Today is the last day of our trip. Our flight leaves early tomorrow morning. We are really sad to leave but in some ways can't wait to get back to the States.
This morning we got up a little early and walked down New Town for a little while. We climbed to the top of the "Gothic Rocket" which is the largest memorial made to any one writer in the world.
I think tonight we will try to find Sandy Bell's and hope there is some live Celtic music. It has been surprisingly difficult to Celtic music in pubs. Mostly it's folk or very odd techno..
Well, this is our final post of the blog. Once we get home I am wanting to go back and add photos in where they should have been. We love and miss everyone very very much. After getting home late tomorrow...we'll have a serious crash course of sleep followed by visits...we promise!
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
HAGGIS ADVENTURES....THERE ARE NO WORDS...
actually, there are. amazing. sexy. wild. stunning.scotland. our tour guides rocked -Matthew, a 30 something English man- totally sweet and hilarious. doug- drunken mid 20's scotsman- helpful and sweet. debs- 20 something hardcore scots woman/hiker but still kicked ass. the tour itself was literally so beautiful that words become absolutely meaningless at this point, for us. go see it. thats the only way to fully comprend the awe-inspiring, tear jerking, majestic, and ancient beauty of the scottish highlands. everyone knows i've always wanted to go to scotland...and it was everything i've ever imagined or wanted and so much more. i truly feel as though a peice of my heart and soul will always remain here... as corny as it sounds, its so true. the people of this country truly love their homeland and it shines brightly through. tomorrow is the long awaited hike up the side of a dorment volcano...the highest point in edinburgh, called arthur's seat. and then we'll SADLY be kissing the beautiful country good bye friday morning. we are looking forward to seeing everyone and being at rest finally....travel is so much fun but really exhausting. more details on the tour later!
p.s.
if you ever go to scotland and don't take a haggis adventures tour- you will be missing a huge experience of the highest calibur.
p.s.
if you ever go to scotland and don't take a haggis adventures tour- you will be missing a huge experience of the highest calibur.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Rossyln Chapel
...Was amazing. It was gorgeous on the inside as well as on the out. Unfortunately we were not allowed to take pictures of the inside but we did grab tons of postcards with pics on them.
The Chapel was undergoing some restoration and there were stairs wrapping around the second floor which gave amazing view points. The scenery was great, a lot like the Appalachian mountains. Below the chapel was a graveyard with footpaths that led to an old castle and a small river. We spent a couple hours just walking around taking pictures. We have about 430 pictures so far and once the digital camera's batteries die we are switching to some disposables.
We made it back into town about ten minutes before the National Scottish Gallery was closing. We had just enough time to run through and take a look at a few original Raphaels and Titians.
Tomorrow morning is not only Janice's 20th birthday but the beginning of our two & a half day tour through the Scotland Highlands. So we will not be able to update the blog until we get back from the tour. We miss everyone so much! We are actually feeling pretty homesick as well. Love you guys, See you in a few days.
The Chapel was undergoing some restoration and there were stairs wrapping around the second floor which gave amazing view points. The scenery was great, a lot like the Appalachian mountains. Below the chapel was a graveyard with footpaths that led to an old castle and a small river. We spent a couple hours just walking around taking pictures. We have about 430 pictures so far and once the digital camera's batteries die we are switching to some disposables.
We made it back into town about ten minutes before the National Scottish Gallery was closing. We had just enough time to run through and take a look at a few original Raphaels and Titians.
Tomorrow morning is not only Janice's 20th birthday but the beginning of our two & a half day tour through the Scotland Highlands. So we will not be able to update the blog until we get back from the tour. We miss everyone so much! We are actually feeling pretty homesick as well. Love you guys, See you in a few days.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
The Edinburgh Zoo
Today we managed to figure out the bus schedule, all on our own! So we hopped on number 26 and went to the Zoo. Janice talks like she has been to tons of Zoos but it was my first time at one.
We had the chance to see hundreds of different types of monkeys, lions, tigers, leopards, camels, a couple of rhinos, and a few birds. And at the very end of it all there was a Penguin Parade. They just open the gates to the penguin exibit and see how many come out. 11 King Penguins and a hand full of the smaller ones came out and then proceeded to walk around the park. They would actually come right up to people and check you out.
After the Zoo we walked around Princes Street. Tonight I think we will hit up another Chips shop after going to the Frankenstein Pub.
We love and miss you all!
We especially miss Steak... American Pepsi products (they have NO mountain dew).. and weebee cat.
We had the chance to see hundreds of different types of monkeys, lions, tigers, leopards, camels, a couple of rhinos, and a few birds. And at the very end of it all there was a Penguin Parade. They just open the gates to the penguin exibit and see how many come out. 11 King Penguins and a hand full of the smaller ones came out and then proceeded to walk around the park. They would actually come right up to people and check you out.
After the Zoo we walked around Princes Street. Tonight I think we will hit up another Chips shop after going to the Frankenstein Pub.
We love and miss you all!
We especially miss Steak... American Pepsi products (they have NO mountain dew).. and weebee cat.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Finally Starting to Relax...
Well today we have sorted a couple things out finally.
