Scotland's Ghetto
Day Two in Scotland: We all take the bus to Edinburgh to spend an overcast day of shopping and looking around the city on our own. Half of the group goes their way and the other half goes another. Six of us go shopping, walking around seeing the beautiful sites. As we're walking along we see steps going up this beautiful path, so we go up there. Turns out it was a grave yard with a wonderful view of the city. Also I saw a grave stone that said Paxton on it, which is weird coz their English and it's my mother's maiden name. Then we walk along another path and it goes up a hill that over looks the city and country side and there are no words to describe how BEAUTIFUL!! Also I got a picture with this guy in our group that I'm kinda really starting to like. But the problem with the picture is that it's on someone else's camera, so I totally NEED to get that from her.
Ok after a long day of shopping and having my first Cosmo drink we're going to take the bus back to Dalkeith, where we're staying. We're going along and then we realize that we missed our stop so we had one of the group members ask the driver what we should do: get off the bus and get on another or should we stay on and wait til he goes back to Dalkeith. He tells us to get off and get on another bus coz if we stayed it would be 40 minutes til we were in the right direction. So we get off the bus in Mayfield. As we're walking we're joking that it's the ghetto of Scotland, but the houses were nice til we got to the bus stop. But before we got to the bus stop we saw a bus and we were saying "bet that's our bus that we need." And sure enough it was our bus so we had to wait like a half hour for the next one. Plus it's 9:30 at night, but looks like 7:30-8 O'clock and there's this group of kids walking towards us and didn't think anything of it til there was people coming out of their houses behind us: out of now where and then a yelling fight broke out and we didn't know what the hell was going on! It was pretty scary, but now that it's done and over with I can laugh about it. Oh and the next bus that we were waiting on it turns out it was the same driver, but he was nice and didn't charge us. So the moral is STAY ON THE BUS!!!
*From June 9, 2007
The Ceilidh
Today we went back to Edinburgh for a city tour. That was a lot of fun seeing the city and the beautiful structures that are well over a hundred years old! Most of our time spent was the tour, then the Edinburgh Castle. The castle was a lot of fun, but not as much fun as the Queen's palace. But the castle had a spectacular view of the city, better than the view from the hill yesterday. (But the hill was more of the country side than the city). Then after we were done at the castle we went to get something to eat and then on to a Ceilidh (kay-lee), which is a Scottish dance. OMG it was a TON of fun!!! I danced even though I didn't know what the hell I was doing. But I also got to see some formal Scottish dancing and here a bag pipe player!! It was a lot of fun!!
*From June 9, 2007
Rosslyn Chapel
Today we went to the Rosslyn Chapel, where part of the movie The Da Vinici Code was filmed. The chapel was beautiful! There are no words to describe how gorgeous it was!! Also the country side that surrounded the chapel was awesome. The hills so green and looking at the tops of the trees because you're on top of a hill. Also near the chapel was the remains of a castle that used to be there. So I walked down with the boys, so I was the only girl, wink wink! It was fun we climbed up to the top of the castle and I made it up and back down without dying! LOL. Then later after we got back to the house took a break then Matt, (my crush that I'm trying to get with coz he's the perfect man for me!), took a walk around the grounds and stopped at the bridge. The bridge is so thick and and high that I could barley see over it. So we sat on top of the bridge and just talked about all kinds of different things, family, what we like to do, places we've been to, ect. It started to get a little chilly and Matt was wearing a T-shirt and was getting goose bumps, so I scooted in next to him to warm him up! It was soo romantic, least on my part. Coz later we came back and watched a movie with some other girls, and he didn't sit next to me. Also he's been including me in little things like going to the computer lab and eating dinner with the girls. Not going to dwell on it, but some advice would be nice. Can't wait to see what tomorrow holds when I go to help out in an elementary school, which is located in the town where we got lost in!!!! SAVE ME, lol!
*From June, 10, 2007
First Day in the School
Today was our first day in our school placements. I was soooo nervous because I had the school in the town where we got lost in. But I got on the bus and the driver helped me find the school and as I was walking to the school I became even more nervous because the school looked like something out of a ghetto! But once I was inside it was a lot different: more color and very welcoming. Everyone was very nice to me and the children loved having me in their classroom.
I was in what they call Primary 4/5 which is 10 year olds or our 3rd grade. The children welcomed me and were very excited to meet me coz I'm from America. They had tons of questions like "What are your buildings and cars like?" I was telling them about words that I thought were strange coz they have a different meaning like rubber. Here a rubber is an eraser, but as we know it's condoms. The children beg me to tell them what it was in America, but I wasn't sure if I should and they asked their teacher to tell them, but she said to ask me, then I said I don't know if I should and they ask the teach if I could and she said yes so I told them and they didn't think if was that big of a deal! They just bushed it off like I told them it meant a car! I thought that was really weird that they are all so open with their sexuality, where we are more private about it. It was such an awesome day. I was told by a couple of the girls that I had a nice accent.
