was Burke’s fault and he got hung and killed instead of Hare. What a good friend. The Grass Market used to be the place to come to buy opium and drugs; it’s a street with a lot of pubs/restaurants. We learned about Maggie Dickson, whose husband was always away started to work at a pub for some money and ended up falling in love with the landowner’s son. They had to sneak around since only the husband could ask for a divorce; she became pregnant and for seven months she hid it. When she had her baby it was stillborn. She was going to throw it into the river but didn’t have the heart so she buried it, but someone saw her and turned her in. She was hung, not for having an affair but for hiding her pregnancy which was against the law then. While she was being driven to the grave, the driver heard a banging on one of the coffins, when he stopped to see which one it was, he opened her coffin and out she came, alive. She wasn’t hung again since she was already proclaimed dead, also, she wasn’t married anymore since ‘death do us part’. She married the landowner’s son and attended hangings at the gallows in Grass Market.
Greyfriars was our next stop; there is a church there and also a grave, where many, many, many people are buried. A well known grave there is, John Grey’s grave. For many years he was a night watchman around the area. He decided to buy a dog; the dog was the tiniest thing, strange for a watchman to have a small dog. The dog’s name was Bobby. Two years after Grey got the dog he passed away, Bobby came to the funeral and for 14 years he sat by Grey’s grave. After Bobby died, they wanted to bury him in the church graveyard right next to Grey’s but since he wasn’t human, or Christian (no one know if he was Christian or now) he wasn’t able to be buried by his master. Instead he was buried outside of the churchyard. There is a statue erected in his honor. During the tour we got a semi close up view of the school that Harry Potter could be made after, we also saw the window the J.K. Rowling looked out of and where she worked on the first two Harry Potter books; in The Elephant House, I was thinking of eating there but ended up not going back. We headed back to the Royal Mile, which really isn’t a mile at all, it is longer than a mile, and then to Princes Park. We also passed the Writer’s Museum. When we got to the park, Seth told us about the Stone of Destiny, which was never replaced with a piece of Granite. Someone did steal it from Westminster though and a stone mason did put it back together. Scotland finally got it back in 1996, when the conservative party gave it back, hoping they’d get a vote from the Scot’s.. No such luck, the labour party offered them something better, their own parliament.
The park is where we ended the tour. I decided to walk ‘through’ New Edinburgh, to the Walter Scott Monument, it is huge! I then crossed over a bridge and walked back to the Royal Mile. I headed down towards Holyrood Palace, thinking I would be able to see part of it, not much luck. I think I saw a little bit of it, but not a lot so I headed back. I stopped at a few souvenir shops, and also a little fudge shop. I did buy myself a couple pieces of fudge, and I can’t wait until I eat them. I did buy some souvenirs, which people will find out later what they are. I then went and got my bags from the hostel. I got the key and headed down to the room, this is where it gets interesting. Some random guy is in there, well he had a bag in there, but he seemed kind of suspicious. I went back to my bag and saw that is lying on its back, not where I left it, and one of my small zippers was unzipped. I looked at him and he kind of looked at me and was maybe saying something. I was making sure that nothing was taken, which thankfully my oyster and railcard were still there as well as my passport, the main things I need. I am assuming that this man was going through my things. I still stole some glances at him, he was just standing there. Finally he said something and grabbed his bag and left. I should have said something to him, maybe asked him if he was going through my things. I don’t think he spoke a lot of English, he looked foreign. I then headed out with all of my stuff, a lot of stuff it was, and headed to the train station. I told myself I wouldn’t buy anything else, but I was hungry and I knew that an apple, chips and candy would not suffice, so I bought myself some Burger King. NOW, I can’t buy anything! I got to my train, and settled in. My whole trip I’m going to have someone sit by me, not too thrilled but not a lot I can do. I am looking forward to having the window seat yet again to see the scenery, at least part of the way.
About 15 minutes, by train, before the Newcastle stop our train stopped. Someone had stepped in front of the train and we hit it. I didn’t know that it was our train until I saw some police officers walking to the front of our train. The driver sounded very distraught, and he was later interviewed. I don’t know what goes through a person’s mind when they do something like that, but there’s something there. We were stopped for a little more than two hours, when our train started going again. We got to Newcastle station where everyone had to get off. That train was going to stop there, for investigation I assume. We waited at least another 30 minutes, since other trains were delayed as well. I did meet a nice woman while waiting though. I am not sure where she lives, a small town I know, but she recommends that I go to York, I may just have to. One of her daughters actually works for a producer at BBC, which I thought was very awesome. Someone her daughter knows also does something for Grand Prix, so they get to go to all of those races. Finally, a new train to Kings Cross came, around 8:20pm it showed up. We were on our way, I still had about three hours to go, I think. When we were a few stops from Kings Cross, the train ran over something, it just sounded like a branch. I believe train electrical people were out, and whatever we ran over broke something; someone came on the intercom and told us that we would have to go at 50 mph for the rest of the trip, which would delay us again. They later told us we would get there after midnight, fantastic! What was supposed to be about a 4-5 hour trip, turned into longer than 8 hours. That makes me super excited for my 8 hour plane flight on Wednesday. Going back somewhere always makes me not in a good mood either. With going back to London I just wanted to get back, poof, just show up, but that didn’t happen. With going back on Wednesday I will also feel that way, or hate leaving London.
When I got to Kings Cross, finally, after midnight I was a little worried that the tube wouldn’t be open and I am not good with the bus. It was still working, so I took the Victoria Line to Victoria Station and decided to quickly walk back to VH. I got back, and put all my stuff down; I showered, finally, and it felt amazing; I didn’t want to get out. I then talked to Joe for a bit telling him only a little about what I had done since I’ll see him Wednesday and it was super late and it was literally a very long day for me. Then off to bed it was! Hope everyone’s Monday was better than the last part of mine! Cheers
The free tour takes you to different places in the city of Edinburgh, the old city that is and is very informational. The tour guide we had was Seth and he was pretty funny. We went to the City Chamber building, the outside, and he told us some of the history of Edinburgh. We went to a sort of statue where they would have people yelling the news, and if you stole something your ear would be nailed to it. If you lasted all day or 24 hours the nail was taken out. For those who couldn’t stand being nailed to something, you could usually tell because they would have a torn ear, ouch. We were told about St. Giles Cathedral, or church, where three of the only four angels playing bagpipes are at. We were shown the statue of King Charles II, and kind of saw where John Knox’ grave is, underneath the parking lot. There used to be a grave there, but they moved them all to somewhere else to put in parking. Since in John Knox’ will he put down that he wanted to be buried near the church he preached at, he had to stay. There is a yellow stone in the parking lot to show where he is buried. We made our way to outside of The Hub, where Seth told us they have concerts and sell tickets there. He said it was a good place to come later on, when they were having performances around. Off we were to have a different angle of the castle, we went below it. He told us how when Scotland wanted to claim independence (yet again), they snuck into the castle with 30 men and took over. Our next stop was the Grass Market where we were told about Burke and Hare (that may be how his name was spelled). They were some pretty famous murderers back in the day. They suffocated people and sold them to a Dr. who was at one of the medical schools. The school usually got about 2 bodies per year from the government, so he would pay whatever for a body to come in so the students could study/dissect/learn from it. They eventually got caught, but Hare said it was Burke’s fault and he got hung and killed instead of Hare. What a good friend. The Grass Market used to be the place to come to buy opium and drugs; it’s a street with a lot of pubs/restaurants. We learned about Maggie Dickson, whose husband was always away started to work at a pub for some money and ended up falling in love with the landowner’s son. They had to sneak around since only the husband could ask for a divorce; she became pregnant and for seven months she hid it. When she had her baby it was stillborn. She was going to throw it into the river but didn’t have the heart so she buried it, but someone saw her and turned her in. She was hung, not for having an affair but for hiding her pregnancy which was against the law then. While she was being driven to the grave, the driver heard a banging on one of the coffins, when he stopped to see which one it was, he opened her coffin and out she came, alive. She wasn’t hung again since she was already proclaimed dead, also, she wasn’t married anymore since ‘death do us part’. She married the landowner’s son and attended hangings at the gallows in Grass Market.
Greyfriars was our next stop; there is a church there and also a grave, where many, many, many people are buried. A well known grave there is, John Grey’s grave. For many years he was a night watchman around the area. He decided to buy a dog; the dog was the tiniest thing, strange for a watchman to have a small dog. The dog’s name was Bobby. Two years after Grey got the dog he passed away, Bobby came to the funeral and for 14 years he sat by Grey’s grave. After Bobby died, they wanted to bury him in the church graveyard right next to Grey’s but since he wasn’t human, or Christian (no one know if he was Christian or now) he wasn’t able to be buried by his master. Instead he was buried outside of the churchyard. There is a statue erected in his honor. During the tour we got a semi close up view of the school that Harry Potter could be made after, we also saw the window the J.K. Rowling looked out of and where she worked on the first two Harry Potter books; in The Elephant House, I was thinking of eating there but ended up not going back. We headed back to the Royal Mile, which really isn’t a mile at all, it is longer than a mile, and then to Princes Park. We also passed the Writer’s Museum. When we got to the park, Seth told us about the Stone of Destiny, which was never replaced with a piece of Granite. Someone did steal it from Westminster though and a stone mason did put it back together. Scotland finally got it back in 1996, when the conservative party gave it back, hoping they’d get a vote from the Scot’s.. No such luck, the labour party offered them something better, their own parliament.