We found a bus station on Princes Street, the busiest street in Edinburgh. So we maybe have our bus schedule worked out for tomorrow's trip to the Zoo & Rosslyn Chapel.
Rosslyn Chapel is the church that many beleive that the Holy Grail is buried. i.e. The Da Vinci Code.
Also we finally have a cell phone working with minutes that aren't costing 5 dollars each. We have only a few, 50 exactly, but it will do for now and it only cost 2 pounds for 50 more. That is a big relief for me.
I am writing this blog update from none other than the Elephant House. It is the pub where J.K. Rowling sat down and began writing Harry Potter.
Last night we went on another underground tour, only this time it was the Mary Queen's Close tour. Very interesting, only no where near as cool as the other tour. Too many people and the guide seemed to hate being there.
This morning we hiked all the way up to the ruins where we saw a spectacular view of old town and new town. Aurthor's Seat was amazing from this view point, it seems to loom over the entire city.
PART TWO: WHAT NO ONE TELLS AMERICAN TOURISTS TRAVELING TO EUROPE
BY JANICE LEADINGHAM
1.ALL COKE/PEPSI/ANY SODA PRODUCTS REALLY, ARE SERVED WITH SLICES OF LEMON. ALSO ALL OF THE SODAS TASTE DIFFERENTLY.
2.FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON WHEN SCOTS ARE GIVING DIRECTIONS THEY WILL INADVERTEDLY POINT IN THE OTHER DIRECTION THEN WHAT THEY ARE SAYING.
3. THE FLUSHING HANDLES ON TOILETS ARE ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE...AND THEY ARE VERY STRANGE. YOU HAVE TO HOLD THEM DOWN FOR UNGODLY AMOUNTS OF TIME.
4. THAT A 'LONG BEACH ICED TEA' IS INDEED THE SAME AS AMERICANS CALL A 'LONG ISLAND ICED TEA'.
5. ALL DAIRY PRODUCTS TASTE VERY....ODD.
6. THAT GERMAN/SWEDISH/DUTCH TOURISTS STILL SUCK...AND I WANT THEM ALL TO LEAVE. FOR SHIZ THEY ARE ANNOYING AND RUDE.
7. THE BRITISH WILL KILL YOU OVER A CIGARETTE OR A LIGHT. FOR REAL. A SMALL GANG OF TEENAGE BOYS ASKED US FOR A CIGARETTE....WHEN TOLD THAT WE DON'T SMOKE THEY BECAME RATHER VOLATILE AND CALLED US FUCKERS.
8. THE BRITISH ARE ALSO CRAZY DRIVERS. CAN'T EVEN EXPLAIN HOW CRAZY. TAXIS ARE TRULY MORE FRIGHTENING THAN ANY AMUSMANT PARK RIDE I HAVE EVER BEEN ON.
9. ON A SIDE NOTE...SCOTLAND IS MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN ANY PICTURES CAN TRULY CAPTURE. AND 99 PERCENT OF THE SCOTTISH PEOPLE TRULY ROCK. GREAT PEOPLE WHO LOVE TO PARTY.
We found a bus station on Princes Street, the busiest street in Edinburgh. So we maybe have our bus schedule worked out for tomorrow's trip to the Zoo & Rosslyn Chapel.
Rosslyn Chapel is the church that many beleive that the Holy Grail is buried. i.e. The Da Vinci Code.
Also we finally have a cell phone working with minutes that aren't costing 5 dollars each. We have only a few, 50 exactly, but it will do for now and it only cost 2 pounds for 50 more. That is a big relief for me.
I am writing this blog update from none other than the Elephant House. It is the pub where J.K. Rowling sat down and began writing Harry Potter.
Last night we went on another underground tour, only this time it was the Mary Queen's Close tour. Very interesting, only no where near as cool as the other tour. Too many people and the guide seemed to hate being there.
This morning we hiked all the way up to the ruins where we saw a spectacular view of old town and new town. Aurthor's Seat was amazing from this view point, it seems to loom over the entire city.
PART TWO: WHAT NO ONE TELLS AMERICAN TOURISTS TRAVELING TO EUROPE
BY JANICE LEADINGHAM
1.ALL COKE/PEPSI/ANY SODA PRODUCTS REALLY, ARE SERVED WITH SLICES OF LEMON. ALSO ALL OF THE SODAS TASTE DIFFERENTLY.
2.FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON WHEN SCOTS ARE GIVING DIRECTIONS THEY WILL INADVERTEDLY POINT IN THE OTHER DIRECTION THEN WHAT THEY ARE SAYING.
3. THE FLUSHING HANDLES ON TOILETS ARE ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE...AND THEY ARE VERY STRANGE. YOU HAVE TO HOLD THEM DOWN FOR UNGODLY AMOUNTS OF TIME.