Another thing before I go is the schools are so different here then at home. In the classroom I was in the teacher didn't really teach anything she had the children take out their books and get to work. The children would walk around once in a while. Some of the students would have group work to do outside the room so I went with the children that had to practice the recorder (clarinet like instrument) and then there were three boys that had trouble in reading and writing so they went to a specialist and I observed that as well. Also the children have a snack time before they go outside to play and they only play outside in the morning before school, during break, and during a lunch break. Also the children have to line up outside the school for the teachers to take them in school to start the day. The end of the day is the same the teachers walk them down to the lockers then hold the doors open for them. Another difference I saw was the teachers are not with the students during the breaks or lunch time! All in all it was an awesome day can't wait to see what tomorrow holds.
*From June 11, 2007
Day 2 in School
When I went to school this morning I was a pro at it. I knew what bus to get on and where to get off. Today was less exciting, but still very enjoyable! The children did their work and I took a group of the students to help me with filing their work that they have done over the term. Then in a half an hour we switched. The children are so crazy and energetic! They just keep on talking and it's like they need to run around for a day to get rid of some of that energy. Also today we watch two programs (shows/episodes) about the sun and how to become an astronaut. During the movie I felt myself nod off which is terrible coz I'm suppose to set an example for the kids!! But today it was overcast so that's why I was tired, but didn't feel tired!
*From June 12, 2007
Day 3 in the school
Today was a crazy day. The children were full of the beans today so they were running wild! Plus it didn't help that the teacher had meetings this morning and the children had gym class and singing practice. In gym I got to see my first game of Cricket and their music class was different, all they did was sing along with a CD. Also they had Drama Class which I've never heard of. Drama was ok, the children had to roll play using sentences that were written on the board. I don't know what tomorrow holds but according to my teacher it's going to be another crazy day! Ahh.
Oh and a thing I forgot to mention yesterday is that the boy's toilet was flooded yesterday and today I found out that other things in there were broken as well, like the seats, the sink backed up. It was just crazy that they did that. But it doesn't surprise me coz kids here do that. So the school is looking for the people responsible and it sounds like they are close to finding out who did it and who was involved.
*From June 13, 2007
Day 4 in School
Just when I get the P5/6s down they move me to the P3s, 7 year olds. It was fun and I felt more of the class today than I did in the other coz at the end of the day the teachers have the kids say good afternoon to them, like good bye. Well, this teacher had them say that to me and the other teacher didn't so that was nice. As far as what happened pretty much the same as the other class, wild and crazy kids running around. It was a good day, a little tiring, but still good. Also I'll be with the P3s again tomorrow and tomorrow there's an assembly and every Friday is a half day of school so I'll be getting done earlier! Yahooo and maybe going to Edinburgh with Matt (and some other people maybe).
Last Night
Last night was trivia night at Sam's, a local pub, so everyone, but myself and three other girls, went down there. Soon Matt (not my crush, the hippie one) came in asked if I was going out and I said no I'll just stay in and he's like fine I'll walk by myself. Then I was watching Britain's Got Talent and Cody came in. I thought he went out with everybody and he said that he was just at Sam's and didn't see any one. So he twisted my arm and got me to go down to Sam's. What did it was when he said he'll go if I go. So he was asking me out, never happened before so I took the chance. Then we ran into a couple people from our group and others from the other groups that are staying here too. So Ashley and I were talking and I don't remember how we got on the subject about Matt and I, but basically everyone in the groups knows!!! I guess I was making it a little too obvious. Oh well, coz Ashley said she figured it out when we were in the computer lab that there was something there earlier in the day and she said, "we gotta hook you two up!" OMG! But I'm not sure if he likes me, I mean last night we had to watch Crash for our class and he looked back at me during a sad part and winked. But I'm not sure if his wink is a tick or if he's really doing it coz he does it a lot. OMG if I was dating him that would be AWESOME!!!
*From June 14, 2007
Last Day in School
Today I was with P3 again, but today went MUCH better than yesterday. The children have an assembly every Friday and they go over who had birthdays and give out awards for good behavior or wearing their uniforms. Before I left for the day some of the children made me cards saying how much they enjoyed having me in class and that they're going to miss me. It was soo cute! I liked being in the P3 classroom better coz the children were younger and more interesting (coz I like younger kids) and the teacher was more inviting!
