London- Home Sweet Home

Can you keep a secret?  Good.  I think I could happily live in London again.  Don’t tell my mom!  I was so thrilled to be able to go back to some of my favorite places and relive some of the best moments of my life. I didn’t get to spend nearly enough time there yet but I will definitely be going back.

The weekend in London was because of a meeting with Fulbright, but we made sure to include some other fun as well.  I was lucky enough to be able to go up early to stay at Stephanie’s house in Brixton and hang out with her and Natalie.  After a bit of drama on the train line with a fire to the north of me I was finally on my way there.  I met a nice British woman who was stuck because of the fire too so I was able to chat with her and find other places to visit during my year here.  She thought I was  Australian, which I found interesting, but apparently some of them find our accents similar.

At the train station I was waiting for Natalie who had an even harder time getting a working train.  I decided to wander around and what did I find?  A Pret!  Now most of you have no clue what I am talking about, but for those who do, you understand. But I decided I would wait for my perfect sandwich until I could really enjoy it.  (I may have gone over and they didn’t have the one I wanted) 

After a night of catching up and an incredibly comfortable sleep on the blow up bed we were ready to go and see a bit of the city.  Covent Gardens, Trafalgar Square, Big Ben!  Yay! 

Friday night we all got dressed up and went to the American Embassy for the Fulbright gathering.  Because of the recent problems at other American Embassies we had to sneak into the back to avoid the protest at the front of the building.  Everyone was extremely kind about the situation and laughed with us as we pretended to be someone special with extra security.  It was a good night with free food and drinks and alumni to share their advice.  Sadly cameras are not allowed and I have been sworn to secrecy about what is truly inside.  Sorry. 

Saturday all of the Fulbright teachers in England got together to discuss our experiences so far.  We were able to talk to three alumni and two people from the British Council.  It was a beautiful day in London and I was ready to stop talking and start having more fun.  That night we had tickets to an amazing show down on the embankment.  It was a 1920 style cabaret called Wonderground.  I was amazed and nervous during most of the show.  There was tight rope walking (in heels!) and acrobats and some very strange stuff that I can’t quite describe.  It was fantastic.  

Sunday I decided to talk a walk down memory lane before I had to head back to Hull.  It was raining of course, but I didn’t let that stop me.  I started at Covent Garden, went to Leister Square, walked to Oxford Street, my old house, Regents Park, then down to the train station.  I was soaked!  I had to change before I could imagine sitting on a train for three hours.  Sadly it was time to say goodbye to London.  But don’t you worry I will be back!

The Queen and Aberdeen

There is no sense in traveling all the way to the UK without finding a way to see the Queen.  Luckily my Fulbright friends and I did just that.  Since I hadn’t been to Scotland in about two weeks another trip was in order.  So once again it was onto the train to head out.  I am now too afraid of missing a train so I have learned to leave early.  Unfortunately this meant leaving my house at 5:30 in the morning because I had a very early train to catch.  And the night before just happened to be my birthday so I had to make sure to be a good girl.  The ride was good and I was even able to join Natalie half way there.  We were definitely entertaining the Scots around us as they mocked our accents and taught us how to find out if a Scottish man is a true Scotsman!  I will let you use your imagination on that one.

We had some time to kill and were happy to see that our station was attached to a mall and plenty of shopping.  I had to hop into Paperchase to check out all the stationary and had flash backs of spending hours wandering the store in London with TOJ.  Soon Niki was there to pick us up so we could go find Stephanie after her long adventure that day.  Driving around that weekend was absolutely beautiful.  I was fairly sure we were in the middle of a movie scene as we weaved around the bends and saw endless hills and views that take your breath away. 

After a night of catching up and talking about our newest adventures we got up early to head to the Highland Games.  We were there in plenty of time to relax and walk around and of course to eat some delicious food.  In the center of the field multiple areas were set up for the games.  It made me think of playing Wii with my family and the games that I am pretty awful at.  Watching it in person (with real people) was quite entertaining.   And the fact that they were all in kilts was even better!  My absolute favorite was the caber toss.  I am so amazed at how it took six men to position the caber, but only one to lift it and fling it across the field.  Ok maybe they didn’t fling it, but they sure did try to.  I learned that to get the best score you have to have the caber actually flip in the air and the straighter that it lands the better your score.  I was just baffled the entire time. 