The park is where we ended the tour. I decided to walk ‘through’ New Edinburgh, to the Walter Scott Monument, it is huge! I then crossed over a bridge and walked back to the Royal Mile. I headed down towards Holyrood Palace, thinking I would be able to see part of it, not much luck. I think I saw a little bit of it, but not a lot so I headed back. I stopped at a few souvenir shops, and also a little fudge shop. I did buy myself a couple pieces of fudge, and I can’t wait until I eat them. I did buy some souvenirs, which people will find out later what they are. I then went and got my bags from the hostel. I got the key and headed down to the room, this is where it gets interesting. Some random guy is in there, well he had a bag in there, but he seemed kind of suspicious. I went back to my bag and saw that is lying on its back, not where I left it, and one of my small zippers was unzipped. I looked at him and he kind of looked at me and was maybe saying something. I was making sure that nothing was taken, which thankfully my oyster and railcard were still there as well as my passport, the main things I need. I am assuming that this man was going through my things. I still stole some glances at him, he was just standing there. Finally he said something and grabbed his bag and left. I should have said something to him, maybe asked him if he was going through my things. I don’t think he spoke a lot of English, he looked foreign. I then headed out with all of my stuff, a lot of stuff it was, and headed to the train station. I told myself I wouldn’t buy anything else, but I was hungry and I knew that an apple, chips and candy would not suffice, so I bought myself some Burger King. NOW, I can’t buy anything! I got to my train, and settled in. My whole trip I’m going to have someone sit by me, not too thrilled but not a lot I can do. I am looking forward to having the window seat yet again to see the scenery, at least part of the way.
About 15 minutes, by train, before the Newcastle stop our train stopped. Someone had stepped in front of the train and we hit it. I didn’t know that it was our train until I saw some police officers walking to the front of our train. The driver sounded very distraught, and he was later interviewed. I don’t know what goes through a person’s mind when they do something like that, but there’s something there. We were stopped for a little more than two hours, when our train started going again. We got to Newcastle station where everyone had to get off. That train was going to stop there, for investigation I assume. We waited at least another 30 minutes, since other trains were delayed as well. I did meet a nice woman while waiting though. I am not sure where she lives, a small town I know, but she recommends that I go to York, I may just have to. One of her daughters actually works for a producer at BBC, which I thought was very awesome. Someone her daughter knows also does something for Grand Prix, so they get to go to all of those races. Finally, a new train to Kings Cross came, around 8:20pm it showed up. We were on our way, I still had about three hours to go, I think. When we were a few stops from Kings Cross, the train ran over something, it just sounded like a branch. I believe train electrical people were out, and whatever we ran over broke something; someone came on the intercom and told us that we would have to go at 50 mph for the rest of the trip, which would delay us again. They later told us we would get there after midnight, fantastic! What was supposed to be about a 4-5 hour trip, turned into longer than 8 hours. That makes me super excited for my 8 hour plane flight on Wednesday. Going back somewhere always makes me not in a good mood either. With going back to London I just wanted to get back, poof, just show up, but that didn’t happen. With going back on Wednesday I will also feel that way, or hate leaving London.
When I got to Kings Cross, finally, after midnight I was a little worried that the tube wouldn’t be open and I am not good with the bus. It was still working, so I took the Victoria Line to Victoria Station and decided to quickly walk back to VH. I got back, and put all my stuff down; I showered, finally, and it felt amazing; I didn’t want to get out. I then talked to Joe for a bit telling him only a little about what I had done since I’ll see him Wednesday and it was super late and it was literally a very long day for me. Then off to bed it was! Hope everyone’s Monday was better than the last part of mine! Cheers
Monday, March 8, 2010
I don't want to leave...
Another day waking up in Fort Augustus, well it could have been better considering the room six of us shared was smaller than the room I share with Kiley in London, but it doesn’t matter. On this trip I didn’t bring any shampoo or conditioner, as my bottles are much too large and I don’t have small ones. I did pop into the shower, to save myself from looking like a grease ball for a few more hours. I will not recommend not bringing shampoo on a trip. I can’t believe I will be walking around Edinburgh on Monday with gross hair, oh well. That will teach me to get small bottles next time. When we arrived on Friday I mentioned how the card machine stopped working, it wasn’t working Saturday either. This morning, Sunday, after my shower and dressing I walked down into town to the cash machine. It was a nice cool morning, with low clouds. I got my 50 pounds out and headed back to our hostel. Since my hair was very wet still, it was a bit cold, but who am I kidding, I am always cold. Even people on this trip noticed I was cold a lot; made me laugh a little. After eating two pieces of toast and packing all of my things together, we were on our way.
We drove by Loch Ness, very beautiful. Loch Ness is about 20 plus miles long and at its widest is one mile wide. I can’t remember how deep it is, at the moment, but it is more than 200 metres deep, something like 230 something. The first 10/15 feet are salmon and trout, while below that are fish called ferox, cannibal fish. They come up to the surface at night to feed on the salmon and trout, so don’t go swimming, like one young man did one night. He went out swimming and when he was found he was bone. Apparently, they can become very big, about 18 feet is one of the biggest. Alan said that Loch Ness is a scientist’s paradise; there are so many things that have yet to be discovered in this loch. It used to be connected to the ocean, or some salt water, but after the last tectonic shift the land was closed up. Because of all the other bodies of water running into it, Loch Ness, over time, has become a fresh water loch. All the creatures/fish living in it have had to evolve to live in fresh water, even the little sponges. Alan said that one of his good friends is one of the people who is looking after the loch, in a way, and trying to find out more about it. He has a boat equipped with sonar things. Alan even had a picture on his phone of something they found. He said that there are giant creatures living under there, and of course since the water is so thick and dark, we are never able to discover it. Loch Ness is one of the most mysterious loch’s around.
Our first stop was to the Urquhart Castle, one of the biggest castles still around, well the ruins anyway. The visitor center wasn’t over yet so we couldn’t really go down, instead we stood along a wall, that has a sign saying ‘do not climb on wall’, to get better pictures. They are planting trees on the other side of the wall, so if you really want to see it, you will have to fork up 7 pounds or most likely more to see it. A bit ridiculous; Scotland likes their money. It was a beautiful view though, the sun was shining, and the castle is right by the loch which makes it much better.
Our next stop was about 10 minutes drive away and it was just a gift/coffee shop and there was a little statue of ‘Nessie’ out front and also a walk way down to the loch. I can’t really describe to you how it looked; besides it was, again, amazing! I even touched the water! Woo-Hoo! Then I took a rock. I saw no sign anywhere saying I could not take a rock. It was right by the loch and the water had touched it, take that. I have a little piece of Loch Ness coming home with me. I am quite pleased. I went back up to the shop and got a few things, which my family will see later on. I guess I can tell the rest of you what I got. I got a Scottish flag, I got the one that royals used back in the day, they didn’t have the other one (maybe in Edinburgh). I got a scarf, for clan Johnstone, which is not Johnson, but close enough! I got a necklace, a pill box (for all those pills I have lying around my drawers, only some of you know what I mean) and then a bracelet. I am hoping Edinburgh has some postcards and maybe the other Scottish flag. Since Germany, I wanted a flag of every country I visit(ed). Well, I still need a Germany flag, and I need an English flag, soon I’ll need a Welsh flag. That will be a lot of flags. In my future house I will have to have a room for all my stuff that I collect on my travels. Back to my day though…at the coffee shop I got a hot chocolate, worst 2.15 I’ve spent. Not good hot chocolate at all, quite disappointing.
Our next stop was Culloden Battlefields. Alan took us up to a little walkway which looks over the battlefield and he told us the story of what happened. Another battle over independence; Scotland still doesn’t have independence. It is a long story so if you want to hear it I can relay as much as I can remember back to you. I just don’t want to bore you at this moment with a long story about a battle. After Alan was done telling us the story we were set ‘free’ to go walk about the field and see the gravestones they have. The field was covered in snow; it reminded me of how much I hate walking on snow. After the battlefield we headed to a small town where we ate at a place called Tipsey’s Pub, I decided to eat another burger. That second burger made it official that Iowa beef is much better than Scottish beef. Sorry, Mark. Ah, and before going to the pub we drove through a town called Inverness. For the first time since the states I saw a house development area. It made me giggle to myself. Americans are the only crazy ones who want houses like their neighbors, Scottish people do too! While driving through town, Alan wanted us to look at all the munters that were walking about. Yep, a munter is an ugly people. Matt, maybe you can start using that word on people. Also learned that Queen Elizabeth II shouldn’t/isn’t the real queen; when Germany started the whole King/Queen thing over in the UK, or England, there was a rule that only true royal bloods could be a king or Queen. I believe that it was after King James II, something along those lines, that is when it was broken off, after he died. Apparently some guy by the surname Hastings is the true, rightful king, and he is living in some small town, small house off in Scotland; while the fake royal bloods are ruling away. That could be true.
Interesting fact of the day, ding ding ding, kangaroo means ‘over there’ in aborigine. All right, here are more facts, Robert Bruce is Scotland’s greatest hero and the actual ‘brave heart’. Dun means fortress and I believe keld means kilt (something like that).