4. THAT A 'LONG BEACH ICED TEA' IS INDEED THE SAME AS AMERICANS CALL A 'LONG ISLAND ICED TEA'.
5. ALL DAIRY PRODUCTS TASTE VERY....ODD.
6. THAT GERMAN/SWEDISH/DUTCH TOURISTS STILL SUCK...AND I WANT THEM ALL TO LEAVE. FOR SHIZ THEY ARE ANNOYING AND RUDE.
7. THE BRITISH WILL KILL YOU OVER A CIGARETTE OR A LIGHT. FOR REAL. A SMALL GANG OF TEENAGE BOYS ASKED US FOR A CIGARETTE....WHEN TOLD THAT WE DON'T SMOKE THEY BECAME RATHER VOLATILE AND CALLED US FUCKERS.
8. THE BRITISH ARE ALSO CRAZY DRIVERS. CAN'T EVEN EXPLAIN HOW CRAZY. TAXIS ARE TRULY MORE FRIGHTENING THAN ANY AMUSMANT PARK RIDE I HAVE EVER BEEN ON.
9. ON A SIDE NOTE...SCOTLAND IS MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN ANY PICTURES CAN TRULY CAPTURE. AND 99 PERCENT OF THE SCOTTISH PEOPLE TRULY ROCK. GREAT PEOPLE WHO LOVE TO PARTY.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Site Seeing Continues....
We have now walked the full length of the Royal Mile, a few times. Last Night we went on a Ghost Tour of the underground vaults of Edinburgh. It was really really cool. Very informative and entertaining. The tour ended at a pub, so we walked around the corner to finish the night off with some Chips. Which, for anyone that does not know, are French Fries covered in vinegar and salt. Very delicious.
Today we saw the Edinburgh Castle and then discovered Newtown. The castle was breath-taking, however we felt it was more intimidating than beautiful. It was built to scare and hold prisoners of war.
we have taken some truly achingly beautiful pictures of the EVERYTHING...because everything here is beautiful. however, jared blew our converter up last night ...so we can't charge our digital camera and uploading the pictures onto here weakens the short life of the camera. we are really sad about this : ( but you will see all when we get home!
TOP FEW THINGS NO ONE TELLS AMERICAN TOURISTS TRAVELING TO EUROPE
by Janice Leadingham
1. your hotel will supply your room with a cheese grater and milk...but no toilet paper.
2. the hot water from the sink will be SCALDING HOT...but your shower/bath water is lukewarm at best.
3. a lot of middle eastern people own souvenir shops...and will chase you down if they think you have stolen something...even when you show the receipt...even when the store owner says you payed...they will still tell you that you did some thing wrong.
4. there are a lot of germen/dutch/swedish tourists...who will just walk into you on the street if you are standing where they want to be.
5. the scottish HATE LOSING...and on nights when the football team has lost...there will no doubt be drunks skulking around the town, not so much scary, but just...well, pathetic, hilarious, and shit faced (btw we learned the orgin of that word...whole other story)...one was even wearing a plastic golden tiara.
Today we saw the Edinburgh Castle and then discovered Newtown. The castle was breath-taking, however we felt it was more intimidating than beautiful. It was built to scare and hold prisoners of war.
we have taken some truly achingly beautiful pictures of the EVERYTHING...because everything here is beautiful. however, jared blew our converter up last night ...so we can't charge our digital camera and uploading the pictures onto here weakens the short life of the camera. we are really sad about this : ( but you will see all when we get home!
TOP FEW THINGS NO ONE TELLS AMERICAN TOURISTS TRAVELING TO EUROPE
by Janice Leadingham
1. your hotel will supply your room with a cheese grater and milk...but no toilet paper.
2. the hot water from the sink will be SCALDING HOT...but your shower/bath water is lukewarm at best.
3. a lot of middle eastern people own souvenir shops...and will chase you down if they think you have stolen something...even when you show the receipt...even when the store owner says you payed...they will still tell you that you did some thing wrong.
4. there are a lot of germen/dutch/swedish tourists...who will just walk into you on the street if you are standing where they want to be.
5. the scottish HATE LOSING...and on nights when the football team has lost...there will no doubt be drunks skulking around the town, not so much scary, but just...well, pathetic, hilarious, and shit faced (btw we learned the orgin of that word...whole other story)...one was even wearing a plastic golden tiara.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Our First 24 Hours in Edinburgh!
Wow. It has been crazy. First the flights. FLIGHTS. It took 3 planes, a bus, and 2 taxis to get us to our apartment here in Scotland. The longest of the 3 flights was 7 hours and 50 minutes. However the plane was equipped with TVs on the back of every seat!
Our apartment isn't quite what it looked like on the web, but none the less it is nice. Small but nice. Also, unlike what the site said, we do not have internet access in our apartment. So that means we will have to keep making stops at internet cafes to do this blog. That's not important though. What is important is that our apartments are right on the Royal Mile. Which is so freaking awesome because the buildings and churches on the Royal Mile are breath-taking.
While walking around we found the gorgeous church Cannongate Kirk with gardens and a graveyard. It was absolutely beautiful. Behind the church you can see ruins of the old city.
Monday, May 12, 2008
packing up and moving out!
so...it is too early in the morning to even be moving...much less packing and moving out of m'here. but it's okay, because we're leaving the country!!!
Not only did packing take up all of yesterday but it has now spilled over into 5 o'clock this morning.. We await transportation to our first destination, good ol' Knoxville. Home of the Big Orange Mo Fo's.
See ya in Chicago!
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