Sunday, October 08, 2006
Castles Are Cool
On the second day in Scotland, we picked up our rental car and took off to see some of the country side.
Scott was excited to drive again, especially on the wrong side of the road!
We weren't allowed to take pictures inside so we just took pics of the grounds.
Obviously it was the perfect opportunity to play some GOTT! (Get Off That Thing is the Official Game of Cool Kids Everywhere . . . just incase you didn't know).
Then we had a dance party.
Overall, it was just a really good day for taking pictures.
It started to rain, so we got back in the car and were off to see another castle.
On the way, we passed this island which is a bird sanctuary.
I can't remember the name of this one . . . but it was fun to explore!
Again, it was the perfect opportunity to play some more GOTT.
And then it started to rain again.
So we finished taking pictures and waved goodbye to the castle.
We decided that fish n' chips would be a tastey snack so Scott took us to a cute little resturant in the city.
We were hungry.
Scott was excited to drive again, especially on the wrong side of the road!
The first castle we stopped at was Culzean Castle. It was really more like a mansion with lots of property, but still very cool to see.
We weren't allowed to take pictures inside so we just took pics of the grounds.
Obviously it was the perfect opportunity to play some GOTT! (Get Off That Thing is the Official Game of Cool Kids Everywhere . . . just incase you didn't know).
Then we had a dance party.
Overall, it was just a really good day for taking pictures.
It started to rain, so we got back in the car and were off to see another castle.On the way, we passed this island which is a bird sanctuary.
I can't remember the name of this one . . . but it was fun to explore!
Again, it was the perfect opportunity to play some more GOTT.
And then it started to rain again.
So we finished taking pictures and waved goodbye to the castle.
We decided that fish n' chips would be a tastey snack so Scott took us to a cute little resturant in the city.
We were hungry.The rest of the night we spent at Scotty's flat playing cards with his roomie, Nano. We taught him how to play euchre. . .
and I convinced the guys I knew how to rig the deck. . .
it was a fun night!
and I convinced the guys I knew how to rig the deck. . .
it was a fun night!
We woke up at 4 am the next morning to take Mark to the airport. Sadly his trip was over. It was really great to have him here, but I already miss him so much! Scott and I spent the rest of the day driving to Edinburgh. He showed me the castle and the shopping street, which was totally a tease because nothing was really open yet. There was no shopping for me on this trip! But we had a great time on our mini road trip, catching up and chatting about life.
Thanks for a great time, Scott!!
Now Im back in Amsterdam, and this week Dan and I actually have to do homework as the first block of school is ending, and our holiday weeks begin!! We have planned a trip to Barcelona, Paris and London and we leave next Wednesday!! If anyone has any suggestions of things to see (besides the obvious) please let us know.
Thanks for a great time, Scott!!
Now Im back in Amsterdam, and this week Dan and I actually have to do homework as the first block of school is ending, and our holiday weeks begin!! We have planned a trip to Barcelona, Paris and London and we leave next Wednesday!! If anyone has any suggestions of things to see (besides the obvious) please let us know.
Saturday, October 07, 2006
More Fun with Mark & Brie!
On Mark's last night in Amsterdam, Dan and I took him to the Eastern Delights resturant in Diemen.
It was also Mark's 22nd birthday!
The waitress brought him a champagne glass full of whipped-cream and a firecracker!
The next morning we said goodbye to Dan as Mark and I headed off to Scotland!
We took the train to the airport.
Mark and I made it to the airport in perfect timing.And then I realized I didn't have my passport.
So, with only an hour and 20 mins until boarding, Mark and I jumped into a cab and made it to Diemen and back to the airport in 40 mins. Luckily, the cab driver forgot to turn on the meter so we only had to pay for one way! So far, so good! We made it to the check-in line with 35 mins to spare.
Unfourtunately, the time on the confirmation sheet was the departure time, not the boarding time. We were actually 5 mins late to check-in. The gate was closed. There was no way to get on our flight. There were tears. . . . lots of tears, and apparently crying in Holland doesn't get me anything either. . .
. . . except a Whopper meal from Burger King.What more was there for us to do than eat fast food at the airport? Just as a reminder, I haven't eaten fast food in quite some time. It didn't make me feel any better, either. Since Mark was already flying out of Scotland, he had to get there somehow, and I wasn't ready to say goodbye yet. So I bought us two new tickets for the following day.
Departure for Scotland take two!!
This time we made our flight!
So we celebrated with beer . . .
. . . and wine!
It was a beautiful day to fly.
Scotland looks just like a really big golf course.
Scott met us at the Prestwick airport and brought us back to his flat in Ayr, where he is going to school.
The guys were happy to see each other again.
Scott made us a traditional Scotish meal for dinner. Haggis, mashed potatoes and turnip.
The haggis was surprisingly really good! I would eat it again for sure.
Scotland has a lot of good food. Like this Xtreme Cheddar Cheese.
And these Brie an Cranberry chips.
Later that night, Scott took Mark and I to a local pub.
On the walk home, we passed by the Ayr river and found 24 swans. 
It was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen.
It was the perfect way to end a great day!