Is it going to make it?!

Since this was the best event of the day it was also the time the Queen was there.  She pulled up in true style as her car followed by several others rolled up onto the field.  She sat politely and watched for a bit before heading out again.  Our group had the inside scoop from the driver so we knew when to run out and stand by the railing to see her leave.  We had an amazing spot as the Queen drove past smiling and waving the whole way.  I was seriously within feet of the Queen of England!  She is just adorable.  Prince Charles and Camilla were there as well, but I was not nearly as excited to see them. 

Doesn't she look happy?

Oh but the worst part of the day was when I was viciously attacked!  Yes viciously!  At this point I am going to say that it was by a million scorpions, but I am guessing it was actually a wasp.  As Stephanie, Natalie, Niki and myself were leaving the bathroom I felt a pinch on my neck.  Then another and another and soon it felt like knives stabbing me repeatedly.  I ripped my hoodie off in a slight panic and went to have the girls check it out.  Being the tough girl I am I held in my screams, but was shaking because, well because it really freakin hurt!  It didn’t help matters that we found our way to the pharmacy and the lady behind the counter took a look at my neck and ran out of the building to find the real pharmacist.  My neck had started to swell and the pain was not going away.  I got some meds and then went and won a small bottle of scotch.  Too bad I don’t drink scotch because I bet that would have eased the pain a lot faster.  For the rest of the day I was a bit jumpy when anything went toward my neck.  Personally I think if something hurts that much it needs to look REALLY painful because the tiny dots on me were clearly not enough.  The next day they had turned to bruises and sadly I have no pictures of my vicious attack. 

In the end it was a very exciting day and I was really happy to meet up with other Fulbrighters and talk.  I can now check a few more things off the bucket list.  And I even saw a hairy cow.  And don’t tell me that all cows are hairy, but Highland cows are special hairy cows.  I didn’t get a picture, so I guess that means another trip to Scotland is in order.  Bummer…

Two questions to keep in mind:

Are you true?

Are you worthy?

The Lake District

After leaving Scotland it was time to take a few trains and head to Low Bentham and Tessa's house.  The journey began as normal when we boarded our first train and the view was amazing!  Miles of gorgeous English country side were like a bright green quilt as we rode on.  Our final train on the other hand was not as gorgeous.  It started with us coming up to the smallest train platform I have ever seen!  We then had to figure out a way to get to the other side since there was no bridge and we were a bit worried to jump down on the tracks.  We soon found that you had to walk through the parking lot, up and around on the rode and across the top that way (in the rain of course).  It was hilarious.  The train we rode the rest of the way on was truly an old fashioned rickety wonder.  It clanked and groaned and at times felt like it wasn't attached to the car in front of it.  But we all made it safe and sound!

Tiny train station

We all decided a drink was in order and went to a local pub.  People watching was great as an extremely drunk woman at the bar was providing a nice show and the father of the year was drinking as his child played hide and seek outside of the pub by herself.  Then we went and met up with two other Fulbrighters and had a fun catching up.  

The next day all of us went to Aysgarth Falls.  It was absolutely beautiful and we enjoyed walking to all of the different falls.  Scenes from Robin Hood were filmed in parts of the falls so I spent some time trying to find Kevin Coster just in case he might still be hanging around.  

We thought it was funny that the Americans were the only ones who paid

After the falls we went to a nearby castle to see if I really want to be a princess some day.  We had to take the quick tour since we were a bit late in arriving, but we were able to find all the fun it had to offer.  Natalie and I really enjoyed the old style toilets!  Sadly there were no doors to give us any privacy but we managed.  The view from the top was amazing and gave us all a chance to have a good wind blown castle pic.  

There was also an extremely difficult hedge maze that Natalie and I decided we better give a try.  Luckily Rebecca was nearby to help us as we were hopelessly lost.  

Where do I go??

