Bagpipers in Edinburgh

Train RIde

Here is a brief clip of my riding the train through Edinburgh. I had put together one with music and words but it won't load properly. I'll keep trying and see what I can do later. Also notice on the side where I have put up the clip of the Scottish band playing on the street. The first two minutes is them talking, but then they do play music.

Pictures

I have finally downloaded all my pictures. I have emailed invitations to view my pictures to most, if you would like an invitation just let me know and I will invite. I did not leave anyone out on purpose. Here are a few:

The "Birthplace of Harry Potter" in the Elephant House- EdinburghWhere Harry Potter was completed: the Balmoral Hotel

The Royal Mile in downtown Edinburgh

Bagpipers on the street.

The hostel where I got to stay.

Plymouth

I can't tell you how glad I am to be back in Plymouth. Before I begin, though, I need to tell you about my brief stay in London.

I forgot to mention about my train ride from Edinburgh to London. At the beginning of the trip we were told that our trip was going to be rerouted so two train loads of people were going to be crowded onto one train. I got lucky enough to sit next to a bunch of stereotypical Scottish men (all but the kilts). They were loud and very forward, drinking heavily already underway when I joined them at 10:30am, yes I said AM! Immediately I was offered a glass of red wine, cider, and beer. They were very nice and fun to sit with for the next 2 hours. They got off before I did and most of them gave me hugs and kisses as they departed, asking me to meet them in NY when there would be there or maybe even Vegas. There were also two marriage proposals.

In London I made a bad decision on where to stay but no real problems at the hostel so I guess it wasn't so bad. But I did lose my credit card, or was stolen, or evaporated, or whatever needless to say - it's gone. The card is now canceled and it seems that no extra charges were made, Chase is even mailing my replacement card to me here in England (at no charge).

The Harry Potter portion of my trip brought me to King's Cross and yes - Platform 9 3/4 does exist, I was there. I have pictures to prove it; you can see me pushing a cart through the barrier. You can only see half the cart in the picture, since I am going through. The first time I was there (yes I did go twice, since I am THAT much of a nerd) I met some really nice young ladies. You will never guess where they were from- PHOENIX, AZ!! Imagine meeting other Harry Potter freaks from your own hometown on the other side of the world. We were all very excited and happy to have a moment with a little bit of home.

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Plymouth is GREAT!! I can't wait to tell you all about my experiences here for the next four weeks. I have spoken to the hospitality director (Jean Pierre) and offered to help on any tour as long as I was always guaranteed a spot, and JP seemed open to that idea. But, tours are currently up for debate due to the rising cost of gas and the fact that the old driver moved to Thailand (making is difficult for him to drive us over here).

I love Edinburgh!!

This city is great, it’s beautiful, elegant, historic, lively, and from what I can tell friendly. I will tell you about Thursday evening before I get into Friday.

But first. . . How can you have a mall with NO BOOK STORE?!?!?! Let me repeat the local mall had NO BOOK STORE!!! How was I supposed to get my copy of Harry Potter in its birth city without a book store? So I left the mall.

Directly across the street was Balmoral Hotel!! Can you believe it, I was so excited I forgot my previous disappointment and became giddy. I took lots of pictures and even went inside. VERY fancy. There was no indication, however, that it was the site where Harry Potter came to an end. Still, very exciting- for me.

I wondered around the main shopping street, found a book store but it did not have a copy of Philosopher Stone in English. I mean come on people work with me here. Had dinner at a cute Italian restaurant down the street where I made friends with the owner. He was very nice and gave me some tips on how to get around. I have yet to have any “Scottish” food, but from what I have seen of haggis and black sausage, it’s probably better that way.

Friday morning was sun shiny and windy. I walked to Hollyrood Park, not a misspelling, and climbed to Arthur's Seat. I keep calling it a chair and getting funny looks. Either way it’s not a chair or seat but the top of a volcano. The view was spectacular, 360 panorama view of the whole city. The hike up was exhausting but worth it, the hike down was the scary part. Jesus had to have held my hand because my eyes must have been closed for some of it, really something I should have done with others.

Safely down, I walked along the Royal Mile heading to Edinburgh Castle. Midway there I stopped and had lunch at the Elephant House, the birthplace of Harry Potter. While I was there, a big guy in a kilt and leather jacket with tattoos came in, I tried not to stare- come on, everything said mean, tough, biker, except the “skirt”. I lingered as long as I could bring myself to sit still, took many pictures and moved on. (Only momentarily and slightly bitter about not having a HP to read while there.)

Edinburgh Castle was great. I got to see the Crown Jewels, notice the lack of quotations, there was a scepter, sword, and crown. All having been used since like 1200 or so. There was the also the Stone of Destiny, which looks like a really big rock, that they slide under the throne during the swearing(?) in of the king. I don’t get it, but then I am American.

After the castle I went the Edinburgh Film Festival. On the way I stopped and filmed a Scottish band playing on the street, of course they were all in kilts. Again they were mostly very manly men who looked like they should be. . ., oh I don’t know what do manly men do? Any way at the festival I saw “Red” and even stayed for the Q&A with the director and screenwriter.

Today was eventful and exciting. I love Edinburgh.

PS My cell phone doesn't work here after all.

St. Mungo's

That's right, I was there. Okay it's not the hospital from Harry Potter but a museum, but still I got to go. Glasgow was great, went to the Glasgow Cathedral, St. Mungo's museum, the National Museum, and to got to walk around their shopping district. Nothing too exciting, but a very nice day.

I am now in Edinburgh, just arrived an hour ago. I have already gotten directions to the coffee shop JK Rowling started Harry Potter. I am very excited to go there, the guy at the front desk said it was pretty cool, there are pictures hanging up and you can sit at the actual table. I think I am going to buy a new copy of Sorcerer’s Stone and read a little there. I just need to find out the name of the hotel she finished writing Deathly Hallows at and my trip will be successful.

Oh yeah and I saw guy wearing a kilt playing a bagpipe as I got off the train. Couldn’t take a picture since I had so much luggage, but will try to find him again to prove it to you.

Loch Lomond

Loch Lomond was beautiful today, the sun was shining for most of the day and it was actually on the warm side. I only needed my sweater for most of the day, it wasn't until late afternoon that I needed my light jacket. I got to see the Balloch Castle right on the edge of the lake, it's not open for visitors but I got to walk around the area and the surrounding park. I also met some really nice people and got to be in some of thier pictures. There was a also a pair of Australians playing music in the park who were fun to watch. The afternoon was spent walking 8miles to Luss, a small town on the edge of the other side of the lake. The town was very cute and quaint. I did spend more time walking there than actually being there, but all is well. I am sure to be sore tomorrow. So far this evening I have spent it watching American TV with some Germans and Swedes, and who knows what other nationality. Pretty cool since we are all sitting in a castle in Scotland.