A land of kilts and Ceilidhs

Have you ever wanted to learn how the Scottish dance? Well all you have to do is go to a Ceilidh!

This weekend we visited Edinburgh (looks like edin-BURGH but is actualy edin-BURROW), Scotland with school. About 25 of us went, and we had the most wonderful time.

Our hostel, the Castle Rock, was literally right next to the castle, which was breathtaking. We took a tour of the castle, from which you could see the entire city and the river. We went on a twilight walking tour of the city, exploring both the new and the old parts of the city and the shopping district.

Afterwards, we went to a Ceilidh, a Scottish dance where they teach you all the steps before hand. Everyone in our group participated, and I honestly don't think I ever had more fun. It was great to learn the dances and was hilarious because none of us knew what was going on the entire time. I would definitely do that again.

On Saturday, in the middle of a downpour (I don't think the UK knows anything other than rain), we took a tour of the Queen's palace, where she still visits and lives in twice a year. We then went to Parliament, which was a very interesting building, and climbed Arthur's Seat, the tallest point in Edinburgh. Climbing was absolutely hilarious because it was pouring and muddy and rocky and everyone was just slipping all over the place. The view from the top was breathtaking. I'll be sure to share pictures soon!

Murphy's Law

Today, we are going to have a lesson on Murphy's Law. Don't know what that is? Don't worry, by the end of our lesson you will be an expert. Murphy's Law states that everything that can go wrong, will.

For this lesson, let's take, for example, a trip to Paris.

Let's say that the flight to Paris is leaving at 8 o'clock in the morning, and the travelers leave their flat at 5, to give themselves enough time. Said travelers went to the Tube station, at which they waited 45 minutes for their train to come. Turns out, someone committed suicide on the train tracks and all the trains were delayed. Consequently, these travelers arrived at their train station ( in order to take an express to the airport) and successfully got on the train. And then sat for 45 minutes because of signal failure on the train ahead. According to this law, the train would have to go back to its original station, and the travelers would sit on that train whilst their flight to Paris took off.

These travelers would then have to buy a £100 train ticket to Paris, which would put them back significantly in their budgeting for the trip. Successfully, the travelers arrive in Paris...to find that their hostel is in the middle of the "open fire" section of Paris, where policemen don't bother to regulate.

Subsequently, if we continue to follow this law, it would rain for three straight days and the travelers would find that they had holes in their shoes which meant that their feet were wet. For three straight days. Along the same lines, one of the travelers would become ill. To perfect this law, the travelers would make it to the airport to fly back to London successfully, but would find that their gate was going to the wrong country. An announcement would tell them that their gate was changed and they needed to go through security again. In addition, they would sit for 25 minutes and be told their gate was changed again. Their plane would be delayed an hour and a half.

Landing in London would be successful, but they would miss their express train by thirty seconds, sitting in the freezing cold for 45 minutes. They would make it back to the train station at 12:33, to find the Underground had closed at 12:30. After a £25 cab ride home the travelers would be excited to have succeeded in the face of Murphy's law, only to find that their elevator was broken and they had to walk up five flights of stairs.

And that, my friends, is your lesson in Murphy's Law.

Despite all that, we got to go up in the Eiffel Tower, walk the Champs Elysee, visit the Louvre and go up the Arc di Triomph.

It was a trip of trips.

Cheers!

Christmastime!

Hey all!

Tonight Lauren and I went on an adventure to look at all the Christmas lights that are up around the city and I thought I would share the pictures with you! Enjoy!

A Wale of a Trip

Do you know what happens when you mix two hours of sleep, rain, cold, and a 3 hour bus ride? Nap time and Wales!

On Friday, we went on a day trip to Wales. I had no idea where Wales was, but in case you are wondering, its that little part that sticks out to the west of London. On the way, we crossed a wicked long bridge. Our tour guide told us that on very special occasions, about once a season, the river swells and you can go surfing on the massive wave that comes barreling through! So amazing. It was a very rainy day- the sweatpants and hot chocolate, book reading, puzzle doing kinda rainy- and boy was it cold, but I have never seen anything more beautiful in my entire life. The hills rolled on as far as the eye could see and brightened up the day despite the dreariness.

We stopped off at a heritage museum, where we were given an hour to explore. A few of us decided to explore the surrounding area, so we went on an adventure. We discovered a beautiful little river with rapids and a wrought iron bridge. We wandered a little bit farther into the town and then headed back.