Our next stop was to the small town of Dunkeld, hence my meanings up there. In the town is a cathedral that was built more than 1,000 years ago, and then another part of the church built almost 500 years ago. It is a beautiful cathedral; places just up from the river. It is a very peaceful area and I enjoyed it greatly.
After Dunkeld there were no more stops, but things were pointed out to us. In one small town, full of rich people, is a white castle, built by a very rich man, who died some years ago. There were no close living relatives except some nephew or other who lived in Johannesburg, South Africa. He was brought up to Scotland, where he lived only two seasons before giving the castle to the country and moving back to Africa, with a lot of money. He is still getting income from the castle which was turned into a museum, and other such things the name of his ancestors brings along. We were told he is about 31 now, and still single. If anyone wants to get married to the richest man of Scotland who lives in Africa, here’s your chance!
We learned that Perth used to be the capital of Scotland before Edinburgh, and Perth’s original name was Saint John’s Town, pretty nifty, huh?
I am not sure if this next story is entirely true, if it is I’m sure the English would have found out by now. Here goes, there is a rock called the Stone of Destiny, which is a meteorite that was found during the Holy Crusades (something along those lines) and was brought back to the country. Under the thrown of the king and queen and Scotland sat this stone until a king in England wanted it brought back to Westminster. Apparently, people in Scotland found out about that, took the stone to some island and replaced it with a piece of granite that covered the sewage. England took it back for themselves, until in the 1990’s when a university student in Scotland decided to break into Westminster and take the stone back. At which point, he broke it, had his father who was a stone mason put it back together, with a hollow rod, so this boy could write horrible things about England and put it in the rod. England did get it back and so now when Queen Elizabeth II was coronated and whoever is coronated next will be sitting on this piece of granite that used to cover sewage and how holds a note bashing England, how fantastic for them. I would like to read and see if that is actually true, about it being from sewage, a note being in it, and that the real Stone of Destiny is hiding away on some island in Scotland.
When we were almost of Edinburgh we crossed over a bridge, where right next to the bridge is another bridge called Forth Bridge, a bridge masterpiece I am sure some say.
We finally made it back to town. I made plans to meet up with a couple people on the trip, who are also staying the night in Edinburgh, so we planned to meet at 6:15 at Grass Market. I get to my hostel and settle in; in the same room and same bed as last Thursday night. Again, no one else in the room! Six rolls around and I head out. I thought I was going to be late so I was walking like a Londoner (fast walk). I wasn’t late at all. Of course, three other girls were waiting on the other side of the courtyard area from us. We finally all got together and we picked a place to eat. We headed up to the Castle Arms pub/restaurant. I ordered fish and chips (Scottish haddock) and then a sex on the beach (which is a drink). I must say that is fish was amazing! It was much better than the cod I had in London. I liked it so much it made me think about coming back again Monday before I head out. I don’t know if I will, but it was a thought. We sat and talked for some time, and I also talked to some random guy sitting a couple stools from me. He had some interesting stories to tell; about being drunk. His favorite places to holiday are America, particularly Baton Rouge, and Scotland, the northern part (not where he is living now). He was supposedly 18, though he looked in his 20’s, and he said he was kicked out of school at 16 because he beat up some English boy, and then came to Edinburgh to school and a year later got kicked out again. He has also been arrested twice in Baton Rouge, once for indecent exposure, he wore a kilt while drinking, he then lost his kilt. If he gets arrested one more time in America, he will be kicked out. And yet he still won’t stop drinking, he said he likes his rum. I also was sitting by this man, woman, cross dresser person who didn’t speak good English at all. No one could really understand her.
I made another little get together with two girls for Monday morning. We are meeting at 9 at Starbucks and probably walking around. There are also some free tours, and one is at 11 so I think I am going to do that. A couple girls on our trip did it and enjoyed it a lot. Of course, it’s free until you should tip at the end. It is around 3 hours long so that still will give me time to check out some shops around town. When I got back to the hostel, I picked up a map of Edinburgh and then walked the five flights of stairs to my room. I decided against taking the elevator again, but when I walked up them earlier in the evening my legs were starting to burn. Whoops. I finally finished the 4th book of Percy Jackson, so that gives me two things I can get out of my room in London. Now it will be time for bed. I have a feeling I will sleep good tonight, except for the light from the street, that isn’t going to help much. Night all. Cheers
We drove by Loch Ness, very beautiful. Loch Ness is about 20 plus miles long and at its widest is one mile wide. I can’t remember how deep it is, at the moment, but it is more than 200 metres deep, something like 230 something. The first 10/15 feet are salmon and trout, while below that are fish called ferox, cannibal fish. They come up to the surface at night to feed on the salmon and trout, so don’t go swimming, like one young man did one night. He went out swimming and when he was found he was bone. Apparently, they can become very big, about 18 feet is one of the biggest. Alan said that Loch Ness is a scientist’s paradise; there are so many things that have yet to be discovered in this loch. It used to be connected to the ocean, or some salt water, but after the last tectonic shift the land was closed up. Because of all the other bodies of water running into it, Loch Ness, over time, has become a fresh water loch. All the creatures/fish living in it have had to evolve to live in fresh water, even the little sponges. Alan said that one of his good friends is one of the people who is looking after the loch, in a way, and trying to find out more about it. He has a boat equipped with sonar things. Alan even had a picture on his phone of something they found. He said that there are giant creatures living under there, and of course since the water is so thick and dark, we are never able to discover it. Loch Ness is one of the most mysterious loch’s around.
Our first stop was to the Urquhart Castle, one of the biggest castles still around, well the ruins anyway. The visitor center wasn’t over yet so we couldn’t really go down, instead we stood along a wall, that has a sign saying ‘do not climb on wall’, to get better pictures. They are planting trees on the other side of the wall, so if you really want to see it, you will have to fork up 7 pounds or most likely more to see it. A bit ridiculous; Scotland likes their money. It was a beautiful view though, the sun was shining, and the castle is right by the loch which makes it much better.
Our next stop was about 10 minutes drive away and it was just a gift/coffee shop and there was a little statue of ‘Nessie’ out front and also a walk way down to the loch. I can’t really describe to you how it looked; besides it was, again, amazing! I even touched the water! Woo-Hoo! Then I took a rock. I saw no sign anywhere saying I could not take a rock. It was right by the loch and the water had touched it, take that. I have a little piece of Loch Ness coming home with me. I am quite pleased. I went back up to the shop and got a few things, which my family will see later on. I guess I can tell the rest of you what I got. I got a Scottish flag, I got the one that royals used back in the day, they didn’t have the other one (maybe in Edinburgh). I got a scarf, for clan Johnstone, which is not Johnson, but close enough! I got a necklace, a pill box (for all those pills I have lying around my drawers, only some of you know what I mean) and then a bracelet. I am hoping Edinburgh has some postcards and maybe the other Scottish flag. Since Germany, I wanted a flag of every country I visit(ed). Well, I still need a Germany flag, and I need an English flag, soon I’ll need a Welsh flag. That will be a lot of flags. In my future house I will have to have a room for all my stuff that I collect on my travels. Back to my day though…at the coffee shop I got a hot chocolate, worst 2.15 I’ve spent. Not good hot chocolate at all, quite disappointing.
Our next stop was Culloden Battlefields. Alan took us up to a little walkway which looks over the battlefield and he told us the story of what happened. Another battle over independence; Scotland still doesn’t have independence. It is a long story so if you want to hear it I can relay as much as I can remember back to you. I just don’t want to bore you at this moment with a long story about a battle. After Alan was done telling us the story we were set ‘free’ to go walk about the field and see the gravestones they have. The field was covered in snow; it reminded me of how much I hate walking on snow. After the battlefield we headed to a small town where we ate at a place called Tipsey’s Pub, I decided to eat another burger. That second burger made it official that Iowa beef is much better than Scottish beef. Sorry, Mark. Ah, and before going to the pub we drove through a town called Inverness. For the first time since the states I saw a house development area. It made me giggle to myself. Americans are the only crazy ones who want houses like their neighbors, Scottish people do too! While driving through town, Alan wanted us to look at all the munters that were walking about. Yep, a munter is an ugly people. Matt, maybe you can start using that word on people. Also learned that Queen Elizabeth II shouldn’t/isn’t the real queen; when Germany started the whole King/Queen thing over in the UK, or England, there was a rule that only true royal bloods could be a king or Queen. I believe that it was after King James II, something along those lines, that is when it was broken off, after he died. Apparently some guy by the surname Hastings is the true, rightful king, and he is living in some small town, small house off in Scotland; while the fake royal bloods are ruling away. That could be true.
Interesting fact of the day, ding ding ding, kangaroo means ‘over there’ in aborigine. All right, here are more facts, Robert Bruce is Scotland’s greatest hero and the actual ‘brave heart’. Dun means fortress and I believe keld means kilt (something like that).
Our next stop was to the small town of Dunkeld, hence my meanings up there. In the town is a cathedral that was built more than 1,000 years ago, and then another part of the church built almost 500 years ago. It is a beautiful cathedral; places just up from the river. It is a very peaceful area and I enjoyed it greatly.
After Dunkeld there were no more stops, but things were pointed out to us. In one small town, full of rich people, is a white castle, built by a very rich man, who died some years ago. There were no close living relatives except some nephew or other who lived in Johannesburg, South Africa. He was brought up to Scotland, where he lived only two seasons before giving the castle to the country and moving back to Africa, with a lot of money. He is still getting income from the castle which was turned into a museum, and other such things the name of his ancestors brings along. We were told he is about 31 now, and still single. If anyone wants to get married to the richest man of Scotland who lives in Africa, here’s your chance!
