Trip day 2
Day 153, March 11, 2009 Day 2
I woke up pretty early today cause I really had almost too much to fit in one day over there. The other thing I knew I wanted to do was shop, sounds really bad but there were quite a few items I wanted to buy for presents and also one or 2 for myself. The first step I took was to go right to Edinburgh Castle first thing. I got there around 9.30 after walking from my hotel. I was surprised at how crowded it was already, at least on the outside, once inside it wasn’t so bad. Regardless, the castle was pretty amazing. It’s hard to compare it with Windsor or Warrick because it’s a lot different. I think proly the coolest part of it is that it’s so embedded into the rock and kill that it stands on. It’s like half castle half sheer cliff walls and dramatic hilountain. The walls were really amazing, most of them carved right out of the hill on which it sits. It’s also impressive to see this place where there’s basically a small town there. Lots of buildings and streets and different levels, it’s all just pretty huge, there were a few highlights for me. All the history involved with the castle was just great and there was a ton of it. Of course I’m especially interested with the civil war period of which the castle had a major part to play. The role of the Scots during this period was always tuff for me, it’s hard enough to keep track of what was going on in England proper, but I think I understand a little bit better. The royal crown jewels of Scotland and the stone of scone were something truly special. The stone in particular was taken by Edward I, aka longshankes(cause of how tall he was), and used in crowning ceremonies for England ever since, it was finally given back by the current Queen, like recently, under the agreement that it has to travel to England when new Kings/Queens as crowned. The jewels were cool too, a crown, a sword, and scepter like what you think of when you think medieval knights and kings and stuff. They were almost destroyed by Cromwell only for 2 women to smuggle them out of the castle, eventually they were hidden for a few hundred years until they were found again completely unharmed. The numerous cannons, including mons meg, which was just this enormous cannon, were really cool too. Lastly, I really enjoyed the beautiful yet somber Scottish War Memorial. One of the things I really learned about Scotland and Scottish people is that they country has a long and proud military past, one that even in these times of relative peace, is apparent. In a way they’re like how South Park the Movie put “operation black shield” to Chef and his black friends. The Scots seemed to be at the front lines of a lot of England’s recent conflicts. Interesting to say the least. Overall though the castle didn’t disappoint at all, it was full of cool history and awe inspiring views, architectural, and military power.
After about 2 ½ hours at the castle, the next thing was the Scottish museum. First I needed some lunch so I found a little pizza shack and got a couple slices, perfect for an on the go meal. The museum was great though. It seemed specifically child friendly with lots of exhibits being hands on type of deals, which is good. I really enjoyed learning more about Scotland all the way from how the country itself was formed during the ice ages and eventually all the way to modern history. Of course I was proly the most interested in the periods between 1600-1700 just cause that’s where most of my knowledge lies, but the entire thing was really great. You really got a sense of what has been important for Scotland over the years: textiles, wool, and military industries to name the most important. Overall though, my favorite thing ans what really summed up the entire museum and just the whole trip up there was this video montage/mash up of proly 100 various Scots of all ages talking about what it means to be Scottish. Just a few of the things it touched were stuff like what they like, what they don’t like, perceptions of themselves abroad, favorite Scottish word, and even stuff like favorite food. What I took away was that Scotland is just like the AK but on a bigger level. The people seem so proud to be Scottish, as well as British, but SCOTTISH first and foremost. They’re also very hearty people who don’t mind bad weather or whatever. They like being different in that special, just little way. Even though you’re right there with England, Scottish people are Scots just like I always say I’m Alaskan first before I say I’m from the States. AK pride it seems is like Scottish pride and it’s something you can really feel, even in a big city like Edinburgh. So, if nothing else then my trip to the museum was worth it just for that realization and connection.
