- Edinburgh, Scotland: the land of the.... sheep?
I have never had a strong desire to visit Scotland, but this is where we decided to go on our first weekend trip outside of London. I was picturing green fields filled with sheep, but was very pleasantly surprised to walk off the train into a beautiful country. The first day we were there we walked up to Edinburgh Castle and although it wasn't as impressive as Windsor Castle (and England's crown jewels far surpasses Scotland's) the view of the city was enough to satisfy me for the entire trip. The buildings were mixed in with patches of green and the ocean was visible along the edge. I hadn't realized how much I missed seeing greenery while living in London. After the Castle we stopped in the Scotch-Whiskey Experience and had a tour of how Whiskey is made followed by a taste-testing. It was expensive and smooth Whiskey, but it still didn't go down well and I'm not a fan.
Our second day in Scotland we went to see Saint Arthur's Seat, a dormant volcano, and on a whim decided to climb it... in Uggs, Peacoats, and purses. We looked ridiculous trekking up through the rocks and mud of the "short-cut" we chose instead of the paved walking path, but the view at the top of the volcano was breathtaking. It was truly an experience that can't be explained and pictures do no justice. Scotland is definitely one of the most beautiful places I've been to. After our hike and some nourishment a few of the girls went on an underground tour of the haunted vaults, which Ashley and I skipped for a Starbucks break. The room to buy tickets had a bloody baby doll in the window, there was a huge sign detailing trips where people saw ghosts, had their phones change times, lights going out, etc., and the lady said about 4 people faint a day due to the small, enclosed, and damp tunnels. Needless to say, this was not the thing for me.
Both nights in Scotland we hung out at the Hostel Bar and the first night we ventured to a Scottish Bar and drank Fruli (a Belgian white beer with strawberry extracts - so delicious!). The hostel itself had it's highs and lows. It was our first experience in a hostel and the last time we'll share a room with random people. Ashley, Lindsey and I were in a 12 bedroom female room and were woken up by French people screaming away in French and shining flashlights on us about 4 different times throughout the night. Alyssa, Kristina, and Andrea were in an 8 bedroom mixed dorm which was practically empty, so we slept in there one night. But other than the sleeping arrangements, and a few language troubles with the receptionist, the hostel was awesome and a really good deal.
Overall: Edinburgh = successful and I definitely recommend going there.
- Brighton
Our program took a day trip to Brighton, a really nice coastal town outside of London. It was so nice to see sunshine, water, and a beach! We didn't have too much time there but we toured the Royal Pavilion, shopped a little, ate delicious Italian food, and hung out by the pier.
- Greenwich
Despite being overly tired, we dragged ourselves out of bed and took a boat with our program down the River Thames to Greenwich. Britt led us in a circle around the town and we ended at the Prime Meridian line where we all took the obligatory straddling-the-line picture and posed in two different hemispheres.
Random excursions, classes, and plays filled in the days between these trips, but it's become so much like a home to me that they've become normal and there is only one that sticks out to me: Billy Elliot the Musical. This was one of our pound trips and it was phenomenal. I love musicals and the 12 year boy who played the lead was outstanding. He could sing, do gymnastics, and pretty much every single type of dance; I wanted to adopt him by the end of the play. I highly recommend seeing it if you get the chance one day.
As for current updates, I got back from my spring break trip to Greece and Italy yesterday and that blog will be coming shortly....
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