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!
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
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!
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!
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
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!
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