"The day is mine!".....part II

Anyone who can name where that quote is from gets something awesome!

Anyway, I digress...

Thursday, Feb. 10:

Today was our free day in Edinburgh. I woke up early to get our free scottish breakfast at the hostel. Yes, they did serve Haggis. Did I try it? Why would you even ask that? Of course I didn't. Sick. Do you know what's in that stuff? However, I got to watch 2 other girls at my table try it, make disgusted faces, and kinda gag a bit. We all know how picky I am, so that definitely wouldn't fly with me! Haha.

After breakfast we decided to head back to the Tartan Mill and explore the downstairs since we didn't get around to that the night before. The downstairs is where they actually weave the tartans! I got to see the looms and the wool and people working the machines! It was soooo cool!! I could have spent hours there. Seriously. But, not everyone in my group felt the same way. Sad. If I had all the money in the world I could have gotten so much cool stuff, but I don't. So I only got a few things. I got a MacGregor scarf for my Grandma McMaster and a tie for Tyson.

one of the weavers

weaving the tartan

After exploring the mill we headed back down the Royal Mile and stopped at St. Giles Cathedral. It was super pretty! We were going to head to the children's toy museum with a few girls, but then we ended up getting separated and the girls that I was with decided to stop at this kilt shop that we had heard about from one of the boys last night. He bought an entire outfit... kilt, shirt, socks and the little bag thing. I can't remember what they are called. I did learn that they are because kilts do not have pockets, so that's where guys put the stuff they would put in their pockets. Fun facts to know and tell I guess.

St. Giles Cathedral

Anyway, I had my eyes on the look out for a kilt for Travis. He had told me that he wanted one. The woman helping us, Stephanie was probably the nicest lady ever! She was so helpful, was able to tell us what sizes to try on and she even let us, girls, try on as many kilts as we wanted and we could take pictures without having to buy them. We all tried some on. And, of course I fell in love and had to by one myself. I know. I'm ridiculous. But it's so cute and in the buchanan tartan design. It's family stuff, right? Haha, and she gave me quite a few pounds off too! Also, I got Travis a sweet kilt. Dark blue and Dark green. You'll love it, Travis! Super cool :) (Dad, I'm still working on getting you a kilt, too. So, do not fret!)

Trying on kilts. I didn't get that one... but if you look at the pattern of the kilt in the top left hand corner that's the one I got :)

After this little detour we went to the museum had fun there and then went to: The Elephant House! This is where J.K. Rowling came up with Harry Potter and wrote parts of the books! So awesome! We got lunch there and it was very tasty. I got a picture of myself in the corner where she used to write. The best part was going into the bathroom and seeing the toilet seat plastered with pictures from the Harry Potter movies! So great! The bathrooms were also covered in scribblings of people describing how Harry had changed their lives. It was really cool. I signed my name under "Dumbledore's army". I was number 116, 117 or 118. Haha I can't remember exactly. All that really matters is my name is under it! It was a fun stop!

In front of The Elephant House. Yes, I realize I look gross. haha.

J.K. Rowling used a napkin to start writing Harry Potter. So, naturally, I did the same thing :)

The awesome toilet. Yes, I do realize I took a picture of a toilet.

The corner where J.K. Rowling used to sit and write.

We went back to the hostel to drop off our kilts and junk. I met up with my friend Jaynann, and we talked to some people who hiked up Arthur's seat earlier. They said it wasn't that bad of a hike and that it was beautiful. So, we decided to do that together. Unfortunately, we didn't have enough time to make it all the way up to the top because the sun was setting. We didn't want to have to hike down the mountain/hill in the dark. But we made it quite far up, went off the path, hiked up a grassy slope and nestled into the mountain to watch the sun set. It was beautiful. One of my favorite memories thus far on this study abroad. I'll put some pictures of the sunset, but it won't even do it justice. It's hard to catch a memory like that in a photo. It was just amazing.

Where I would be hiking to. Jaynann and I made it to the part on the right hand side of the picture where the cliff meets up with the grassy hill.

Edinburgh :)

Sunset on the pathway.

beautiful sunset over Edinburgh.

I love Scotland so much. I can't even describe how I feel about it really, or why I like it so much. It's not just how beautiful it is, it's just the feeling being there. All the people we came into contact with were SO nice! That atmosphere was just a lot more comfortable and felt more intimate. We were in a huge city, but it didn't feel anything like a city, or like London. I just love Scotland and everything about it. I want to go back so badly. Hopefully someday I can return.

After hiking down Arthur's seat I met up with some other girls, Liz and Holly. We went on a search for somewhere to eat. We tried this pub, but since we all looked under 21 we got carded (even though the drinking age is like 18 I think?). They don't take US licenses or school IDs, only passports. So, we weren't able to order just hamburgers. So we found somewhere else that ended up having a 30% student discount! Sweet deal. The food was soo good! I  got a grilled chicken breast sandwich and lots of chips. So good!

I was exhausted after dinner, so I came back to the hostel and just relaxed. It was a great day, that's for sure!