The pictures you see above are of Caerphilly Castle. Amazing, right?!

After the castle, we went to check out their parliament and then headed home. It was a great day trip!

Cheers!

Ciao Bella!

Hey all!

I just flew in from Florence and boy are my arms tired! (ahem cough cough)...

Seriously though, I just had the most amazing week of my life! It started a week ago Thursday, when six of us jetted off from London to Barcelona. After a slight mishap where one of our friends lost his wallet (fully recovered, no worries) we made our way to the playa (beach). It was absolutely beautiful! I have never seen water that blue in my entire life. We couldn't help but to go swimming- it was a gorgeous day! The water was SO CHILLY but we stayed in for quite some time. Swimming in the Mediterranean in October? No big deal. We visited the Sagrada Familia, Parque Guell, this huge cathedral at the top of a hill that had an amusement park at the base? It was incredible. From the top you could see the entire city and the sea. So beautiful!

From Barcelona we flew to Rome. It was such an incredible city! We saw the Colosseum, Pantheon, Constantine's Arch, the Spanish Steps, Trevy Fountain, and so much more! We took a bus tour at dusk so we got to see the sunset over the Colosseum- it was so amazing. It was a much bigger city than I thought it would be.

From Rome we took a four hour train to Florence. The trip itself was absolutely beautiful. There were endless rolling green hills and at one point we passed an enormous garden with blown glass sculptures which was just breathtaking. We did not take any form of public transportation in Florence, we just walked all over the city. We saw David, the Duomo (which is the fourth largest cathedral in the world), so much art and the Arnos river. It is by far my favorite city. The river was clear as glass and reflected the buildings that are built against it perfectly. We also met the nicest people there! I would love to go back, hopefully soon.

ALSO

Dad came to visit this week! It was so much fun! We had an adventure yesterday. We took a bus tour and went all around the city and took a river cruise and then joined a beattles tour! It was so so much fun!

And now for a relaxing weekend in London!

Ciao!

What Happens in Amsterdam...

Apparently stays in Amsterdam...where it should! Lauren and I journeyed over to Amsterdam this weekend! It was quite and interesting trip...

Did you know that Amsterdam is made up of 90 islands, over 150 bridges, and way too many canals to count!? Now you do.

We went on a beautiful canal cruise on Saturday. Outside of the very urban city centre it is absolutely beautiful! It is commonly called Venice of the North because the buildings are built right on the water and it is more convenient to get around by boat.

We also visited Anne Frank's house, which was one of the most humbling experiences of my entire life. We walked through the entire house, and even into the "secret annex" behind the movable bookcase. It was very strange to know that this group of people hid out during one of the most horrific times in history.

Amsterdam is a biking city. Over 60 percent of the population owns a bike, and there are more bike paths than roads! There are even bike garages, like parking garages!

Up next: Barcelona, Rome and Florence!

Miss you all!

Cheers!

The Ireland Eye Sees All

Hey All!!

I know, I know, it has been way too long since I have written, but I have just been so busy!!

We went to Ireland this weekend and it was absolutely amazing! We got caught up at the airport in London because we were told to go one way and were supposed to go the other way... let me just tell you, getting your visa checked and boarding card stamped is not a quick process!

Our plane was slightly delayed, so we had a chance to defrazzle ourselves before getting on the plane. If you ever travel to Western Europe, beware that RyanAir, while incredibly cheap, is also inconvenient and sketchy! The flight itself was great: 45 minutes in the air and you are there! My favorite part was flying into Dublin, because you can see the Ireland Eye, the island that you fly over as you come in for landing. I know everyone says it, but it is honestly SO incredibly green!

Our hostel was in the city, right on the main drag, so we could walk everywhere we wanted to go. We did some necessary shopping and a bus tour, saw Dublin Castle, and the Guinness Factory (naturally). Lauren and I loved the city, but we really wanted to see IRELAND, so we jumped on a train to Howth and explored the coast. It is absolutely breathtaking on the coast. The islands are beautiful, as are the rolling hills. The houses are built into the hills, and are practically right on the water. It was a little shanty town, exactly what you would picture Ireland as. I only wish we had had more time to explore the coast and really get to see Ireland, but that is just another excuse to go back!

Keep your eyes out for more articles coming! I have been working on a bunch, so I should at least have some sort of credit in a lot of stories- I am learning so much at the AP! And in class, of course. Midterms are next week! Ah!

Next up, Amsterdam!

Cheerio!