(I suck at this)

The second day in Scotland was a bit rainy and cold but still enjoyable. We started the day off by going to the botanical gardens which was an adventure. We got there and there were these dodgy mats that you had to step on in order to disinfect your feet because there was some new form of tree cancer or something. We were all a little scared and vowed not to step on the grass as that was how the disease was spread. We couldn't go into any of the bigger greenhouses without paying so we just wandered around for the most part. It was gorgeous there but a little cold and rainy so we headed inside to a cafe where I had the best fruit tart I have ever had in my life. LIFE. I'm drooling thinking about it....mmm....

So then we headed down to the Edinburgh Castle and walked around in there for awhile. It was just amazing to be in something so historically important. I stood in the same room as Oliver Cromwell!!! OLIVER CROMWELL!!! Ok, calm again. I got a little terrified when we went in this tower and there were all of these wax people. Those freak me out hardcore. Jena was my savior in that tower and let me hold onto her so I wouldn't pass out. Someone was rubbing my back too but I'm not sure who it was because I had my eyes closed haha. Thanks to whoever was touching me, hopefully I know you.....yowza!

After that we kinda just walked around and shopped some more...Ben wanted to go back to the cheese shop....we all had bread and cheese for lunch. well, for me just bread. We went to a few parts of town off the beaten path and explored the new town a little. We found a little park sandwiched in between these two buildings and hung out there awhile. It was so cold that we all bought scarves to wear! :) I also bought the most rediculous plaid golf hat which made its way into many many pictures but sadly got lost somewhere along the way. I bought so much stuff that day because I was so in love with Edinburgh by that point....so much money spent :)

All of us met up that night and went out to dinner together which was so much fun. We were surprised that Garfunkels had enough room for us all :) We all ordered different things and went a little spending crazy since it was one of our last nights out. I bought some wine to go with my enchiladas and both were not so great tasting. I'm not much of a wine drinker I guess. Maybe red wine will taste better? We also ordered pretty much all of the desserts offered which were all fantastic!! I stayed around with some folks to chat and then we headed back to the hostel. I might have drank almost an entire bottle of raspberry schnapps while hanging out there and then we all just went to bed....it was a bit lame. Story of my life.

Day three was probably one of the greatest days of my life and I will remember it forever. We boarded a bus that would take us to the Highlands and despite listening to horrible new age disco music and playing endless hours of 20 questions, I had so much fun. Our first stop was to see Hamish the cow which was so much fun. We got to feed the giant beast....their cows look nothing like the cows we have here. There is a video that will be on Youtube sometime in the near future. I also had a fantastic rice krispie treat with fudge on top....fantastic.

We were on the bus for awhile taking in the beautiful scenery and passed through many cute little towns with old castles (including the one Monty Python was shot in!) We stopped off at this little cafe/sandwich store and bought a sack lunch. (I bought a loaf of the best banana bread ever.) Then we got off the bus and walked through this field which led us to the most gorgeous little castle in the middle of these huge mountains and a lake. We ate lunch in this old castle that was sort of crumbling with age and loved every second of it. There were a lot of little flies all around but I think that was due to the massive amount of sheep poop outside the castle. I can't really describe the beautiful landscape because it would be impossible to do. There are plenty of pictures on facebook that you can look at...I wish I could go back to that moment forever it was so pretty.

We drove around on the bus some more and then went to visit another castle that was actually inhabited. It was pretty cool to see where a real Duke lives. There were even these round rooms on the corner that could only be entered by opening the wall. I need a secret room. There were too many weapons in that place but other than that it was gorgeous and way fab. Andi and I loved it :)

After that we just went back to the hostel and split up for dinner. After spending so much money downtown Julie, Beth, Kimmy, and I decided to buy food and cook it at the hostel. What an experience :) We had the best dinner and followed it up with some time on the beach.

Moments I spent on that beach reflecting on life were some of the best of my life. I think that those moments made me a better person and I feel like a better person even now. Gah! I love Scotland. I think that any time that I need to center I will think back on those moments on the lake. Life doesn't get better than that.

The rest of the night was spent at the hostel pub which was pretty fun if I do say so myself. Some people had a little too much fun and played twister but for the most part everyone was just having a great time and loving life. I will remember it forever :) Especially Aaron doing the stairs behind the pool table. Love it.