Next up after that was visiting the central cathedral in Edinburgh. At this point I sorta realized that I’ve been to some of the nicer, bigger churches in all of England, so why stop now? St. Giles was very nice like the rest of the chapels I’ve been to. However, all of them are just slightly different in a few major ways and this makes them all really special. One thing I loved was the different stained glass, the kind of which I’d never really seen before. I’m not sure how it was that much different but it was, maybe more browns than I’m used to seeing but very nice. The main tower was also a “crown” tower which is what it sounds like. IT was really cool to see and again something I hadn’t seen before. They had a huge organ too. My time spent in there was very nice and I took my time and soaked it all in. I’m trying to take my time at a lot of these places just cause you don’t see these things in the states and it’s easy to sort of get bored with churches, even though they’re awesome, you just get numb to them after a while. I’m trying to not let that happen by just taking my time and really enjoying these places, sitting down and just chilling for 15 mins, I think it’s a good thing.
At this point the time was about 3ish and I know that most of the touristy stores closed at 5. Although I still wanted to see the national gallery and maybe Holyrood palace, I thought I should proly get my shopping done frist and see what sort of time I had left. I can’t really say much about what I bought cause they’re mostly presents for other people. I can say that I did buy a kilt! I’m not sure when I’ll wear it or whwere but for £40 for what I think as a quality kilt, I think it’s worth it. The tartan is Grant Modern Hunting, I think. It has mostly dark green and black with little stripes of red and yellow thrown in, I like it a lot. I also got some socks, so now I’m ready to use it for…whatever. All the rest of what I got was really awesome too and I’m really excited to send it all away and give the stuff out to people. The only problem that I see now is that I’ve seriously bought so much stuff that I’m not sure how I’m going to get it all home! I think I’ll send some of it with my quilt, but I’m hoping I have room for it all. I’m sure I proly will in the long run, hell I’ll make it work one way or another.
After this I went back to the hotel to drop the stuff off and recharge my batteries a little. Traveling does take it out of you, no joke. After a while I went for dinner, a pint, and the Champions league in a pub on the royal mile, all good stuff. That took me up to night time and bed, I had another early start cause I knew I wanted to do the national gallery before I left Scotland around noonish, so I needed to make the most of my time. Until next time
I woke up pretty early today cause I really had almost too much to fit in one day over there. The other thing I knew I wanted to do was shop, sounds really bad but there were quite a few items I wanted to buy for presents and also one or 2 for myself. The first step I took was to go right to Edinburgh Castle first thing. I got there around 9.30 after walking from my hotel. I was surprised at how crowded it was already, at least on the outside, once inside it wasn’t so bad. Regardless, the castle was pretty amazing. It’s hard to compare it with Windsor or Warrick because it’s a lot different. I think proly the coolest part of it is that it’s so embedded into the rock and kill that it stands on. It’s like half castle half sheer cliff walls and dramatic hilountain. The walls were really amazing, most of them carved right out of the hill on which it sits. It’s also impressive to see this place where there’s basically a small town there. Lots of buildings and streets and different levels, it’s all just pretty huge, there were a few highlights for me. All the history involved with the castle was just great and there was a ton of it. Of course I’m especially interested with the civil war period of which the castle had a major part to play. The role of the Scots during this period was always tuff for me, it’s hard enough to keep track of what was going on in England proper, but I think I understand a little bit better. The royal crown jewels of Scotland and the stone of scone were something truly special. The stone in particular was taken by Edward I, aka longshankes(cause of how tall he was), and used in crowning ceremonies for England ever since, it was finally given back by the current Queen, like recently, under the agreement that it has to travel to England when new Kings/Queens as crowned. The jewels were cool too, a crown, a sword, and scepter like what you think of when you think medieval knights and kings and stuff. They were almost destroyed by Cromwell only for 2 women to smuggle them out of the castle, eventually they were hidden for a few hundred years until they were found again completely unharmed. The numerous cannons, including mons meg, which was just this enormous cannon, were really cool too. Lastly, I really enjoyed the beautiful yet somber Scottish War Memorial. One of the things I really learned about Scotland and Scottish people is that they country has a long and proud military past, one that even in these times of relative peace, is apparent. In a way they’re like how South Park the Movie put “operation black shield” to Chef and his black friends. The Scots seemed to be at the front lines of a lot of England’s recent conflicts. Interesting to say the least. Overall though the castle didn’t disappoint at all, it was full of cool history and awe inspiring views, architectural, and military power.