We learned that Perth used to be the capital of Scotland before Edinburgh, and Perth’s original name was Saint John’s Town, pretty nifty, huh?
I am not sure if this next story is entirely true, if it is I’m sure the English would have found out by now. Here goes, there is a rock called the Stone of Destiny, which is a meteorite that was found during the Holy Crusades (something along those lines) and was brought back to the country. Under the thrown of the king and queen and Scotland sat this stone until a king in England wanted it brought back to Westminster. Apparently, people in Scotland found out about that, took the stone to some island and replaced it with a piece of granite that covered the sewage. England took it back for themselves, until in the 1990’s when a university student in Scotland decided to break into Westminster and take the stone back. At which point, he broke it, had his father who was a stone mason put it back together, with a hollow rod, so this boy could write horrible things about England and put it in the rod. England did get it back and so now when Queen Elizabeth II was coronated and whoever is coronated next will be sitting on this piece of granite that used to cover sewage and how holds a note bashing England, how fantastic for them. I would like to read and see if that is actually true, about it being from sewage, a note being in it, and that the real Stone of Destiny is hiding away on some island in Scotland.
When we were almost of Edinburgh we crossed over a bridge, where right next to the bridge is another bridge called Forth Bridge, a bridge masterpiece I am sure some say.
We finally made it back to town. I made plans to meet up with a couple people on the trip, who are also staying the night in Edinburgh, so we planned to meet at 6:15 at Grass Market. I get to my hostel and settle in; in the same room and same bed as last Thursday night. Again, no one else in the room! Six rolls around and I head out. I thought I was going to be late so I was walking like a Londoner (fast walk). I wasn’t late at all. Of course, three other girls were waiting on the other side of the courtyard area from us. We finally all got together and we picked a place to eat. We headed up to the Castle Arms pub/restaurant. I ordered fish and chips (Scottish haddock) and then a sex on the beach (which is a drink). I must say that is fish was amazing! It was much better than the cod I had in London. I liked it so much it made me think about coming back again Monday before I head out. I don’t know if I will, but it was a thought. We sat and talked for some time, and I also talked to some random guy sitting a couple stools from me. He had some interesting stories to tell; about being drunk. His favorite places to holiday are America, particularly Baton Rouge, and Scotland, the northern part (not where he is living now). He was supposedly 18, though he looked in his 20’s, and he said he was kicked out of school at 16 because he beat up some English boy, and then came to Edinburgh to school and a year later got kicked out again. He has also been arrested twice in Baton Rouge, once for indecent exposure, he wore a kilt while drinking, he then lost his kilt. If he gets arrested one more time in America, he will be kicked out. And yet he still won’t stop drinking, he said he likes his rum. I also was sitting by this man, woman, cross dresser person who didn’t speak good English at all. No one could really understand her.
I made another little get together with two girls for Monday morning. We are meeting at 9 at Starbucks and probably walking around. There are also some free tours, and one is at 11 so I think I am going to do that. A couple girls on our trip did it and enjoyed it a lot. Of course, it’s free until you should tip at the end. It is around 3 hours long so that still will give me time to check out some shops around town. When I got back to the hostel, I picked up a map of Edinburgh and then walked the five flights of stairs to my room. I decided against taking the elevator again, but when I walked up them earlier in the evening my legs were starting to burn. Whoops. I finally finished the 4th book of Percy Jackson, so that gives me two things I can get out of my room in London. Now it will be time for bed. I have a feeling I will sleep good tonight, except for the light from the street, that isn’t going to help much. Night all. Cheers
Saturday, March 6, 2010
2 fish were swimming...
One fish swims into a brick wall.
The other fish says 'dam'.
Just one of the many jokes the wonderful Alan has told us.
We headed off around 8:30 for our long day of site seeing. Our first stop was over Glen Garry and Loch Garry. Which, Glen Garry reminds me of glen garry glen ross. I don't know why I think of that. Oh well, I have pictures for those later as well, and we passed by Glen Lyone as well. We drove by a cairn, which is a monument, a warrior from each side would set a rock in a pile, each person that lived would take a rock from the pile and throw it out. That way the leader would know how many were killed. The certain monument we drove by was set up for Willy McCree who was assassinated, most likely by Margaret Thatcher, because he found out information that she was going to let America dump nuclear waste in their loch's. That didn't go over so well when she found out. They made the excuse that he killed himself, shot himself twice in the head, opened the car door and threw the gun 50 feet/metres behind the car. We drove by Glen Cluanie, I can't remember at the time being if we stopped to take pictures, I'm going to say we did.
Next stop...Eilean Donan Castle. The castle that is used in James Bond, Entrapment, Made of Honor, and Highlander. You can have a wedding there too, for 1,000 pounds an hour. How 'bout it mom and dad? Kidding. It was beautiful. We stopped on the other side to get a different view of the castle and for a restroom stop, that is where I found myself a pound on the ground, pretty excited, though I kept the excitement to myself! We were then off to Loch Alsh, which we just drove through, before heading over Skye Bridge. Most of the residents of the Isle of Skye speak Gaelic and did not want a bridge being built, in fear of tourists coming and ruining their area. They used to have ferry's that took them across the river everyday. The bridge was to cost 8 million pounds, it ended up costing 33 million pounds, a private company funded it being built. They wanted to get some money back so in 1995 they started to charge people about 6 pound 50 to cross the bridge, one way. People who had livestock had to pay more. People eventually started complaining, so it was passed that people with livestock could cross free, which got other people popping a sheep in their backseat just to say they had livestock to get through free. Finally, in 2004 the toll was dropped.
Ah, new word. People who have friends with the name Kyle, it means shallow. An example, Kyle of Loch Alsh, narrow, shallow strip of water.
Back to my day. Isle of Skye is the 2nd largest Scotland island, don't ask me what the first one is, I don't know. The island has about 933 miles of coastline. Alan was telling us that a lot of the names around the area, back in the day, all ended with 'nish', which means 'close to water'. We stopped at a supermarket to pick up a lunch that we would be able to eat on the drive, since we had a lot to see! I grabbed a chicken ceasar pasta, the pasta was bad, but I ate the croutons, chicken and some lettuce. We drove by the oldest mountains on the Earth. Alan said that Skye is a geologists heaven. They've found dinosaur skeletons and footprints on the mountain, I think they are called the Black Mountains. Our next stop was to a river. Where across the river in a bar, a long time ago, a man bet (I think) another man to run across the bridge and up the Giant hill and back down. Now, every year in September they have a race from the bar and up the mountain and back down. The best time is 77 minutes. Crazy! At the river, legend has it that if you stick your face in it you become beautiful, or stay beautiful, and have eternal youth. I'm sad to say I did not stick my face in the river for 7 seconds. Also, it is believed that there are fairy people in Skye, they aren't the fairies you would think of, they are 'little' people.
We then got to Portree, which is the capital town of Skye, we stopped for a little break and restroom stop. I went and visited a little shop down the road from where we parked, I didn't buy anything, but they had some neat things. I think Alan is taking us to some shop on the way back, where he said things are a little cheaper, I'll probably stock up there on Scottish things.
We headed to the fairy falls, Alan challenged us to go up to the top of the falls, drink some water, keep it in our mouth then head to the bus touch it and then swallow. I didn't do that one either. Going up and down was very messy, since the snow recently melted so the ground was extremely soggy. When I was heading down my socks got a little wet.
Kilt Rock was next. It was off to the side of where we were, and where we were it was a drop off. There was a fence of course, so beautiful. We could see the Scotland cost across from where we were. Before we went to our last stop and Alan's special place, we went to the tiniest toilets. I got into line, but then decided I would wait, of course. I did see a cute dog though and got to pet it for a while.
Then...off we were up to Quiraing! It was beautiful! Parts of Stardust were filmed there. I could see why. the view from the top was the greatest thing ever. I have some great views in my lifetime. Pictures will be put up later, as I have told you tons of time before. When we left we headed down and back to Loch Ness for the night. We did a bathroom stop by the Eilean Donan Castle, which was a little over an hour to it and then back to the hostel. We took a little detour back and drove by Loch Ness, to get a sneak peak on what we would be doing Sunday. I took a nap on the way back down, after we were off the bumpy roads of course.
When we got back tot he hostel, a few girls and myself headed down to a local restaurant. We were going to get fish and chips, but dined in and got other things to eat. I got a cheese pizza and tried the countries famous soft drink, Irn Blu, it did taste like bubble gum. We came back, and I asked the lady at reception if the card machine was working yet, as I am staying in this place for free at the time being. It isn't fixed. I'll have to walk across town in the morning to get cash from the atm. I grabbed my computer and headed down the the lounge area, where the wireless is much better. Then at 8:30 in the bar area we had a little trivia game. I was on a team with Curt, who is Australian and a girl who's name starts with J, she's from Brazil, I can't remember her name. :s Soon it will be time for bed. I'm having a lovely time, and most of the people are pretty cool. There is one who is kind of annoying and has a laugh that annoys me. Weird, since I am the queen of all laughs! Tomorrow we will be visiting Loch Ness, as well as other things, while we head down the middle of Scotland back to Edinburgh, where I will spend my night and then spend the day in Edinburgh on Monday. Wednesday I leave for Iowa. So crazy! So soon. Time for bed! The loud music is starting to get to me and I have another long day ahead of me. Good night to all! Cheers.
