Home Again

I am finally home! It was a long journey yesterday and I can't say that I want to get on a plane again for quite a while. Scotland was absoultely wonderful and I hope to go back someday, hopefully with Mark. I felt incredibly guilty going off traveling by myself, but I think its something I wanted to make sure I did before we have kids. When I got home last night, my "kids" were waiting for me and I have enjoyed their company all day today. We watched some Pink Panther movies and Family Guy episodes today and I have atttempted to sort through and lable all of my pictures.



Ralph and OD









Ellie and Molly







I have the next 5 days to rest up before I go back to my babysitting job on Wednesday. Then another 5 weeks or so to mentally prepare for the next semester.

Here are a few more pictures from the trip:



The pub in London where Paul McCartney met his wife.




The Tower of London.

Isle of Skye

Isle of Skye

We had an absolutely beautiful weekend in Skye! Friday was a rainy day and so the ride on the ferry over to the island was a bit wet and chilly. Saturday was a little overcast, but no rain ruined the hiking we did and Sunday was absolutely gorgeous.

Shawnna on the ferry.

Our sheep friends we met on out little hike.

Our group in Edinburgh last week after the ghost tour....we survived.

Only a few days left before we head home! We are working on presentations that we will give on Wednesday during class and trying to get in some last minute sightseeing here in Glasgow as well as finishing our shopping. We'll see everyone soon!

London

Just a few pictures from the weekend in London. We had a great time, even though the weather was hot and the city was busy because of the Queen's official birthday celebrations. We took the train down early Friday morning and returned Sunday evening.

From the train on the way to London.

Shawnna and I as Sherlock and Watson.

Big Ben.

Westminster Abbey

Tower Bridge in London.

Me in front of Buckingham Palace.

More from Edinburgh

We went to visit a girls residential school yesterday afternoon in a town outside of Glasgow. We were all very impressed by the atmostphere there - very much like a home and completely different than most residential facilities at home. The teachers and administrators all said that they were able to see a great deal of improvement in most of the girls who came there and allowed themselves to be helped and it is rare for any of them to be on any kind of medication, even for depression. The child welfare system is very focused on the needs of the child and the family, and procedures are quite different from ours. Two of the girls gave us the tour of the facility yesterday and they did a great job. The manager prefers for the girls to give tours to visitors because it helps to build their confidence.

Plans have been altered and we will be traveling to London this weekend instead of the Highlands. There is a large music festival on the Isle of Skye, one of the places we were going, and we were afraid there would be no place left to stay at this point. So, we are off to London early tomorrow morning and we will go the Highlands next weekend.



New Parliament building in Edinburgh. Scotland established its own Parliament in 1999.









A pub in the Grassmarket district of Edinburgh.








The name of the hostel where we stayed in Edinburgh.







A view of Edinburgh










Gardens at Holyrood Palace.

Edinburgh

Just a few pictures and I will add more when I have time...

We found Braveheart in Edinburgh this weekend and he was nice enough to have his picture taken with us.

Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh.

Edinburgh Castle in the mist on the hill.

Wendy demonstrating what this spot was used for historically....Had a drink at a pub named The Last Drop because this spot is right outside its door.

Me and Andrew Lamb - our tourguide at Edinburgh Castle. You really can't go anywhere without running into a Lamb....

Arrival in Scotland and some history

Shawnna and I at the airport starting our adventure on Sunday, June 4.






Friday, June 9

Day 5 in Scotland! We are heading to Ediburgh today to stay overnight and see what there is to see. We have been here since Monday morning and have had absoultely perfect weather so far - completely NOT regular Scottish weather.

The above pictures are of what I look at from my dorm window...The large building in the left of the picture is the infirmary and the steeple to the right is the Glasgow Cathedral. The infirmary gives the impression of a place where they might apply leeches or something, but it is an amazing building. Class started on Wednesday and yesterday we traveled to a historical sight - New Lanark. We happened to be there on a town holiday and so we watched a parade in town before heading to the historical sight.

A picture of Liz and I time travelling at New Lanark

This is the building on the Jordanhill campus where our classes will be.

My pal Shawnna on the bus back to campus.

We are having a great time and are getting ready to leave for Ediburgh. The people have been extremely nice and helpful and we've eaten well! Found a helpful bartender who was trying to explain the nuances of good whiskey....

The history of New Lanark is really interesting if anyone wants to look it up online. It was a small settlement built outside of the town of Lanark in the 18th century.

Off to more adventures now and I will try and keep you updated with more pictures! Hope everyone at home is well!