Classes

I made it mandatory for my seniors to "follow" my blog. I have asked questions about some of the entries. What I did not expect? To forget what I wrote.
I went back today to read through everything. I think if my students asked I could spend a week just talking about my trip. Is that vanity?
Some things I miss about the United Kingdom:
1. just being on vacation
2. walking everywhere
3. meat pies
4. pubs
5. listening to the British slang
6. eating meat pies in pubs
7. the fact that everything closes at 6
8. having my breath taken away by the sheer magnitude and beauty of...everything
9. learning - I learned something new each day. It could be about myself or the UK, but it was always worth it.
10. the weather - it was just right in Scotland; I could go without the constant mist of London

Dollars and Pounds

The coins: top row: pence, two pence, five pence, 10 pence, 20 pence
bottom row: 50 pence, pound, two pounds.
The Pound is like our dollar. The pound is signified by what looks like a cursive capital L with a line through it. If there is any change it is signified by a lower case p. Pretty easy.
However, it is quite daunting trying to figure out which coin is which. First, the queen is on all the money. So, you cannot just look for the one with Lincoln. To an American the 5 pence looks like a dime and the pound is the about the size of a 10 pence.
To me, the pound as a coin makes it easy to spend. When you are letting go of a five pound note anything you get back is coin!
The notes, aka paper money, are different sizes and colors.
The money is really easy after a while. If you do not like to deal with the mess of carrying around lots of coins your credit and debit cards will work IF you contact your bank and credit card companies BEFORE you leave.
If you do not have a credit card or choose NOT to use it you can purchase a Cash Passport from any currency exchange vestibule in the airport.
Keep your reciepts. It is interesting to see where your money went.
Check for the VAT - value added tax. There is a lot about the VAT online so read it before you go to Europe. BTW a shop has to give you VAT paperwork.

Edinburgh by bus

Everything sounds better when you pay in pounds. It seems so cheap. 15 pounds for a city tour? Sure, but then you realize in dollars...about $27. I never really thought about the money unless I was buying souvenirs. The money spent on food, drink, and sight seeing seemed totally worth it whatever the cost.(see my money blog)
Travis, Ryan and I had been walking around and decided to check out the bus tours. We went to the visitor center located on Waverly Bridge connecting old town to the more modern areas.
We decided on the City sightseeing tour which started every 15 minutes or so. We climbed to the top of the double decker bus and I, of course, got my camera ready. We started by driving past the Princess Street Gardens. These gardens adorn an area which was once water and ice. We went around the palace getting a better look at how the palace was built/carved into a mountain/volcano. Gorgeous!
Some things I learned on this tour:
1. Scott Monument is the tallest tower in the world dedicated to an author.
2. Edinburg was home to Robert Louis Stevenson and current home to JK Rowling.
3. In the 1930's witches/clairvoyants were still prosecuted.
4. A close is a walkway or wind which opens into a courtyard.
5. Burking means murder
6. A man named William Bodie was the man behind the character Dr. Jeckell/Mr. Hyde written by Robert Louis Sevenson. William Bodie would make beautiful cabinets for the rich then rob them.
7. Hogwarts and the quiddage arena are based on the George Harriet Scool where JK Rowling's kids currently go to school.
8. Dr. Bell was a teacher of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in Edinburgh and Dr. Bell was the basis for the famous Sherlock Holmes.
9. The palace where the royal family stays is called Holyroodhouse and is defined by the use of crowns on street signs. The name translates to Holy Cross.
10. The saying "Where there is a will; there is a way" was started in Edinburgh. The story goes like this: the coaching road from Holyrood to London was a 4 day journey and due to the highwaymen (robbers/murderers) one had to make a will before embarking on the trip. If there was a will made out; there was a way to get to London.
11. Sean Connery was a milkman in Edinburgh when he was younger. He is said to have had the largest route in history because EVERYONE claims he was their milkman. lol

