Tartan Time

For the end of the week the entire group went to Scotland. It was a really interesting experience, especially because we stayed in a hostel. It was a lot of fun, but I am way glad to be back in London.

One interesting event at the hostel was talking to a group of french boys from Merce. They were on a politics study abroad type thing but it was really cool to learn about the education system in France and customs like dating and marriage and stuff. I think I learned more in that conversation than I could have in a French culture class.

After a four hour train ride up to Edinburgh on Wednesday, a group of us decided we needed to stretch our legs. We chose a "walk" that took us up to King Arthur's Seat. It was not a walk...much more like a vertical climb...seriously, it was exhausting. The view from the top was amazing though and made the whole thing totally worth it.

Queen of Edinburgh. It was insanely windy at the top. I thought I was going to blow away.

Jordan and I at the top...I think this is the "seat" but I am honestly not sure.

On Thursday we decided to go to Edinburgh Castle. It was a really cool building with a lot of interesting history.

The outside of the castle.

The city from the top of the castle.

The group I walked around with that day...with the castle behind.

After the castle we decided to go down to the Scottish National Gallery. This was a really small gallery but it was perfect because I felt like I could see everything and it only took an hour. They had some really famous paintings in there too.

On the way out of the gallery we stopped to talk to this bagpipe player. He was super friendly and pretty talented.

On Friday the entire group took a bus out to Sterling Castle. It was pretty cool to see...a lot like Edinburgh but the coolest part of the castle - the palace - was closed so that was kind of disappointing. It was on this huge hill so it had a great view of the town.

In the oven...this looked a lot cooler at the place because the oven had this red light in it. It really looked like I was going to be cooked.


This castle had so many cannons. They were everywhere.

Scotland loves William Wallace. He is their ultimate hero. They even had this huge tower created for him. Its a lovely tourist trap with only 279 stairs to the top! (that was sarcastic in case you were wondering). Seriously...I have decided you cannot go on this trip if you cannot climb stairs.

The monument...as seen from Sterling Castle.

Yeah...I climbed that.

Friends on top of the monument. It was actually a really pretty view.

The entire group (almost) on top of the monument. We were a sight to see. I feel bad for the other visitors.

Later on Friday we took a boat out to the ruins of a priory that were on an island in the middle of a lake. It was such a beautiful day which i guess NEVER happens in Scotland.

Scenery of the Scotland countryside from the top of Wallace Monument and the boat ride on Scotland's only lake (as opposed to loch I am guessing).

Friday night a group of us decided to take a haunted tour of the city. I guess Edinburgh is one of the most haunted places in the world...but I just didn't see it. We were told some ghost stories and got to go down into the underground crypts (they used to be slums but then the city just got built on top of it). It was interesting...but not scary like I was hoping. Oh well.

Trying to act scared.

Saturday morning we had a few hours before we had to catch the train back to London so we decided to explore the Museum of Scotland. This was probably the most interactive museum I have ever been to...it was so fun. Jordan and I especially enjoyed the dress up parts. There was also a place where we could drive a robot, launch a rocket, and try to lift our weight. It was actually a lot of fun. I don't know how much I learned about the history of Scotland (although I did learn that the creator of Puma was Scottish) but I had fun. And that's what matters...right? haha

This is our medieval attire. Yep...I had a sword.

I obviously don't know how to play the bagpipes.

Tired of always being the boy, I decided to try on another corset (I really do like them) and a dress. It was super heavy and the museum lady was telling me about all the hoops and other layers I would be wearing. I am so glad I was born in a day where girls can wear jeans.

Later I decided the skirt just wasn't my thing so I explored the astronaut costume.

Today was my last Sunday in the Mitcham Ward. I sincerely enjoyed the time that I spent there. I loved the children I got to teach and play with and the leaders are so amazing as well. I got to teach the older primary kids about the Doctrine and Covenants today which was really fun. They love to read out loud and do scripture chase stuff. They are really smart and know a lot more about the gospel then I think I did at that age.

Me, Whitney, and Cassie with the primary. They are a crazy crew as you can probably tell haha.

These are just some random pictures of Scotland. It really is a beautiful country.