Trip Report
Thursday, March 24, 2005 (Continued)
As we left you last night, we were headed into dinner. There was a
wonderful meal prepared for us with three main dishes, lots of fruit,
salad and bread choices. The meals are served in a buffet style so we
are able to try everything we want to and eat as much as we want….it’s
sort of like a cruise. There were also three desert choices. Very few
foods taste like anything we are used to, as they are traditional Scottish
foods. Anyone who traveled to Paris four years ago is truly amazed at
the variety and quality of our meals.
All travelers were exhausted so lights out was at 9:30 and there were no
complaints, in fact, many were in bed before that.
Friday, March 25, 2005
We started the day with breakfast at 7:30 and one the again the food was
delicious. Rather than the traditional continental breakfast, we had
choices of eggs and potatoes in various forms, as well as fruit, toast,
cold cereal, croissants and breakfast meats. I haven’t heard of anyone
who hasn’t found food that is not only satisfactory, but very enjoyable.
For example, today Ryan Hoehner commented that he didn’t want to eat lunch
because he didn’t want to take up the room because he wanted plenty of room
for dinner. No one call fill up a plate like Ryan!
We all traveled to the base of the Royal Mile which is where the Holyrood
Palace is located. This palace is the royal residence of the Queen when she
visits Edinburgh twice a year. When she, or the family, are in residence,
the palace is closed to the public, but fortunately she is not here this
week and we will be able to visit the palace later in our visit. We had a
local tour guide who walked us up the Royal Mile pointing out unique
architecture, telling interesting stories and sharing the history of the
street with us. It’s a uphill road that ends in the Edinburgh Castle. We
had admission to the castle and were able to visit different areas within
the castle walls, including seeing the royal crown, scepter, and sword. The
castle is set way up on the hill (many of our students view this as a
mountain) and the view of the city from all directions is incredible. Some
of the buildings we have seen date from the 15th and 16th centuries. After
we finished visiting the castle, we were free to have lunch and have some
shopping time. Most groups ate at local restaurants or cafes and enjoyed
the cultural aspects of spending time in Scottish eateries.
In their free time (accompanied by chaperones) most of the students shopped.
Many of the boys bought kilts….it may be a new trend in Bowling Green to see
young men in skirts. Other activities included visiting the Whiskey
Heritage center which includes an hour tour in a vehicle made from whiskey
barrels. The “ride” doesn’t rival anything at Cedar Point, but it was
educational and all those on tour got a free whiskey glass….traditionally it
include whiskey in the glass, but not for us! Others visited the St. Giles
Cathedral, which includes the Thistle Chapel in which the knights are
commissioned. This chapel is the only one in the world which has angels
playing bagpipes and you have to look closely to find them. Still other
groups visited the Tartan Weaving shop which is a 3 level facility which
has the weaving looms and a whole variety of items for sale besides the
traditional ties and kilts.
The travelers got home about 5:00 and rushed to get cleaned up and into
their first set of dress up clothes before dinner at 6:00. Again, it was
beautifully prepared and followed the menu provided on the website. After
dinner we were bussed across town to the "theatre" to see the production of
"Boogie Nights". For most of the chaperones the music brought back
memories...but for many of the students the music of the 70’s and 80’s is a
fad and they enjoyed the music. The plot was pretty much non-existent, but
the dancing and singing was well done. The important thing is that it was
a cultural experience that the travelers won’t be able to experience anywhere
else in the world. (The lead was actually one of the famous entertainers in
the UK.)
We got home at 11:00 and lights out was at 11:30 and most of us were happy
to go to bed.
The news on the luggage...two of the bags arrived...unfortunately the 2nd
of the mission McClanahan bags was found in Detroit today along with the
missing uniform box. The good news is that it should be here tomorrow.
Until tomorrow…..beam me up Scottie!
- Peg McClanahan
|