The Scott Monument

Sir Walter Scott was born on August 15 which is memorable to me because I was born on the 16th. Scott was a great writer who penned "Rob Roy" and "Ivanhoe".
The monument, which took four years to complete, is 200 feet 6 inches of sandstone adorned with characters from his stories.
From the outside the monument is dark and brooding - symbolic of some of Scott's stories. The inside has a spiral staircase of 287 steps with three levels to stop, rest, and take in the city. Ryan, Travis, and I decided to take on the daunting task of climbing to the top. We paid four pounds each and went on our way.
The steps to the first level were okay. The steps to the next level were okay. The steps to the last level were tight. There was barely room for one person to make the last 10-15 steps to the top finial. The final tier was lovely - I guess. I am afraid of heights and could not look down. It was enough for me and time to head down, but a "rush" of people decided to travel to the top too. Getting down was a job! I was on the verge of an anxiety attack but my friends kept me safe and sane with Travis often stopping in front of the windows so I did not have to see out.
We were told there was a certificate for each person who survived this daunting climb, so when we got to the bottom I wanted it. The certificate is pre-printed. I am number 0089100.
Only 89000 people have been up this monument since it's completion in 1844? Um...okay.
I was disappointed in the certificate; however, it was totally worth it. The sculpting alone is phenomenal; the detail and precision is breathtaking. I faced a fear and had friends there to help me through it.
How did I celebrate? Gellato

Tardis

What else is there to say other than the blue Police Box is all over Edinburgh. I love the Doctor Who series which has been on TV since I was a little girl.
The boxes are no longer used but were very necessary once.
In the past the boxes were used to house criminals while police got backup. The box was also used for emergency telephone calls.

John Knox House

Located on the Roal Mile this house has tricked travelers for years. This house is not actually the original home of John Knox. There are original pieces however. For example, the painted ceiling is original although the extensive drawings have lost their rich color.
On the first floor is a cafe and small book shop. I bought the cutest book by a local author titled "A Wee Moose in the Hoose". It is about a mouse in the house - it is a counting book. I read it to my brother's kids and they loved it.
Once you have paid the 4 pounds to view the home - you have free reign. The stairs are amazing. So many staircases in Edinburgh's historical buildings wind.
The house has lots of Christian references and copies of Bibles. John Knox was known for his undying faith.
If you are not busy take the tour. If you are busy just check out the book store and take home a little piece of Scottish speech.

Where to stay in Edinburgh

The Royal mile is the most accessible part of the city if you are a tourist. The mile really caters to you. Travis, Ryan, and I stayed in Fraser Suites. The hotel is nestled in a side street off the mile and is more than worth the walk up a HUGE hill from the train station. The rooms are expansive. The rooms were (in pounds) 80 on weeknights and 120 on weekends. I think we were off-peak travel-wise, but no matter what it was an amazing hotel.
From the hotel you can hear bagpipers as well as the Edinburgh Castle cannon.
There is a sweet little cafe just outside the hotel with good, affordable food.
There is also a Radisson which looks like a castle itself. I am not sure of the prices, but to me it looked quite swanky.
Cheers

Edinburgh Castle

We arrived in Edinburgh on Tuesday evening. This is Wednesday afternoon. We all serendipitously met at the top of High Street aka The Royal Mile. Jen Bartley and I stayed for about an hour after the rest of the clan had left. We were able to see the crown jewels, the room where Mary Queen of Scots gave birth to the king, the stables, the dungeon, and the officer prison. The hallways were small and the dungeon was small and probably packed tight as can be.
Prince Charles and Camilla were in Edinburgh during our visit. I did not see them, but the castle was all a bustle.
The history of the castle is amazing. The cost of the tour is worth it, but the audio tour was not. The headphones were about $6 american. Everything on the audio was also written in a cool book which Bartley bought. Buy the book.
The gift store at the castle gave free tasters of scotch. Try it if you want and if you are 18.

