Scotland

Three weeks away from our departure date back to the US, Amy I caught a train from Manchester Station (home of the friendly emergency room staff) and made our way to Edinburgh. It was so nice to be in the UK, it was a great change and everything felt so civilized. Everyone with accents, some so thick it was hard to understand, but everyone extremely friendly.

The train ride went faster than others and before we knew it, we were on a bus on our way to the home of Judy and Goff -- a couple that Amy knew through mutual friends who had graciously agreed to let us stay at their home for the week. Looking back, this was such an amazing stroke of luck, because the GBP kicked our butt. I'm so glad that we didn't have to pay for a week of lodging in addition to food and activities. It allowed for us to do some great things in Scotland with our 'extra' money.

In addition to seeing one of our favorite museums (in Scotland no less! The National Gallery) we also bucked up (literally) and went into the highlands on a tour. It was a relatively big decision to be outright touristy, but seeing as there is practically no other way to see the highlands, it was a good choice. Despite, however, the bus breaking down for an hour and a half and the group of women with terrible BO who, of course, sat next to us.

The rest of the week was spent roaming around Edinburgh and taking in a truly beautiful city. Edinburgh is one of the oldest cities in the world and the things we learned about the origins and history of it made me fall in love even more. I'm relieved actually, since I was always so mean to my dad about how lame it is to be Scottish. Now, I can honestly say that I'm happy to be from the Robertson clan, even though we're pretty sure our side was kicked out of the country for being criminals...

All in all, I'm in love with Scotland, and I'm pretty sure Amy was enamored as well.