Trip Report
Thursday, March 24, 2005
All travelers had arrived at the hotel by 3:00 this afternoon. Everyone is safe
and sound but dragging a bit. The early flights were delayed for de-icing in
Detroit and had to rush to make their connections (in London and Amsterdam). Each
flight had its own story. Flight Number 1 had to rush to catch their connection
in Amsterdam and as a result 4 pieces of luggage didn’t make it. We are still
hopeful that they will arrive today. Flight Number 2 had a couple of travelers who
almost missed the flight out of Detroit because they left to get something to eat
and didn’t get back as soon as they were supposed to. Flight Number 3 was
uneventful until they landed in Edinburgh and were 'greeted' by a soccer team in
all their gear…kilts and all. If you had a daughter on that flight, you’re bound
to see pictures of her with the team. Flight Number 4 was uneventful except for
the one student who threw up all over his mother. (Thank heavens for mothers!)
All travelers enjoyed watching movies on the plane and got a couple of hours of
sleep and a couple of meals.
We were greeted with sunny, partly cloudy skies and weather in
the 50’s. The travelers that arrived on the earlier flights were
given an orientation meeting in the hotel and then were allowed
to have some lunch and wander around (with chaperones until 3:00
pm when they came back and checked into their hotel rooms. The
weather made walking down Princes Street very enjoyable. Several
of the students went to the Princes Street Mall and purchased
souvenirs already. In fact, one of our young travelers, Seth
Lambert, already bought a kilt….the first of the group. Others
wandered through the Princes Street Gardens which were beautiful
with the hills covered with daffodils. A nearby internet café has
been located so you may be hearing from your children. (The news
around here is that we can use the café for 5 minutes for the same
cost as it is to use the toilets at the mall.) Lots of walking and
little sleep and lead to hungry and tired kids (and adults) but
everyone is well behaved and seems happy to be here.
This is a beautiful country which includes modern conveniences hand
in hand with ancient buildings. The hotel is old and quaint with
high ceilings and heated towel bars, old plumbing and cable TV, big
tall Victorian windows and key card locks. As you wander the streets
and see these old stone castles blending with the double-decker buses
and the highly decorative taxis, it’s truly a cultural experience.
We’re off to enjoy our next cultural experience….dinner.
- Peg McClanahan
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