After about 2 ½ hours at the castle, the next thing was the Scottish museum. First I needed some lunch so I found a little pizza shack and got a couple slices, perfect for an on the go meal. The museum was great though. It seemed specifically child friendly with lots of exhibits being hands on type of deals, which is good. I really enjoyed learning more about Scotland all the way from how the country itself was formed during the ice ages and eventually all the way to modern history. Of course I was proly the most interested in the periods between 1600-1700 just cause that’s where most of my knowledge lies, but the entire thing was really great. You really got a sense of what has been important for Scotland over the years: textiles, wool, and military industries to name the most important. Overall though, my favorite thing ans what really summed up the entire museum and just the whole trip up there was this video montage/mash up of proly 100 various Scots of all ages talking about what it means to be Scottish. Just a few of the things it touched were stuff like what they like, what they don’t like, perceptions of themselves abroad, favorite Scottish word, and even stuff like favorite food. What I took away was that Scotland is just like the AK but on a bigger level. The people seem so proud to be Scottish, as well as British, but SCOTTISH first and foremost. They’re also very hearty people who don’t mind bad weather or whatever. They like being different in that special, just little way. Even though you’re right there with England, Scottish people are Scots just like I always say I’m Alaskan first before I say I’m from the States. AK pride it seems is like Scottish pride and it’s something you can really feel, even in a big city like Edinburgh. So, if nothing else then my trip to the museum was worth it just for that realization and connection.
Next up after that was visiting the central cathedral in Edinburgh. At this point I sorta realized that I’ve been to some of the nicer, bigger churches in all of England, so why stop now? St. Giles was very nice like the rest of the chapels I’ve been to. However, all of them are just slightly different in a few major ways and this makes them all really special. One thing I loved was the different stained glass, the kind of which I’d never really seen before. I’m not sure how it was that much different but it was, maybe more browns than I’m used to seeing but very nice. The main tower was also a “crown” tower which is what it sounds like. IT was really cool to see and again something I hadn’t seen before. They had a huge organ too. My time spent in there was very nice and I took my time and soaked it all in. I’m trying to take my time at a lot of these places just cause you don’t see these things in the states and it’s easy to sort of get bored with churches, even though they’re awesome, you just get numb to them after a while. I’m trying to not let that happen by just taking my time and really enjoying these places, sitting down and just chilling for 15 mins, I think it’s a good thing.
At this point the time was about 3ish and I know that most of the touristy stores closed at 5. Although I still wanted to see the national gallery and maybe Holyrood palace, I thought I should proly get my shopping done frist and see what sort of time I had left. I can’t really say much about what I bought cause they’re mostly presents for other people. I can say that I did buy a kilt! I’m not sure when I’ll wear it or whwere but for £40 for what I think as a quality kilt, I think it’s worth it. The tartan is Grant Modern Hunting, I think. It has mostly dark green and black with little stripes of red and yellow thrown in, I like it a lot. I also got some socks, so now I’m ready to use it for…whatever. All the rest of what I got was really awesome too and I’m really excited to send it all away and give the stuff out to people. The only problem that I see now is that I’ve seriously bought so much stuff that I’m not sure how I’m going to get it all home! I think I’ll send some of it with my quilt, but I’m hoping I have room for it all. I’m sure I proly will in the long run, hell I’ll make it work one way or another.
After this I went back to the hotel to drop the stuff off and recharge my batteries a little. Traveling does take it out of you, no joke. After a while I went for dinner, a pint, and the Champions league in a pub on the royal mile, all good stuff. That took me up to night time and bed, I had another early start cause I knew I wanted to do the national gallery before I left Scotland around noonish, so I needed to make the most of my time. Until next time