Edinburgh street performer

My dad loves bagpipes. Daily one will find a man playing on the streets. You may stop and listen. You may take pictures and video. You may also tip. A few pounds is nice, a few pence is acceptable. No matter what taking time to watch this amazing feat is well worth it. I wish I would have had more space on my camera for a longer video.
Enjoy.
Cheers

Jack The Ripper

The six of us went on the Jack the Ripper Tour. I reserved us a spot on www.jack-the-ripper-tours.com. There are a number of walking tours, but this one was easy to work since you do not pay until the end of the tour. It felt more legitimate.
Dickie was our tour guide and he was very...enthusiastic. He really got into telling about the ripper and his victims. As we walked from spot to spot Dickie told us about historic places we passed one of which was Charles Dickens' primary school.
It is nustled in what is now full of India culture.
I remember a bit about Jack the Ripper from writing a research paper my senior year of high school, but there was so much more information. When I wrote my paper I was limited to encyclopdias and books, now there is so much more information and access to information.
Unfortunately, most of the spots where Jack attacked his victims have been refurbished. Many places were alleys which have become parts of shops or apartments. It is sad that 5 women and one unborn child paid such a price; having their throats slit 1 or 2 times, being disemboweled, and often having an organ removed.
The point of the tour was to try and figure out who he was. Who was he? No one knows. Fingerprinting was used, but it was too new. Photographs were possible, but police believed if you took a picture of the victim's eyes one could see the last thing the victim saw before death. This, of course, did NOT work.
Time was wasted and people were scared. Hysteria set in and people died.

The Globe

This program will only let me upload 5 photos at a time. The Globe was cool. I thought it would be more of a "religious" experience. The trip to the Globe was arduous. The lock box of tube stops is a bit tough to unlock. I think no matter who you are three days is not long enough to master the tube. Travis, Ryan, and I walked about 3/4 mile from the tube stop. That 3/4 mile took us about 30 minutes. There is no straight road - and there is too much to see. We would stop occasionally to look at very helpful maps and to take pictures of funny street signs. There are maps of town everywhere. It may be difficult to get home, but there is no reason to be lost.
The Globe - Once there I purchased a ticket for the tour and walked around the gallery. Jeremiah, Jennifer, Travis, and Ryan were also looking around at the paraphenalia. A hand bell is rung to signify the start of the tour; then we were taken to the entrance. Our tour guide, Kitty, was very funny which is not always the case. Here are 10 things I learned:
1. the new Globe was the brain child of an American
2. there were no power tools used in the reconstruction so that it would be authentic
3. the "nails" in the green oak beams are well carved wooden stakes
4. the plaster has a mixture of goat hair and sand to help it weather well
5. the stage of the theater represents heaven, earth, and hell
6. when there was a death in a play Goat's blood was used
7. when a "god" decended from Heaven the rope/wire was gaudy so that none of the onlookers thought they were using magic
8. groundlings bathed once a year and chewed garlic at shows to keep their heart well
9. men, women, and children drank beer all day because people were afraid the water was bad
10. the rich and wealthy sat at the side of the stage in nice boxed seates because they wanted to "hear" the lovely words of the play and not see the vulgarity

I was so excited the whole time I was there that I tried to contain myself. I think I kept saying how happy I was.
Cheers

Train to Edinburgh

I am on the train to Scotland. Happy Birthday Aunt Suzanne and Jimmy!

Day 2

Today was beautiful! It was sunny and cool. No rain.
I have uploaded some pictures, but there are too many to post. I have some pictures of Big ben, Parliament, The London Bridge, the lions that "protect" the south bank, and me while Travis is on the phone.
It was a wonderful day on the top of a double decker bus. I was able to see so much and our guide had some great stories that I will be able to share with my classes.
Tomorrow - The Globe.
If it was not 3 am here I would write more.
Cheers!

