As the bus rounds the corner onto Princes Street you see Edinburgh castle and old town. It is so stunning – the scintillating sounds and colours, the buildings and gardens – hills covered in ancient artwork of generations past– history literally etched into the mountain right before your eyes. I felt like I was in a fairy tale looking up at the ancient kingdom of legends. I got off the bus from on Princes Street and walked from 3:30 until 9:45. I’ve only just touched the surface of this wonderful city. I’ll start getting pictures as soon as I can download and clear my memory card. The feelings of wonder and desire to stay and explore here for years are beyond my ability to describe. Without second thought and immediately I knew that I could live here – that in fact I wanted to. I’ve got so much to do here and only eleven more days. Not to mention I need to visit the highlands and all the rest of Scotland. I am sad already that there is such limited time. But I plan to make the most of every moment.

Love you and thinking of you – Wishing mum the best and you know I’m thinking about you all while I’m here.

Last few days-

Pretty darn excited to be here in Edinburgh. It is an unbelievable city. Without a doubt one of my favorite places. This last weekend was a trip – spent Friday through Sunday on day trips. Slept 14 hours from Thursday night to Monday night – killer but so worth it. When I get home I’m going to crash for a few days lol! So, Friday went up into the Highlands stunning scenery Loch’s, waterfalls, and a whisky distillery what a trip the emerald green hills, heather and fern, bracken and flora and fauna from around the world. Sheep, sheep, a few more sheep, then a sheep here, and another sheep right over there, two more sheep up there and four down below! Some cattle big toffee furry beasts. Ate haggis and lots of potatoes. The waterfalls were amazing because of the peat draining into the rivers due to all the rain the rivers looked like huge flowing rivers of Guinness splashing and sparkling its dark deep colour across the rocks. Beautiful – stunning – clouds and mist ranging across the mountains and glens. Windows of sunlight breaking through and illuminating the world as thought covered in a sparkling silver veil. Each day trip took all day leaving at 8:15 and returning between 5:30 and 7:30 each time.

Saturday I went to Stirling Castle – Saw the Wallace monument and explored a little there then headed out to two huge nature reserves before winding down a single lane roadway to Inversnaid on the banks of Loch Lomond. I couldn’t stop myself from singing the song as I sat on the shores. We hiked our way up to a high overlook and explored the beauty of the Loch. Again the Greenery, rushing tumbling and falling streams playing amongst each other splashing and frothing on their mad dash to the loch from the heights of the mountains. Unbridled beauty – indescribable the feelings which filled me as I stood and climbed through such land. Birds, rabbits, squirrels, sheep…. Stunning. The view from the top of the path left me completely breathless. We emerged just as the rain broke and the sun broke through and illuminated where we were standing then spread along the gap in the clouds and join the waters giving them a scintillating prismatic effect as the water sparkled within the loch.

Sunday – Down south – southern Scotland down toward the border lands. Melrose Abbey, Scots view, And Roslyn chapel. Roslyn is an unforgettable experience, unbelievable stonework, carving and unique expression in the stone. Each spire on the external is different and original the stained glass and the pillars are all ornate and then the carved cherubs, faces, and scenes from the bible each express through the stone emotion and stories without need of words. Saw the building where they cloned Dolly!!!!

Monday – Upper Highlands, Glencoe – Loch Ness – I went swimming!!!!!!! – Inverness – all around that area. Again the surrounding land is stunningly beautiful – high cliffs, tumbling waterfalls, caves and jagged juts of stone. Loch ness was FREEEEEEEZING! But I felt so alive as I jumped in the second time! I have video as well. Muhahahhahaha.

The book of Kells was gloriously beautiful. Although small its intricacies and the illuminated text was simply stunning.

Friday night worked out quite well, we played a few drinking games and just mulled around, talking having fun and enjoying the evening. The sun sets at around 10 but it won’t get dark until 11:30pm- 12:00am. From the time the sun sets the horizon turns a purpled red. Gorgeous spirals of colour rise up from the horizon into the clouds and the colours mix with all the greenery. It’s truly stunning. The sun rises around 5. 4:57 Sunrise and 21:53 sunset.
It is pretty wonderful here. But again it’s so laid back that I haven’t accomplished that much. Other than exploring st. Stephens park (large park with huge lawns and arranged flowers tucked behind a large water feature (lake with ducks and other birds with a central island). Gave three of the girls a good back massage at least an hour to an hour and a half each so I’ve got new dedicated friends there…hehehe. Friday done went to sleep.