The other fish says 'dam'.
Just one of the many jokes the wonderful Alan has told us.
We headed off around 8:30 for our long day of site seeing. Our first stop was over Glen Garry and Loch Garry. Which, Glen Garry reminds me of glen garry glen ross. I don't know why I think of that. Oh well, I have pictures for those later as well, and we passed by Glen Lyone as well. We drove by a cairn, which is a monument, a warrior from each side would set a rock in a pile, each person that lived would take a rock from the pile and throw it out. That way the leader would know how many were killed. The certain monument we drove by was set up for Willy McCree who was assassinated, most likely by Margaret Thatcher, because he found out information that she was going to let America dump nuclear waste in their loch's. That didn't go over so well when she found out. They made the excuse that he killed himself, shot himself twice in the head, opened the car door and threw the gun 50 feet/metres behind the car. We drove by Glen Cluanie, I can't remember at the time being if we stopped to take pictures, I'm going to say we did.
Next stop...Eilean Donan Castle. The castle that is used in James Bond, Entrapment, Made of Honor, and Highlander. You can have a wedding there too, for 1,000 pounds an hour. How 'bout it mom and dad? Kidding. It was beautiful. We stopped on the other side to get a different view of the castle and for a restroom stop, that is where I found myself a pound on the ground, pretty excited, though I kept the excitement to myself! We were then off to Loch Alsh, which we just drove through, before heading over Skye Bridge. Most of the residents of the Isle of Skye speak Gaelic and did not want a bridge being built, in fear of tourists coming and ruining their area. They used to have ferry's that took them across the river everyday. The bridge was to cost 8 million pounds, it ended up costing 33 million pounds, a private company funded it being built. They wanted to get some money back so in 1995 they started to charge people about 6 pound 50 to cross the bridge, one way. People who had livestock had to pay more. People eventually started complaining, so it was passed that people with livestock could cross free, which got other people popping a sheep in their backseat just to say they had livestock to get through free. Finally, in 2004 the toll was dropped.
Ah, new word. People who have friends with the name Kyle, it means shallow. An example, Kyle of Loch Alsh, narrow, shallow strip of water.
Back to my day. Isle of Skye is the 2nd largest Scotland island, don't ask me what the first one is, I don't know. The island has about 933 miles of coastline. Alan was telling us that a lot of the names around the area, back in the day, all ended with 'nish', which means 'close to water'. We stopped at a supermarket to pick up a lunch that we would be able to eat on the drive, since we had a lot to see! I grabbed a chicken ceasar pasta, the pasta was bad, but I ate the croutons, chicken and some lettuce. We drove by the oldest mountains on the Earth. Alan said that Skye is a geologists heaven. They've found dinosaur skeletons and footprints on the mountain, I think they are called the Black Mountains. Our next stop was to a river. Where across the river in a bar, a long time ago, a man bet (I think) another man to run across the bridge and up the Giant hill and back down. Now, every year in September they have a race from the bar and up the mountain and back down. The best time is 77 minutes. Crazy! At the river, legend has it that if you stick your face in it you become beautiful, or stay beautiful, and have eternal youth. I'm sad to say I did not stick my face in the river for 7 seconds. Also, it is believed that there are fairy people in Skye, they aren't the fairies you would think of, they are 'little' people.
We then got to Portree, which is the capital town of Skye, we stopped for a little break and restroom stop. I went and visited a little shop down the road from where we parked, I didn't buy anything, but they had some neat things. I think Alan is taking us to some shop on the way back, where he said things are a little cheaper, I'll probably stock up there on Scottish things.
We headed to the fairy falls, Alan challenged us to go up to the top of the falls, drink some water, keep it in our mouth then head to the bus touch it and then swallow. I didn't do that one either. Going up and down was very messy, since the snow recently melted so the ground was extremely soggy. When I was heading down my socks got a little wet.
Kilt Rock was next. It was off to the side of where we were, and where we were it was a drop off. There was a fence of course, so beautiful. We could see the Scotland cost across from where we were. Before we went to our last stop and Alan's special place, we went to the tiniest toilets. I got into line, but then decided I would wait, of course. I did see a cute dog though and got to pet it for a while.
Then...off we were up to Quiraing! It was beautiful! Parts of Stardust were filmed there. I could see why. the view from the top was the greatest thing ever. I have some great views in my lifetime. Pictures will be put up later, as I have told you tons of time before. When we left we headed down and back to Loch Ness for the night. We did a bathroom stop by the Eilean Donan Castle, which was a little over an hour to it and then back to the hostel. We took a little detour back and drove by Loch Ness, to get a sneak peak on what we would be doing Sunday. I took a nap on the way back down, after we were off the bumpy roads of course.
When we got back tot he hostel, a few girls and myself headed down to a local restaurant. We were going to get fish and chips, but dined in and got other things to eat. I got a cheese pizza and tried the countries famous soft drink, Irn Blu, it did taste like bubble gum. We came back, and I asked the lady at reception if the card machine was working yet, as I am staying in this place for free at the time being. It isn't fixed. I'll have to walk across town in the morning to get cash from the atm. I grabbed my computer and headed down the the lounge area, where the wireless is much better. Then at 8:30 in the bar area we had a little trivia game. I was on a team with Curt, who is Australian and a girl who's name starts with J, she's from Brazil, I can't remember her name. :s Soon it will be time for bed. I'm having a lovely time, and most of the people are pretty cool. There is one who is kind of annoying and has a laugh that annoys me. Weird, since I am the queen of all laughs! Tomorrow we will be visiting Loch Ness, as well as other things, while we head down the middle of Scotland back to Edinburgh, where I will spend my night and then spend the day in Edinburgh on Monday. Wednesday I leave for Iowa. So crazy! So soon. Time for bed! The loud music is starting to get to me and I have another long day ahead of me. Good night to all! Cheers.
Friday, March 5, 2010
William Wallace and Loch's
I don't even know where to begin. Today has been an exceptional day! Besides getting up early, of course. I enjoyed having a room to myself, except the bed they had me in was the one right opposite the window, the lights on the street showed through the outside of the curtain, so it was kind of bright. I liked not having people wake me up though or be too loud, especially people I did not know. I got up around 7:15 to get ready for the day. I headed down the stairs to breakfast, there was an elevator but I thought I would get my heart pumping before I was on a bus most of the day. Where my tour was meeting, the company is Haggis, was just up the hill. Ah, something I noticed about Edinburgh the night before, while I was walking up a giant hill to find my hostel, Edinburgh has hills. I guess I wasn't really sure what to expect in Scotland, I think I figured it was maybe flat like London, wrong, totally wrong. There are hills, a lot of hills. And mountains closer to the highlands and in the highlands, which I will get to later.
Any way, we got onto the bus, there are 19 of us, not a bad number. I'm glad we don't have 29 like the other bus, but of course they all know each other. I like my own seat, though. Our tour guides name is Alan, I don't know how he spells it. He is very hilarious and I like listening to him talk and joke. Through his jokes he doesn't like the English very much, I'm not sure how many Scots like the English very much, especially after all the English have done, starting fights and taking things, etc. In Scotland it doesn't rain, instead they have what they call "liquid sunshine". Also, I need to try haggis and Irn Blu; Irn Blu is the carbonated drink of choice up here, not Coca Cola (bleh). I asked what was in haggis today, it's all the insides of a sheep, mushed up together...fantastic.
We made our way out of Edinburgh and went first to the William Wallace Monument. Instead of being Mel Gibson size, he was actually over 6 foot tall, and died a much more gruesome death than in Braveheart. I'm not going to explain it though. We learned about Braveheart the movie, how most of it is false, and that only the first 20 minutes are actually filmed in Scotland, Fort William, Scotland to be exact. The rest of the movie was filmed in Ireland, due to Scotland wanting to charge too much on tax. With movies, you have to go where it's cheaper, even if it's not the right country. Another fact about Fort William, it is the most popular place to do outdoor sports in the world. We were then off and drove through Doune, that small town used to be the pistol making capital of the world, if you have a pistol from Doune, you are rich. Bigger news about Doune, though...Any Monty Python and the Holy Grail fans here?!?! The castle they used for a lot of the movie is the Doune Castle, I have pictures! (no camera cord at the moment though, so you'll see my pictures on Monday or Tuesday) I want to come back the last week of September to Doune, a ton of people come dressed in medieval clothes and clop around by the castle and the town, with coconuts! How much fun would that be?
The animal of choice in Scotland is the hairy coo (cow). There is a famous one in Scotland as well, his name is Hammish, again pictures later. Before we got there, our bus driver was telling us how all the girls would fall in love with this man named Hammish, he's big, with long red hair, well I think we all did fall in love. He's the cutest hairy coo I've ever seen! We took a short 20 minute break to see Hammish and also to grab some coffee or what not, I decided I would get a "real" hot chocolate from somewhere on my time abroad.