Day 1

OMG! We arrived at Heathrow around 7 am. That is the best time to get in because the lines through customs were non-existent.
Jeremiah, Jennifer, and I waited for Travis then we grabbed the tube to our hotels. Since we were so early in the day we could not check in. The four of us met at a pub called Porcupine. We had some beer and lunch. I had fish and chips - had to! It is, sad to say, not much different than in the US. Their meat pies are yummy!
Basically we walked around - after Jen Bartley got here. It was cold, rainy, and confusing. I did not take my camera because I did not know what we would see.
The map I bought is perfection. The little black book of London. I have gotten it out so many times I need it hanging around my neck.
My Toms are life savers! I got soaked, but they dried overnight.
Last night we went to dinner and then a pub. Pubs close at 11. Clubs - which they call bars - are open until later. There are also after hours places open until 3.
There is so much to see and so much going on that I have only touched on a fraction of my day.
We are on the way to a bus tour. The Globe is open all day tomorrow. Guess what I will be doing.
Having a great time.
Cheers!

Houston Airport

I am in the Houston airport. This is not the coolest airport I have ever been in, but it is easy to maneuver throughout. I am in a "hotspot" using a free wifi. It is only free if you agree to watch commercials every few minutes. I can handle it for 45 min of internet access.
I just realized that there is a spell check on this system so there will be no more misspelled words, mom.
I am happy with my packing, but the carry-on I brought needs wheels. Arg! 20 lbs seems to get heavier every minute. I looked at renting a stroller type thing, but the cost is not clearly marked. If airports want to make money they need to clearly mark things.
Make money? lol I paid $4.00 for a bottle of water that would cost maybe $2.00 at 7-11. I am sure there will be no 7-11's in London.
There are a number of exchanges here. It seems the best price to "buy" money for the UK is $1.67 for 1 euro/pound. I am not sure if that is the best rate. The exchanges here "buy" back money at $1.25. They make a nice little profit. I like the convenience of it all, but wonder if there is a better rate.
It is hard to believe that I will be in London this time tomorrow. Thanks to mom, dad, and Scott I have everything I think I will need.
Mom packed up my raincoat this morning and dad got me a bagel. Scott and dad swooped in at last minute to get a converter.
Beware of amazon! I ordered a converter and I received an adapter. The item did not come directly from amazon, but a "seller" on their behalf. Just head to Target or Best Buy for all of the little things.
BTW - About 20 other people have my same cell phone ring. THAT is annoying.

2 sleeps

There are two more nights of sleep before the big trip.

Today I went over to visit Dawn. You will see a picture of Dawn and her brother putting a faceplate on a light switch. Dawn had loads of unpacking. I was over there for about 4 hours and we barely finished unpacking the kitchen. That is what happens when you put two friends together - slacking.

Mom and Aunt Suzanne came by to check out the house, too.

Mom and I went to Target for a few small items. Dawn informed me that not all European hotels have shampoo and whatnot.

I am pretty liberal so when it comes to food I am willing to try most things; however, I decided to take a few snacks like almonds, fruit snacks, and granola bars. You can never be too prepared. I am sure if the water tastes funny the wine will be fine.

I am taking an adapter and a converter so I am covered in the electricity area. I saw "Leap Year" last week and really hope I am not the one who will try to charge my iPod and end up blowing out a whole town's electricity.

Getting ready

I am packing. My apartment is a mess.

I am ever the procrastinator and I have yet to finish cleaning.

I have my spare room and laundry room clean, but the whole house needs to be clean before I leave. It is just no fun coming home to a dirty house.

My computer will be accompanying me on the trip so I can update.

4 sleeps until I leave.

To be continued

For anyone who watches or reads this blog I am heading to Great Britian. I will be spending a few days in the London area and then to Edinburgh, Scotland.
This blog is mainly for family to "keep up" with me. Also, I just cannot get myself together enough to scrapbook.
I am so excited about my trip that everyday I find myself smiling.