Day 29: Hello Scotland!

Our last day in Ambleside was sad for me.  I wish we could’ve spent a few more days there to relax a little bit more!  I define the words “trip” and “vacation” very differently.  In this case, Ambleside was a vacation from my study abroad (which is a trip).  I would’ve liked to take a canoe or boat out on the lake and done a few more hikes.  Even though we didn’t get to do that, the experience will be one I’ll always remember!  We wrapped up our time at our B&B with a full English breakfast.  That’s basically bacon (different from American bacon), sausage, eggs, tomatoes, fried bread, baked beans, and black pudding.  I was too scared to try the black pudding (which is essentially sausage made from pigs blood) but everything else was great!

(Cute wallpaper again!  A little too loud for me though.  And yes- I am wearing the same shirt two days in a row- don't judge.)

We did one more “hike” in Ambleside before leaving the Lake District.  We walked to Rydel Mount which is where Wordsworth lived for over 30 years of his life after his family outgrew Dove Cottage.  Even though he lived there longer, his Rydel home is not as famous because this isn’t where he wrote most of his poetry.  We also saw an estate where his landlord lived.  The estate has stunning vistas of the countryside!  On the estate there is also a small waterfall.  During the Romantic period, it was common to try and “capture” nature.  One way that this estate did this was by building a shack with a window to perfectly frame the scene.

(Rydel Mount- the landlord's home)

(Kaylie, myself, Tiffany, and Chris at Rydel Mount)

"You must come away to some lonely place all by yourselves and rest for awhile."

After the hike, we said goodbye to Ambleside and left the Lake District.  Our sadness at leaving the Lake District was decreased for two reasons.  The first is that we got to finish the North and South series!  I love watching movies with this group because we all “Ooo” and “Ahh” at the right times.  We all got frustrated when Margaret didn’t look at Mr. Thornton and freaked out at the end when he kissed her.  I highly recommend watching the series if you haven’t seen it! 

The second reason we weren’t so sad to leave was because we were finally on our way to Scotland!  Scotland was the number one thing I was looking forward to on this trip.  Before we reached Scotland, however, we stopped by the Castlerigg Stone Circle.  You may not know this but Stonehenge is not the only Neolithic stone circle in England.  There are many places like it all over Britain but the mystery of it’s purpose and the way it was built are the same.  The one we went to is not very famous, but still quite large, so we could touch it and play on it.  It wasn’t very impressive so it was just kind of a nice break for us to stretch our legs and play a little bit.

(Katherine and myself)

(Kayley, myself, and Kelsey planking on the circle.  It was obviously my first time planking...)

We arrived in Edinburgh after a long coach ride.  My idea of Edinburgh before going there was that it would be a lot like London with more Scottish influence.  I expected it to be fairly large with both old and modern areas.  It was actually quite small and the architecture was very different.  We walked around the whole city within a couple of hours.  Edinburgh also used to be very smoky and the soot and grime clung to the stone of the buildings so they all look black.  It's unique in it's own way!  I really wanted to fall in love with the city but I just didn't love.  I thought it was okay but not absolutely great.  

(Statue of Adam Smith- the "invisible hand" guy)

(The Elephant House where J.K. Rowling first started writing Harry Potter)

(Scotland's Parliament building- not very beautiful in my opinion.  They are trying to become their own country and succeed from Great Britain but no one really knows if or when that will happen.)

We checked into our "5 star hostel" or in other words our "1 star hotel."  Six of us great girls in one room.  I'm glad there were no less stars because it was a little dingy... I have become quite spoiled with hotels I think.  Better than sleeping on the bus though!

(Kennedy, Amanda, Whitney, Katherine, and Amanda in our hostel room.)

After checking into our hostel and eating dinner at the Elephant House (very average food- I would not recommend it) we met up with some people in our group to hike Arthur's Seat.  This is the highest point in Edinburgh and also has significance in Church history.  Orson Hyde climbed to the peak and there dedicated the land of Great Britain to be opened up for missionary work.  For some reason we decided to walk around the peak and then do a steep vertical incline up the backside.  It was quick but hard!  We were all happy to reach the top.  I can't describe the feeling once we reached the top.  We looked out in front of us and saw the entire city of Edinburgh.  We looked behind us and saw the Atlantic Ocean and giant ships in the harbor.  We could look further to the sides and see the green lands.  And above it all was the setting sun that was literally red.  That scene couldn't be captured with a camera.  It was amazing! 

(Super six:  myself, Katherine, Amanda, Kayley, Tiffany, and Jaden)

I had a special moment on top of the mountain to go off on my own and to think about my Uncle Jake.  He loved Scotland and loved traveling.  It hurts my heart that he can't experience it any more, that he can't see the beautiful things I am seeing on my trip.  The world is a beautiful place but a little less beautiful without him in it.  I miss him and will always love him!

(Jake in Scotland)

We went back to the hostel and had another girls night watching Psych!  I was kinda scared of bed bugs or something like that but luckily I came out unscathed. :)

P.S. I want to document that today I discovered the beauty and deliciousness of Bueno Bars.  It's a candy bar that's kind of like nutella... it's chocolate and hazlenut.  SO good!  I think I'm hooked.  I'll have to bring several home for everyone to try.