The meaning of clan in Scotland is family, well there were a lot of clans back in the day, McGreggor, MacDonald, Campbell (however you spell any of them). We first saw the heartland of the clan McGreggor, the trussics (?), some of these words, goodness! Next we did a little stop at Loch Lanbrieg, I think that is how you spell it (I just got a quick glance at a sign). Then off we were to eat lunch. We were still not in the highlands, but close, very close. We stopped at Green Welly for lunch, I got a beef burger, there was no ketchup and my tongue was burnt from my hot chocolate earlier, so it wasn't the best. From the burger, I think I still like Iowa beef much better. After supper...
Off we were to the highlands! Alan played us some bagpipe music while officially driving into the highlands, the song was Amazing Grace. Yep, I kind of felt like tearing up, or just being emotional. It was beautiful, well so far all of Scotland is beautiful!
I'm learning some new words and meanings to them while on this trip, as well as why Scotland is the best country ever. When we first got going Alan gave us a list of why Scotland is the best, well how they invented most of the things we use today, on a sadder note, they also produced the man who ended up crucifying Christ, something they are not proud of. They shouldn't be. As for words, clan = family; glen = valley; caledonia = wooded heights; loch = lake; DSL = Deep Scottish Love. I am sure there will be more to come.
On our way through the highlands Alan told us the story of the Campbell clan. If clans were not in conflict with one another and one came to another's house, they had to be nice and let them in, as well as feed them and such. Well the Campbell clan went to the MacDonald clans area, Glencoe, there were about 12 Campbell people. They stayed there and were fed and housed for 12 days and 12 nights, well at about 2 in the morning the head Campbell told the rest of them what to do, so most of the MacDonald clan was murdered while sleeping, some got away but they ran to the mountain where they ended up freezing to death. People in Glencoe don't like Campbell's, I don't blame them. Alan told us of a man from New Zealand who fell in love with Glencoe and went to a hostel to stay, the hostel owner found out his last name and told him to leave. There was a sign at the top of the door that said No Campbell's, as well as No English and a couple other things. English are allowed now, but no Campbell's. Glencoe means weeping family, when the snow and ice are melting off the mountains it looks as though they are weeping for the clan that was killed. There is more to why the Campbell's hated the MacDonald's, but I'm not going to get into it now.
Next stop, well not stop, but driving through the Great Glen, which are the four main loch's in the country. The first is Loch Linney (that may be how you spell it), then Loch Lochey. The other two we haven't really come to yet, but I think one will be Loch Ness, and the other perhaps Loch Moore. I may correct myself later on that one. We passed through Fort William, which I told you about and finally arrived in Fort Augustus, where we will be staying for two nights. We got to our hostel and were going to check in quick, which didn't really work out. I still have to pay tomorrow because the card machine was broken. We put our things in our room, I'm in room Loch Ness (after the movie, which I didn't know there was a movie) and we headed down the road to one of Alan's friends little shop, and he does some shows. We went and listened to him talk about Scotland and also how they used to dress. He was wearing a traditional "kilt", that's not what they used to call them. He then demonstrated to us how they were folded and had a guy put one on. He then demonstrated the woman's outfit as well, on a girl of course. He showed us some weapons they used as well, real weapons, with dry blood and everything. He also told us how they lived, in a 7 metre by 5 metre room/house. With dirt floors and a doorway with no door. At night they shared the room with all their animals too. Long story on how they lived, I'll save you some trouble and not tell you, until later.
For supper, I ate at the hostel with some other people from our group, we had beef curry, it was pretty good. I didn't eat all of it though. At 8:30 they were having a whiskey tasting, for 10 pounds (they lowered the price for us, as a special deal). I was thinking about doing it, but then decided against it. There were 6 whiskey's that we could try, I didn't want to feel horrible tomorrow morning so I stayed in my room, and this is what I ended up doing. I'm glad the internet is free, though in my room it's not very good service, I didn't want to go to the lounge area though. I think I may get ready for bed and then 'hop' into it and read for a bit, so close to being done with Percy Jackson, and I didn't want to read on the ride up because everything is so beautiful.
Quick thing, we stopped at the Black Mountain Estate that Ian Flemming used to own. After he died his clan sold it, and they were worried some rich Englishman would buy it and do something horrible with it, but Sean Connery bought it instead. Awesome, it was magnificent!
Off I go though, more will come tomorrow! And pictures in a few days. I still have a ton of traveling and site seeing to do! Cheers
Any way, we got onto the bus, there are 19 of us, not a bad number. I'm glad we don't have 29 like the other bus, but of course they all know each other. I like my own seat, though. Our tour guides name is Alan, I don't know how he spells it. He is very hilarious and I like listening to him talk and joke. Through his jokes he doesn't like the English very much, I'm not sure how many Scots like the English very much, especially after all the English have done, starting fights and taking things, etc. In Scotland it doesn't rain, instead they have what they call "liquid sunshine". Also, I need to try haggis and Irn Blu; Irn Blu is the carbonated drink of choice up here, not Coca Cola (bleh). I asked what was in haggis today, it's all the insides of a sheep, mushed up together...fantastic.
We made our way out of Edinburgh and went first to the William Wallace Monument. Instead of being Mel Gibson size, he was actually over 6 foot tall, and died a much more gruesome death than in Braveheart. I'm not going to explain it though. We learned about Braveheart the movie, how most of it is false, and that only the first 20 minutes are actually filmed in Scotland, Fort William, Scotland to be exact. The rest of the movie was filmed in Ireland, due to Scotland wanting to charge too much on tax. With movies, you have to go where it's cheaper, even if it's not the right country. Another fact about Fort William, it is the most popular place to do outdoor sports in the world. We were then off and drove through Doune, that small town used to be the pistol making capital of the world, if you have a pistol from Doune, you are rich. Bigger news about Doune, though...Any Monty Python and the Holy Grail fans here?!?! The castle they used for a lot of the movie is the Doune Castle, I have pictures! (no camera cord at the moment though, so you'll see my pictures on Monday or Tuesday) I want to come back the last week of September to Doune, a ton of people come dressed in medieval clothes and clop around by the castle and the town, with coconuts! How much fun would that be?
The animal of choice in Scotland is the hairy coo (cow). There is a famous one in Scotland as well, his name is Hammish, again pictures later. Before we got there, our bus driver was telling us how all the girls would fall in love with this man named Hammish, he's big, with long red hair, well I think we all did fall in love. He's the cutest hairy coo I've ever seen! We took a short 20 minute break to see Hammish and also to grab some coffee or what not, I decided I would get a "real" hot chocolate from somewhere on my time abroad.
The meaning of clan in Scotland is family, well there were a lot of clans back in the day, McGreggor, MacDonald, Campbell (however you spell any of them). We first saw the heartland of the clan McGreggor, the trussics (?), some of these words, goodness! Next we did a little stop at Loch Lanbrieg, I think that is how you spell it (I just got a quick glance at a sign). Then off we were to eat lunch. We were still not in the highlands, but close, very close. We stopped at Green Welly for lunch, I got a beef burger, there was no ketchup and my tongue was burnt from my hot chocolate earlier, so it wasn't the best. From the burger, I think I still like Iowa beef much better. After supper...
Off we were to the highlands! Alan played us some bagpipe music while officially driving into the highlands, the song was Amazing Grace. Yep, I kind of felt like tearing up, or just being emotional. It was beautiful, well so far all of Scotland is beautiful!
I'm learning some new words and meanings to them while on this trip, as well as why Scotland is the best country ever. When we first got going Alan gave us a list of why Scotland is the best, well how they invented most of the things we use today, on a sadder note, they also produced the man who ended up crucifying Christ, something they are not proud of. They shouldn't be. As for words, clan = family; glen = valley; caledonia = wooded heights; loch = lake; DSL = Deep Scottish Love. I am sure there will be more to come.
On our way through the highlands Alan told us the story of the Campbell clan. If clans were not in conflict with one another and one came to another's house, they had to be nice and let them in, as well as feed them and such. Well the Campbell clan went to the MacDonald clans area, Glencoe, there were about 12 Campbell people. They stayed there and were fed and housed for 12 days and 12 nights, well at about 2 in the morning the head Campbell told the rest of them what to do, so most of the MacDonald clan was murdered while sleeping, some got away but they ran to the mountain where they ended up freezing to death. People in Glencoe don't like Campbell's, I don't blame them. Alan told us of a man from New Zealand who fell in love with Glencoe and went to a hostel to stay, the hostel owner found out his last name and told him to leave. There was a sign at the top of the door that said No Campbell's, as well as No English and a couple other things. English are allowed now, but no Campbell's. Glencoe means weeping family, when the snow and ice are melting off the mountains it looks as though they are weeping for the clan that was killed. There is more to why the Campbell's hated the MacDonald's, but I'm not going to get into it now.
Next stop, well not stop, but driving through the Great Glen, which are the four main loch's in the country. The first is Loch Linney (that may be how you spell it), then Loch Lochey. The other two we haven't really come to yet, but I think one will be Loch Ness, and the other perhaps Loch Moore. I may correct myself later on that one. We passed through Fort William, which I told you about and finally arrived in Fort Augustus, where we will be staying for two nights. We got to our hostel and were going to check in quick, which didn't really work out. I still have to pay tomorrow because the card machine was broken. We put our things in our room, I'm in room Loch Ness (after the movie, which I didn't know there was a movie) and we headed down the road to one of Alan's friends little shop, and he does some shows. We went and listened to him talk about Scotland and also how they used to dress. He was wearing a traditional "kilt", that's not what they used to call them. He then demonstrated to us how they were folded and had a guy put one on. He then demonstrated the woman's outfit as well, on a girl of course. He showed us some weapons they used as well, real weapons, with dry blood and everything. He also told us how they lived, in a 7 metre by 5 metre room/house. With dirt floors and a doorway with no door. At night they shared the room with all their animals too. Long story on how they lived, I'll save you some trouble and not tell you, until later.
