Edinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh is one hour outside of Glasgow so I was happy to be there within no time at all. I arrived on Thursday March 13. Of course it was windy and raining. From what I’ve been told the UK is this way for 9 or 10 months out of the year. I think I’ll take my chances with tornadoes. However, I could tell the city was beautiful. Right away I noticed the castle and I could see many tall monuments.
I still didn’t feel great at this point, but I was determined not to stay in resting. That night I went on the pub crawl which was a lot of fun. One part of it was particularly funny. As soon I entered one pub I noticed everyone looked like hillbillies with some resemblance of home (just kidding). It turned out to be a Talladega Nights theme party. It was funny to hear the Irish quotes of the people. I must have heard “Shake and Bake” a bazillion times.
The next day was very busy. I did a thorough tour of city. I visited most of the tourist attractions and hiked up Arthur’s seat which is an extinct volcano. I really felt like I was going to die! I was wheezing so badly, but I just kept reminding myself I may never have this chance again. I made it though! Along the way up was a Swan lake which was beautiful. The view was spectacular. The city is built on 7 extinct volcanoes so it makes for some fascinating scenery.
I went to the Royal Museum where I saw Dolly (named after Dolly Parton), the first cloned animal from an adult cell. It was good to finally see her, stuffed or not. I had been hearing about this sheep for a long time. There were many exhibitions and I particularly liked the ones with the animals, but after a bit I got sadden by seeing all of these stuffed animals. I saw many bagpipers in the streets and I loved it! I have always wanted to hear Amazing Grace on the bagpipes and I finally did. It was everything I thought it would be; it made me cry. I think I could listen to that everyday and never grow tired of it.
Walking up to the castle I saw a man who had his face painted and reminded me of Braveheart. He had these large swords for people to pose for pictures with him. I did one of course and then he asked if I wanted a laugh and of course I would never turn that down. He proceeded to give me a post card of man in a kilt with a tattoo of the Lion Rampant of Scotland on his butt. The card was autographed and he smiled and said that’s me. It indeed was him lifted he proved this by exposing himself under his kilt. It was ridiculously funny to say in the least.
Edinburgh is known to have some haunted places so some girls and I decided to do a ghost tour. Umm, it was more about history than anything which is okay by me as I like history. This guy needed some help and I had a feeling I would be picked. Usually I love being in front of people, but not this time. I slumped down so I wouldn’t be picked and Ahoy! I was. I had to depict a naked hairy drunk that was painted blue. That’s an interesting combo if you ask me. Anyways, the tour wasn’t scary until we went to a grave yard. This was the graveyard that was made famous for Greyfriar’s Bobby which was true story and then turned into a Disney movie. We all got locked into a family tomb and as cheesy as it was a man jumped out about 10 minutes into it. I almost wet my pants REALLY. I am astonished by how nice people can be in Scotland. Before the tour began and after were reminded that if we did not enjoy it we did not have to pay. I did not like it so much, but I would have felt bad not to pay. Afterwards we had some Mexican food and I promise it was the best I’ve eaten in my whole life! Anyways Scotland was amazing. I hope one day to go back and find the Loch ness Monster and to visit Skye Island. I have heard the most amazing things about that place, but unfortunately I did not have time.
