Homework for the Overactive Brain

Today's Quote--"Happy birthday to me, Happy birthday to me..."

Monday, March 24, 2003

 

T. From S.
Day 7, March 20, 2003
Edinburgh

Well, we stayed out all day, after getting up early. We visited the Royal Scottish Museum's exhibit of Scotland in the morning, we were only able to see just a tiny portion of it, it was huge and we only had a short time. There were a lot of nifty exhibits, I wish we could have stayed longer, but the rest of the city called. We walked up to the castle (after lunch at the museum). That was a long walk, but interesting. Then I heard the students protesting again and I went over and watched them for awhile.

We payed the steep (or 'dear' as K and L would say) price for the tickets into the castle. We looked around the gift shop (which looked more like a liqure store) until we caught a tour. It was very interesting and informative. We then wandered our way back down the castle, stopping in to see the the Scottish Honours (AKA Crown Jewels) and the "Stone of Destiny" (AKA Coronation Sitting Block) as well as a war memorial, broken tower, great hall, artilery, St. Margeret's Chapel (which is the smallest church I've ever seen, the oldest building in the castle, and built in the 1000's). We also visited the prisions and several military museums--apparently the castle is still a military stronghold. It was fun--then we walked back down to the Prince St. mall and had dinner and desert at the same place (it was really good last night) fish and chips and ice cream for dessert.

We looked at the shops, but didn't find anything interestion--we went outside, and met up with a police battalion just setting up to meet the protesters. We walked around Prince St., looking in several shops, and then the march came by.

Later, I called Mom, we talked for 2 minutes (not long enough!) but I feel much better having heard her voice--it's been exactly a week since we last talked and I missed her lots. I'll talk to her more Sunday.

Then we went and watched the protesters until they broke up (around 8pm) and then we went to Pizza Hut. I had my first beer, ugh, nasty stuff, I couldn't finish the bottle. We went to Pizza Hut because we felt more comfortable there than anywhere else, including our hostel...we made up a top ten list...

Reasons why you know you're not in the best hostel
(In no particular order)
1. It's in the middle of the busy city, the window doesn't close, and the heater doesn't work.
2. The light in the hallway gives more light to the room than the light in the room.
3. The only way to get lukwarm water is to turn on the cold tap.
4. The showers closely resemble those in the castle prision. (excluding the glass doors...)
5. You're more comfortable in Pizza Hut.
6. The toliets hate to flush.
7. There is a boy sleeping on top of you and he didn't even ask.
8. There are crushed chips on the floor that don't belong to you.
9. There are people who have been drunk 2 days straight and intend to stay that way.
10. The room's two lights have lampshades and only one has a bulb
(later additions)
11. In the middle of a booming big city, your only entertainment is playing cards in your room.
12. The smell of the local brewery (aside from being disgusting) can permeate the entire city when the winds are right (and flow into the hostel's vent in the bathroom)

So, here we are, back in our rooms, trying to entertain ourselves before we go to bed. I'm enjoying the city of Edinburg, but I'll be happy to get back to Glasgow's hostel. I miss New Lanark! Oh well...future notice..don't go to a backpackers hostel...

Righto, well, all that walking has made me exhausted. So, off for a wee bit of relaxation, then bed...more walking tomorrow.

GL 9:47 PM