For supper, I ate at the hostel with some other people from our group, we had beef curry, it was pretty good. I didn't eat all of it though. At 8:30 they were having a whiskey tasting, for 10 pounds (they lowered the price for us, as a special deal). I was thinking about doing it, but then decided against it. There were 6 whiskey's that we could try, I didn't want to feel horrible tomorrow morning so I stayed in my room, and this is what I ended up doing. I'm glad the internet is free, though in my room it's not very good service, I didn't want to go to the lounge area though. I think I may get ready for bed and then 'hop' into it and read for a bit, so close to being done with Percy Jackson, and I didn't want to read on the ride up because everything is so beautiful.
Quick thing, we stopped at the Black Mountain Estate that Ian Flemming used to own. After he died his clan sold it, and they were worried some rich Englishman would buy it and do something horrible with it, but Sean Connery bought it instead. Awesome, it was magnificent!
Off I go though, more will come tomorrow! And pictures in a few days. I still have a ton of traveling and site seeing to do! Cheers
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Class, packing, 5 hour train ride...Edinburgh :)
The day started with me getting up early to shower, which I surprisingly did. BES wasn't bad today, really interesting actually. Some students had to interview other peers (from the UK) on themselves, whether they consider themselves British, and so on and so forth. Next was contemporary Britain where we talked about re-branding Britshness. Which is what I talked about later during the seminar. During the hour I have off I sped walked/took the tube over to Holloway Road so I could turn a piece of paper into the international office. As I was walking back to class I passed some people from the first seminar classes, knowing I was going to be a little late. All was well though, I made it after rushing around for an hour (I'm a walking machine now!) and then catching my breath for about a minute. I gave my little speech, or more pointers and then we had out discussion. After class I waited for the professor to let her know I wasn't going to be in class next week, it was taking too long so I hurried back to the tube station and back to St. James Station. From there I went to Strutton Ground, got myself some grapes and apples for my journey. Off to VH it was to finish packing and talk with Joe for a bit.
Once back, like I just said, I did start to pack. I turned on my computer to get onto skype, then went and made myself two ham sandwiches, and then one roll with the rest of my butter, which was not a lot of butter. I packed some chips and then the rest of my kit kats and snickers too. I did decide to bring my computer, which I am not on now, just so I could update my blogs, well not technically, just write them up and later I can copy and paste.
At 2:45pm off I was to Kings Cross. I found my train just fine. I sat and ate one of my ham sandwiches for lunch and a bag of chips. The train ride was 5 hours, which after being here doesn't seem that long. I read the fourth Percy Jackson book, and got over half way through it. I did semi-meet some guys. They were drinking Stellas and having a good time on their way to Edinburgh. I just 'met' them because one asked me to take a picture of them. After I took the picture the same one that asked to take a picture of them asked me if I would like to get a picture with him. I didn't really know what to say so I said sure. Some guy in Scotland has a picture of me on his camera. Awesome. They were nice though.
After getting off the train in Edinburgh I finally made my way to the hostel, well I found it that is. Not as hard as it seemed at first, of course I didn't know where I was going. I checked into my room. I have a six bed room to myself so far, hopefully it stays that way. I ate my other sandwich and then bought some internet time. Now I am updating my blog for all of you to read! I am heading up to Loch Ness tomorrow! I don't know if I'll buy any internet minutes while I'm up there, but maybe when I get back to the same hostel Sunday night, before my half day in Edinburgh! I'm so excited to see the rest of this city. I will let you all go for now though. Sorry if there are any misspellings in this blog, or weird added in punctuation marks. The keyboards are a little different here. Talk to you all soon. Cheers
Once back, like I just said, I did start to pack. I turned on my computer to get onto skype, then went and made myself two ham sandwiches, and then one roll with the rest of my butter, which was not a lot of butter. I packed some chips and then the rest of my kit kats and snickers too. I did decide to bring my computer, which I am not on now, just so I could update my blogs, well not technically, just write them up and later I can copy and paste.
At 2:45pm off I was to Kings Cross. I found my train just fine. I sat and ate one of my ham sandwiches for lunch and a bag of chips. The train ride was 5 hours, which after being here doesn't seem that long. I read the fourth Percy Jackson book, and got over half way through it. I did semi-meet some guys. They were drinking Stellas and having a good time on their way to Edinburgh. I just 'met' them because one asked me to take a picture of them. After I took the picture the same one that asked to take a picture of them asked me if I would like to get a picture with him. I didn't really know what to say so I said sure. Some guy in Scotland has a picture of me on his camera. Awesome. They were nice though.
After getting off the train in Edinburgh I finally made my way to the hostel, well I found it that is. Not as hard as it seemed at first, of course I didn't know where I was going. I checked into my room. I have a six bed room to myself so far, hopefully it stays that way. I ate my other sandwich and then bought some internet time. Now I am updating my blog for all of you to read! I am heading up to Loch Ness tomorrow! I don't know if I'll buy any internet minutes while I'm up there, but maybe when I get back to the same hostel Sunday night, before my half day in Edinburgh! I'm so excited to see the rest of this city. I will let you all go for now though. Sorry if there are any misspellings in this blog, or weird added in punctuation marks. The keyboards are a little different here. Talk to you all soon. Cheers
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
We all know how these go
Yes, another Wednesday. I'll try not to bore you too much with the details, since they're mostly like last Wednesday's.
In fictions of the U.S.A. we talked about Man in the Dark, a much better book than the last, which I have mentioned. That class usually goes by pretty fast, which I do enjoy. When I finally arrived back at VH I turned the oven on so I could put my frozen pizza in it. I then headed up to my room and rearranged my notebooks and folders for my next two classes. I made myself my supper, ham sandwich, chips, and a fun size kit kat. I ate about five pieces of my pizza, and I had to eat fast. Around 1:30 or so, because I was a little late, Carissa and I headed out to the National Portrait Gallery, we walked again. Today was not such a nice day. More chilly and windy.
For art I had to talk about Catherine Parr a little bit, not too bad, but being the first one of the day is never good. The teacher doesn't really tell you what you should say, she just gives you a paper to fill out on your free time and talk from that. It went all right. We looked at some portraits from the Tudor period and then meandered through other parts of the gallery. We got done at 4pm today, always a pleasure. If we start getting out so early I might not always have to bring my supper with me, I could just head back to VH. Of course if I do that I won't get anything done excepting eating.
I, again, made my way to LMU, sat in the dining area and ate my supper. Instead of updating my art journal I read some more in a different article for my presentation. I don't exactly know what this teacher is expecting either, mostly I just have some points written down, nothing really in true sentence form. I then headed to class about an hour early just to work more in there.
Tonight for Victorian London we talked about poverty during the time. Quite sad to think of the poverty, no one really knew what was going on either. Usually if something isn't happening in your area, you don't know that is is happening. That was the way with the middle and upper classes in London at the time. They didn't know the East End was as bad as it was (I'm sure some knew), but just so horrible to hear about it.
I finally made it back to VH a little after 8:30, such a long journey home. I started packing things for my trip to Scotland this weekend. Which I am very excited about and also nervous. I'm sure it will be just fine by the time I get with the group on Friday morning, the group of people I don't know of course. Hopefully I get along with some, otherwise I'll be by myself again, oh well. It's not all that bad. I hope everyone has a great weekend. I might write something short before I head out, but we'll see how much time I have, I always seem to run late. If not you will probably get an update from me Monday night or this weekend if I decide to buy some internet time. Cheers to you all. Or...Cheerio
In fictions of the U.S.A. we talked about Man in the Dark, a much better book than the last, which I have mentioned. That class usually goes by pretty fast, which I do enjoy. When I finally arrived back at VH I turned the oven on so I could put my frozen pizza in it. I then headed up to my room and rearranged my notebooks and folders for my next two classes. I made myself my supper, ham sandwich, chips, and a fun size kit kat. I ate about five pieces of my pizza, and I had to eat fast. Around 1:30 or so, because I was a little late, Carissa and I headed out to the National Portrait Gallery, we walked again. Today was not such a nice day. More chilly and windy.
For art I had to talk about Catherine Parr a little bit, not too bad, but being the first one of the day is never good. The teacher doesn't really tell you what you should say, she just gives you a paper to fill out on your free time and talk from that. It went all right. We looked at some portraits from the Tudor period and then meandered through other parts of the gallery. We got done at 4pm today, always a pleasure. If we start getting out so early I might not always have to bring my supper with me, I could just head back to VH. Of course if I do that I won't get anything done excepting eating.
I, again, made my way to LMU, sat in the dining area and ate my supper. Instead of updating my art journal I read some more in a different article for my presentation. I don't exactly know what this teacher is expecting either, mostly I just have some points written down, nothing really in true sentence form. I then headed to class about an hour early just to work more in there.
Tonight for Victorian London we talked about poverty during the time. Quite sad to think of the poverty, no one really knew what was going on either. Usually if something isn't happening in your area, you don't know that is is happening. That was the way with the middle and upper classes in London at the time. They didn't know the East End was as bad as it was (I'm sure some knew), but just so horrible to hear about it.
