Military Tattoo

After checking in to our hostel in Edinburgh yesterday, we went up to the Royal Mile and saw some of the street performers at the Fringe Festival (see the link at www.geocities.com/aecuga/links). Then, we had some whisky, beer, and pub grub. With stomachs full, we ascended the Royal Mile to the castle esplanade for the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. It was incredible. There were bands and performance groups from the UK, China, South Africa, Australia, India, and Estonia. The pipers were amazing (you can hear the music on the Tattoo website). The castle was lighted. There were fireworks. There were flyovers by the Royal Air Force. And there was a lone piper on top of the castle.

Today, we went to the Book Festival. I'm going back at 4:30 to hear Karen Armstrong speak (if you don't know Karen Armstrong, search her name on www.amazon.com). I think we may also see a film tonight at the Edinburgh Film Festival. I'll let you know how it goes...

9 hours on the Megabus

Yesterday was a good last day in London. We had a picnic in front of Buckingham Palace and sat in St. James Park all afternoon listening to a brass band play. We walked around for several hours through Hyde Park and some other areas and had dinner in Oxford Circus.

Today, we got on the Megabus and rode for 9 hours to Glasgow. Our only stop was in Manchester. We're finally here at our shady hostel. Tomorrow, we leave for Edinburgh.

scotch smoked salmon

Yesterday was great! We toured parliament and Westminster Hall (ca. 1078). We took a ride up the Thames on a ferry. We saw St. Paul's, London Bridge, the Tower Bridge, and the Tower of London. We had a picnic in front of the tower that included a scotch smoked salmon sandwich and a prawn (shrimp) and avacado sandwich. It was an experience that we cherish but will probably not repeat. Oh, and a drunk carny kissed Stacey on the cheek.

Today, we went up Whitehall and saw the changing of the horse guard. Then, we went up to Trafalger Square and into the National Portrait Gallery. We just walked right in--no security and no fee--and saw paintings by Van Gogh, Cezanne, Rubens, Monet, Manet, and others. Then, we walked out the back and up into Leichester Square where we had a better lunch than the day before. We spent the afternoon walking through Soho, Picadilly, Covent Gardens, etc. just looking at all the people. And now, we're about to go to the Globe to see Much Ado About Nothing. We're in the cheap seats which means we're standing with no roof over our heads--hope it doesn't rain.

Anyway, we're having a great time in London. And we miss everybody. And we can't wait to get to Scotland.

jet laaa...zzz

Even though we stayed up all night the night before and all day when we arrived, we couldn't get to sleep last night and couldn't wake up this morning. We set the alarm for 7:30 and Stacey had to kick me out of the bed at 9:45. Looks like we missed the changing of the guard today. Fortunately, the guard will change every other day for the rest of history.

I also had tea with sugar and "whitener" this morning instead of coffee. It was good. I could used to that.

Now, we're off to Whitehall.

we're here

We arrived in London today via Virgin Atlantic. It was a great flight--as far as flights go. After staying up all night watching movies, playing video games, and eating, we were very tired this morning upon our arrival at Heathrow. As such, it was quite a challenge getting 200 lbs. of luggage to the hotel from the airport. 100 lbs. each isn't much when you consider we're moving, but it's much too much with which to comfortably travel.

We've been trying not to sleep too much today so that we can sleep tonight and be done with jet lag. We walked around a little bit and saw Westminster Abbey, Parliament, and some other sites. We went to the ATM, the drug store, and a few other places to help us get adjusted. We met several nice people. And we had fish and chips for dinner.

Overall, it's been a good day and a good beginning to our trip. Tomorrow...we conquer London.

9 more days...

Well, I've created my first blog. It seems like that should be the last thing that I do before I leave--so I guess I'm ready to leave. Except that I haven't packed yet. But after that, I'll be ready to go. It seems that Stacey and I have taken care of just about everything that we need to take care of, so now it's just a matter of time. 9 more days...