In the end I decided I would love to be a princess, but I think I want my castle to have a roof.  And maybe running water.  

The next day we head to the Lake District.  Now this could be the most beautiful place I have ever been.  Rebecca did a great job researching an amazing hike and we didn't let the rain scare us.  Fortunately for us everyone else did.  Our guided hike turned into a private tour with just the four of us, the two guides, one of their husbands and a dog.  We were definitely not prepared since most of us only had tennis shoes instead of actual hiking boots.  The mud was great fun!  During the hike there were only a few times it rained and then the weather cleared up and the view was unbelievable.  At the top we sat down and had some well deserved PBJ's and a rest.  Our guide was great at teaching us on the way and loved mocking the silly American girls as we sang songs and stopped every few seconds to take pictures.  This was a very successful day!  

Even the picture can't do it justice!

Let the traveling begin!

Deciding not to give myself too much time to get settled in I spent about a day in Hull before heading out to see the sights.  I was very lucky to get to go to my school right away and meet several of the teachers and go on a tour and then pack again and head out.  Sadly I was not as prepared as I should have been and missed my very first train!  Yes, this was not good.  Luckily the man felt bad for the poor lost American girl and gave me a bit of a break.  After a few train changes I was finally on my way to Scotland to  meet up with a few other Fulbrighters.  Seeing a familiar face at the train station and all the craziness of the morning went away and I was ready to have some fun.

Yay bus tour!

We all started in Bathgate where I met up with Christy, Natalie, Stephanie, Niki and Tessa.  The first night four of us went over to Edinburgh to the Fringe Festival.  We had a few pints and then went to a comedy show.  The city is filled with shows all over in any possible theater or room.  The show we went to was a free show with two stand up comedians.  I will just say that I am glad we didn't pay to get in.

Holyrood Palace

Edinburgh is an amazing city with so much to see that you can't possibly fit it all in in a day.  Trying to do our best several of us went on a hop on hop off bus tour.  We were extremely lucky to have wonderful weather and were able to sit on top of the bus and take pictures and enjoy the view.  We got off to tour Holyrood Palace and learned about it's history as well as the dark past of murders and conspiracy that were hidden within.  The best part was walking through the abbey ruins behind the palace and taking some time to play with the settings on my new camera!

After the palace we hopped back on the bus and saw other sites including Parliament, the Britannia, several parks and more.  We decided to end the day with a whiskey tour.  What else would you do in Scotland?!  Now unfortunately I don't really enjoy whiskey, much to both of my brothers' dismay, but I did have a great time.  We rode around in barrels and learned about the process of making the best whiskey around.  What a successful day in Edinburgh!

Not even close to all the whiskey in the collection.

Hmmm coincidence... 

My next wine project!

We all had a great time and ended with a nice picnic at Christy's while talking about everything we were looking forward to in the year to come.

I'm a bit of a laid back guard.  

The Adventure Begins

Well now it is really time to get things started but let's take a quick recap of the arrival.  My plane was not great but did the job of getting me here.  It was much smoother than the ride I had into Denver a few weeks ago yet the guy in front of me didn't handle it well and puked all over!  Thank goodness it was when the plane landed and we were able to get off.  

 I was so excited to be greeted by Henry's dad and to have a great breakfast and tour as we drove to Hull.  I am learning already!  

I got to my new home and it is great.  The house is very spacious and close to lots of things to do.  The best part is that I have my very own Fulbright alumni tour guide!  Sarah has been extremely nice and makes sure that I am not having any panic attacks.  We took a walk and looked at what is around, got a sim card for my phone and had my first Strongbow of the trip.  Ahhhh it takes me back.  I had to start with some delicious fish and chips to make sure I was in the right spot.  Yep, I am.  

The next day we went into town to get a much needed curling iron and check out the shopping.  With the exception of the very quirky man in the piercing shop I am doing a good job of understanding everyone!  I have been told that the people of Hull have a very strong accent.  Let's hope I will catch on.  We followed this up with a nice dinner with some of Sarah's family and a delicious dessert of Bailey's cheesecake. What a great start!  

Next up Scotland and the Lake District...