I finally made it back to VH a little after 8:30, such a long journey home. I started packing things for my trip to Scotland this weekend. Which I am very excited about and also nervous. I'm sure it will be just fine by the time I get with the group on Friday morning, the group of people I don't know of course. Hopefully I get along with some, otherwise I'll be by myself again, oh well. It's not all that bad. I hope everyone has a great weekend. I might write something short before I head out, but we'll see how much time I have, I always seem to run late. If not you will probably get an update from me Monday night or this weekend if I decide to buy some internet time. Cheers to you all. Or...Cheerio
Another beautiful day in another beautiful city
Tuesday was a day I thought I was going to stay in and do homework. After asking Beth if we had to have our Holborn assignment done by the time we turned in our journals, she said that we should. I remembered that I had to get my train tickets for Scotland from Kings Cross still, so that is where I headed first. After I got my train tickets I headed to Holborn. Since it was such a nice day I didn't mind that I got lost, not that lost, but I did find my way after looking at the papers we were given. The first stop was Sir John Soane's Museum, all I have to say is brilliant! All right, not all I have to say, but his collection his magnificent. There was one little nook that had a little memorial to Shakespeare, kind of cool. The house from the outside doesn't seem that big, but once you go into the house and into all the different rooms it looks much bigger. There are so many different rooms, one is the crypt. It is Soane's room full of roman burial chambers in catacombs, it even has its own sarcophagus. There was an exhibition on Mrs. Delaney, that was one to remember. During her lifetime she cut out paper to make flowers. That doesn't sound that interesting, but look her up, you will be amazed. She also embroidered flowers as well, it was fantastic. After the museum I went and saw the little sign in the park that is right in front of the building that housed the Canadians during the second World War. Then off to the Lincolnsfield Inn Chapel.
Chapel
Flowers are blooming!
After walking a bit on the grounds I headed out to see the Royal Courts of Justice - the High Court building.
High Court building, only part of it
Next on our assignment was to look for the Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese Pub, I didn't exactly know what direction to go so I turned right onto Fleet Street, yes, the same street Sweeney Todd lived on. I kept walking and still hadn't run into it, even though I just wanted to get to the Temples. I kept walking down Fleet Street knowing I had not turned the right direction but I decided I would just come back, I still had a lot to do. I ended up walking back to VH from where I was. It was sunny and slightly warmer than usual outside, and I wanted to take advantage of it. When I got back to VH I started my laundry, took a shower, so I could then wash my towels and finished some more laundry. I started working on my presentation on rebranding Britain, it will be interesting to say the least. The internet at VH has been acting up the past couple days, so it decided to be done for a while. I decided to make my leftovers, meat and noodles, and come back just to see what was up. When I was done eating it still wasn't done so I read some articles to help me out with the presentation. Around 8pm or so I was feeling a little tired from reading, so I decided I would put my papers down and cuddle up with my new stuffed dog, George. We had a nice little nap for a while. I was just estimating on that time. I woke up a little before 9, I thought then I should probably wake up and go get something to eat. I made myself a roll with the rest of my peanut butter, the rest of the bread was moldy so I threw it away :( and I made some hot chocolate. The hot chocolate is nothing like home, of course I did by the very cheap instant hot chocolate mix. That's what I get for being cheap. After getting my yummy night time snacks I headed back to my room to read some more, this time to not fall asleep in the process.
I succeeded in not falling asleep and taking more notes for my presentation. Also, the internet decided to be nice and worked until I headed to bed. Is it bad that it's about the 3rd/4th week of class and I'm already dreading waking up for them all? Oh well, they're really not that bad, but it's not entirely fun having a lot to do in one day. Night time it was for me. Sleeping for my long day. Cheers
I may have to find a new ending word. I've looked at other peoples blogs and they also end in "Cheers" at times. Maybe I could move onto "Cheerio"?
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
What a beautiful day in the neighborhood
Ah, Monday, a great day to...run? That is exactly what I did this morning. I ran, not that far, though. I walked to St. James Park, where I started to run. I am going to say that I ran maybe one lap, I stopped and went around the corner of the lake and jogged a little bit more, that didn't last long either. I ended up walking the rest of the way back. Running wore me out, also the fact I haven't run in a very, very, very long time. I was outside for about a total of 25 minutes, since it was early in the morning it was a bit chilly. I only have leather gloves with me and I didn't want to run in those, so my hands got cold. I got back and didn't feel like eating a whole lot so I drank some water and made one piece of toast.
I went back to my room, showered and got ready for my day. I went to a new grocery story today. I heard that Iceland was cheaper than Sainsburys. I headed out, I needed to top up my oyster card. I tried to top it up for 50 pounds, the machines decided against taking either my credit or debit card. I still had 5 pounds from the time I topped it up for the game, so I was on my way. The location of the grocery store seemed like an interesting part of the city. It was on a street called Lower Marsh, I think I may have to go back and do some exploring later. I got my groceries, I think some were better deals and then I headed back. For lunch I made myself a ham sandwich, chips and an apple juice juicebox. I came back up to my room, to find an email from our art professor finally giving us our assignments for the people who will speak on Wednesday. I am one of those people. So, after relaxing and eating my delicious lunch I headed out to the National Portrait Gallery. I decided to walk since it was such a lovely day outside. The sun was shining!
The painting I will be talking about is Catherine Parr, Henry VIII sixth and last wife. She was forced to marry him, but she still took great care of his children from the previous marriages. I wrote all I could from looking at her, plus my back was starting to hurt, so I went to a different part of the museum I hadn't been to before. I saw some paintings of Queen Victoria done during the Victorian era. I saw a picture of Diana and Prince Charles as well, another area I hadn't been to before. I then headed out to walk back. I decided to walk down a different street and around, and I came upon a store called "next", I decided to go in and found three pairs of tights for six pounds so I made an investment. Pretty cheap, as some places have one pair for 8 pounds, or two pairs for 8 pounds. I then headed back. I stopped off at St. James Station to go to the assistant ticket booth, there I got 50 pounds put on my oyster card. I decided that if the fruit stands were still up in Strutton Ground I would buy some, they weren't.
For the rest of the night, our internet was down for most of it, I was productive and finished Man in the Dark, it has a good ending, then I read some in the art book, and even read one of the short stories for next week, since I won't be here. The short story was horrible. The dialogue is literally all over the place, I won't explain further. Finally the internet got back up to working, thankfully after I was done with some of my homework and I talked to people online for a bit. Finally it was time for bed, and what a great nights sleep that was! Cheers
...I leave so soon :o) It is coming very fast. I'm also a little nervous for Scotland, traveling there by myself, I know it will be fine because for three days I will be with people. Hopefully it all works out. I did find a day trip to the Rosslyn Chapel, it is 7 hours though and I leave at 4 on Monday, that's sad, I really wanted to go too. Maybe the next time I am in Scotland!
I went back to my room, showered and got ready for my day. I went to a new grocery story today. I heard that Iceland was cheaper than Sainsburys. I headed out, I needed to top up my oyster card. I tried to top it up for 50 pounds, the machines decided against taking either my credit or debit card. I still had 5 pounds from the time I topped it up for the game, so I was on my way. The location of the grocery store seemed like an interesting part of the city. It was on a street called Lower Marsh, I think I may have to go back and do some exploring later. I got my groceries, I think some were better deals and then I headed back. For lunch I made myself a ham sandwich, chips and an apple juice juicebox. I came back up to my room, to find an email from our art professor finally giving us our assignments for the people who will speak on Wednesday. I am one of those people. So, after relaxing and eating my delicious lunch I headed out to the National Portrait Gallery. I decided to walk since it was such a lovely day outside. The sun was shining!
The painting I will be talking about is Catherine Parr, Henry VIII sixth and last wife. She was forced to marry him, but she still took great care of his children from the previous marriages. I wrote all I could from looking at her, plus my back was starting to hurt, so I went to a different part of the museum I hadn't been to before. I saw some paintings of Queen Victoria done during the Victorian era. I saw a picture of Diana and Prince Charles as well, another area I hadn't been to before. I then headed out to walk back. I decided to walk down a different street and around, and I came upon a store called "next", I decided to go in and found three pairs of tights for six pounds so I made an investment. Pretty cheap, as some places have one pair for 8 pounds, or two pairs for 8 pounds. I then headed back. I stopped off at St. James Station to go to the assistant ticket booth, there I got 50 pounds put on my oyster card. I decided that if the fruit stands were still up in Strutton Ground I would buy some, they weren't.
For the rest of the night, our internet was down for most of it, I was productive and finished Man in the Dark, it has a good ending, then I read some in the art book, and even read one of the short stories for next week, since I won't be here. The short story was horrible. The dialogue is literally all over the place, I won't explain further. Finally the internet got back up to working, thankfully after I was done with some of my homework and I talked to people online for a bit. Finally it was time for bed, and what a great nights sleep that was! Cheers
...I leave so soon :o) It is coming very fast. I'm also a little nervous for Scotland, traveling there by myself, I know it will be fine because for three days I will be with people. Hopefully it all works out. I did find a day trip to the Rosslyn Chapel, it is 7 hours though and I leave at 4 on Monday, that's sad, I really wanted to go too. Maybe the next time I am in Scotland!
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