Edinburgh

Edinburgh

We had a great time in Edinburgh! Scotland wins the award for nicest people. We learned that by getting lost on our way to the hotel. There is a big difference between Dalkeith road, street, and town. When asking for directions, always specify! Because of getting lost, we had a nice tour of the Royal Infirmary! After finding our hotel, Will and I raced to see the attractions. We went to the Edinburgh Castle and saw the Royal Crown Jewels. They were the picturesque crown jewels, but after seeing the 500 year reign of the Hapsburg Royal Jewels....these were nothing in comparison. (yes, I know I am spoiled and I should not compare). After that, we climbed King Author's Seat which is a 875ft extinct volcano. We got some great pictures up there. That evening, we explored some pubs, listened to folk music, and had dinner. It is hard to keep the time straight because the sun doesn't go down until 11ish. We stayed up late the first night and slept in the second day.

On Wednesday we explored the Royal Mile which is full of shops, restaurants, museums, and churches. We also took the city bus tour and saw the rest of the city. We learned a lot about the city, culture, and architecture. Will went to a whisky sampling that night and I watched and tried not to make too many faces!

Things we have learned:
The Scottish dialect is hard to understand
Do not eat black pudding or haggis.
Scottish are not known for their cusine
Understand the city bus system before you get on it!
The Douglas side of the family are pretty important! I bought a yard of the family Tartan (plaid material). Apparently James Douglas carried Wallaces' heart back to Scotland! (you know....the movie Braveheart!)
Pack more pants! It has been cold in Scotland!
This was a very quick trip to Scotland. I really want to spend more time explore the Highlands next time.
Don't fall down the steps of a double-decker bus while moving....lots of police, ambulance, and bus officials involved when that happens.
Lots of sheep!!

Our flight to Switzerland takes off at 8 tonight and we actually woke up early and caught the 8am train. Hopefully that will give us a little time to explore London. Apparently there is a strike going on with the immigrations control at Heathrow, but since we are leaving the country....that shouldn't affect us. Keep praying for safe travels and for Will and I to grow closer together on this trip.

Our first day!

Leaving the airport at 5:45AM.  We travel with carry on luggage only and do laundry on the road.

Happy wife!  Starbucks everywhere!

View of the York Minster in York.  Largest Gothic Cathedral in North Europe.

We made it!

We are in England!!!

We arrived late last night around 11pm. We stayed in the trendy, cute, and super small hotel. The purpose is sleep, shower, and leave. We had a bathroom "pod" and the room was no bigger than a king size bed!

This morning was a little rough and took much more time than expected. We stayed near the airport and had to find our way through London, buy our BritRail pass, get back to the underground, board the 1:08 train to York and finally arrived to our hotel around 5 (
I thought we would make it here by noon)

Both of us are pretty tired. Maybe tonight will be good. We were not able to see much of York today, so we will tackle that tomorrow morning before we head to Edinburgh. I am looking forward to our English breakfAst tomorrow.


Things I have learned:
Buy the BritRail pass BEFORE you leave the States.
I know why people like to sit by the windows in their home....no air-conditioning in England so the windows are nice.
Construction everywhere.....can you say Olympics??
England is going through a heat wave right now...great.
Yes, you have to pay for public toliets. Have not had to do that yet, so not sure how much it is. Yes, is is weird asking Will for money to use the restroom.
Starbucks everywhere!!! I am happy!

To Do List:

Starting to freak out now.....lots to get done and my biggest worry is forgetting something important.  (like getting a visa)

1.  Work out (I still don't fit into my travel pants from last year...)
2.  Buy bigger hiking pants!
3.  See what bills I have to pay so I don't miss any!
4.  Buy prescription cat food.  That is another story for another time.
5.  Go shopping for last minute travel stuff.
6.  Pick up doctor's letter for permission to take medications.  Dubai has to have a letter stating what meds I can take.
7.  Find hotel for Australia.
8.  Find hotel for first and last day of Switzerland.
9.  Rent a car for Hawaii.
10  Get plane ticket to Maui!!!!!  (that is Will's job!)
11.  Pack
12.  Give the cat a bath.   (really long story)

Oh yeah...between now and then, my sister and law is staying with us and both Will and I are in a wedding this weekend!  I think I found a gray hair.....

Mental note.....
1.  Don't hold hands in Dubai!
2.  Don't crew gum in Singapore

How does this work?

Me...a blogger? I would have never thought. This blog is for my family and friends..so that they might be able to travel vicariously through my husband Will and I. I plan on writing this on my new iPad. We will see how that goes. We leave in 4 days to travel around the world. Still missing a few hotel rooms, I better get on that.

Safe travels,
TAmi