Saturday – woke up at a decent time 11:00 despite it being light already for five hours. Wandered again into town and explored. Bought MOOOORRRREEEE groceries. Spring onions etc. that night we went down into the city center and ventured into a Dark Techno/trance club here in Dublin. That was a TRIP. I got asked for ecstasy three times and offered some pills. I didn’t take any but it was a new experience to be in an environment that was rampant with blatant drug use. The music was amazing none the less. We left at 3:00 and began to try and find the buses. We walked 2/3 of the way home which is about five miles – give or take. Then we caught a taxi and got a ride home.

Sunday was again pretty relaxed. Cooked myself breakfast, Fresh apples spring onions and hot pasta with Italian seasoning mixed with thinly sliced cheddar – Very good taste! took a nap. Went back to the St. Stephens Park and watched traditional Irish folk music and some river dancing at the gazebo there. That was pretty nice it went on from 3:00-5:15. Then wandered to an ethnic area and picked up some food – Chinese food pretty cheap for the portions and darn good.

Sunday night a girl and I ventured out and found a salsa club. Stayed there until 12:45 and missed the night buses. Salsa club was amazing. A huge long hall with wooden floors with a circular area at the base (end of the bar) which made it look very similar to an old thermometer. Danced my arse off and just had a blast.

Monday – wandered into town hoping to tour some museums and libraries but they are closed on Mondays. Instead bought a bottle of wine and went to the park again. Drank under the green canopy above and enjoyed the serene sounds of the birds – ducks fishing and the gentle sound of air rushing through the leaves. After that met up with Cary and wandered to the Guinness brewery – second time there but took the tour this time. First time I just bought souvenirs – part of what was so expensive. Took the tour and saw Dublin for the highest point in the city – the Sky lounge at the top of Guinness. Took some round about pictures. Brought back memories of Paris and the Eiffel tower although it was different. After the brewery wandered back home again – bought more groceries and came home. We cooked a great dinner – pan fried chicken breasts with pasta, garlic spring onions melted cheddar cheese and chopped cold apple. It tasted wonderful. We cut up a baguette as well and ate it with olive oil and a little bit of salt. Truly a great time.

Tuesday today – class then nap now writing this. Off to a field trip to kilmainhan gaol.

The weather has been startling- no rain or cold just bright hot sun since we landed on Wednesday – this morning a breeze came up so we are hoping for a little rain. But it has been BEAUTIFUL so far.

Day 1: 16-5-06

After a safe arrival, we have landed in Heathrow. We disembarked from our aircraft and moved through security, excited by the new smells, temperatures and sensations of our destination. After passing through security we were escorted outside and got on a tour bus hired to take us to our new accommodations. This bus ride was to be our first exposure to London. Riding the bus, new sights and sounds surrounded us. As I looked around I saw old brick buildings, stone, mason work, mixed in with new high-rises and steel, and everywhere about us, Green. The city around us is a wonderful change from the hot, dry desert of phoenix. Instead of the eleven shades of brown there are a million shades of green.

We made it to our accommodations and proceeded through the steps which would allow us to start to explore Chelsea and Kensington. After a brief tour and registration for the computer labs we were allowed thirty minutes for a quick meal and some exploring. My room-mate, William Cook, and I began exploring and four our way to The Prince’s Regent, a small pub right around the corner from our new lodgings. After a startlingly refreshing Guinness (Much better than the American Guinness) we were back on our way. We arrived at the university which is hosting us and geared up for a brisk walk to our orientation. After some quick speeches on safety, shopping, and the general expectations and areas in London we were released to find our way around and get a real dinner.
We returned to our room and grouped up with four others, and then we decided to head to the pub and look for some grub. When we left the apts. we discovered it was raining, much to our glee. Sadly by the time we made it to the pub we discovered that the kitchen was closed and had to change our plans.

We hiked down Gloucester rd. and made our way to a super market a little over three blocks away. After figuring out the cheapest alternatives for food we decided to head over to the counter and pay.

This was a nightmare. I having a debit card began to pay for my groceries. The Debit card my father had worked diligently to procure for me, free of fee’s and charges for overseas use incurred a flurry of angry questions from the teller and the involvement of the manager. The ATM/DEBIT card is in dad’s name, the signature on the back is also his. Because the signature is his and not mine, I am legally not allowed to use the Card. After telling the manager again and again that it was my father’s card and that I did not realize that it was a problem I was forced to pay using my VISA Chase credit card. I was told that if I tired to use the card again, it was illegal and would not be accepted. It seems from here on out I use Cash until I can figure out whether the charges are waived on my credit card like they are for the debit card. Despite being frustrating I know there’s a way around it.
We came home, and after some thought I continued on with the help of William and cooked penne pasta with an excellent tomato and herb sauce mixed with minced lamb. The meal was excellent and quite filling. Now I’m about to do some class work for tomorrow’s first class – 9:00am!