One Thing I Forgot to Write About
I don't think I put this in my other blogs, but Matt and I had a nice moment, just the two of us!!! I was bored and no was around so I went over to Matt's room and I came in sat on his bed and we talked for a while! Then he went across the hall to get his reimbursement from Jill for going to the Edinburgh Castle. While he was gone I was looking through his magazine that he had, Men's Health. OMG it's just like the Comso for women. "How to make her hot" "Winking is Sexy" stuff like that! So I was laying on his bed looking at this and then he came in and kinda laid by me and we were talking and I was wearing my mint green top with the the pink tank to go under and my girls were showing just a bit. I'm such a slut! And I noticed him looking there a couple of times! Giggles! But other than talking nothing else happened he kicked me out so he could take a nap and I SO wanted to say "I'll take one with you." But I didn't and I'm not sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing? Probably good since we really haven't known each other that long. But I would LOVE to ask him out but I'm too chicken and we've only known each other for a minute! But damn he's sooo sweet, nice, and cute!!!!
*From June 15, 2007
MacBackpackers Weekend
This weekend was a lot of fun. I went on a country side tour of Scotland! The country side is so beautiful that there are no words to describe it. Our tour guide, Dave, he was freakin' hilarious! He would tell us about the history of Scotland and some jokes to go along with it. It was a bunch of fun.
Saturday we left Edinburgh at 9 am in the morning and we traveled up to Lock Ness where the Lock Ness Monster is, oooo. Along the way we saw this bridge that was built in 1890 and is still standing to this day. It looks like it's made out of steel and it's pretty cool. Then at our first stop we stopped at this church in Dunkeld. The church was just like the Rosslyn church, so beautiful that there's no words to describe it. Also there was a field next to the church that had sheep so we got some pictures of the sheep. Then on the other side there was a river with beautiful purple flowers that remind me of Bekah coz they're purple and pretty like her. Also at this stop Dave showed us how the Highlanders wore their kilts. So he had a volunteer and the volunteer was Matt (Vince). It was funny coz Dave said this will probably be the only time you have another man dress you. Then on the walk back to the bus we saw this store called Going Pottie, it sells pots for flowers, but if it sold toilets that would be hilarious!
Then our next stop was in this park, more like a national park/forest. That was another beautiful spot. It reminded me of the forest in Seattle that I visited. Pretty trees and waterfall, but it was freezing! It was so cold during this day that it was a good thing that we were getting back on a warm bus! I'm glad I had sweat pants for this coz crop pants wouldn't have cut it. I almost broke out the gloves, it was that cold!
On the road again to our next stop which was The Edradour, the smallest distillery in Scotland. We took a tour there and found out how they make whisky along with trying some. OMG that was some good whisky especially the chocolate like one that I can't say coz it's in french. But damn that was some good stuff.
Then we went to a battle field which was ok, interesting but a little boring and by then it was raining and we were getting into the highlands. Then finally after the battle field we made it to Lock Ness! Dave was trying to get us to go swimming, but it was damn cold man there was no way I was gonna do that. Especially when I have to wear the same pants again! Got some cool pictures of the lake and put my hand in, but didn't see Nessie. Might have been sleeping, lol. Then it was on ward to the hostel. After we got settled in we went out to dinner with Dave, but the place he took us to had the same menu as the Blacksmith Ridge in Dalkeith so everyone left except me. I stayed there with the rest of the tour group and Dave. Dave is a funny man! The stories that he has are just soo funny and crazy! Like he had to drive these Russian Mafia guys around once and his travels with this guy and his crazy girlfriend. Then after dinner I went with him to a pub called Hootenannies (not sure if that's the spelling) to hear some music. Really good music I had so much fun. Then when I got back to the hostel I got so much shit from the girls coz I was out with Dave. One Dave has a girlfriend and two I doubt he'd go for me. But I told them that they were jealous coz I got the Scotsman and they didn't lol.
Next day we got up none of a us showered, it was like we were camping and really roughing it! Basically the highlights of Sunday was the mountains were a lot of films were filmed and the William Wallace Monument, which we didn't go it coz it wasn't worth €6 so we walked up and that was quite a walk up hill. The girls were complaining, but I was loving it coz it was a good replacement for my bike. Then the movie location mountains were BEAUTIFUL and when you see the pictures you'll know what I mean. Here's the films that were filmed there: Braveheart, Harry Potter, Monty Python and the Quest for the Holy Grail, and I think there was others but I can't remember. Also near that area was were Higrid's house was for the Harry Potter films. They had to take it down since there were so many problems of people looting. Then after the Wallace Monument it was back to Edinburgh and that was the end of our journey and it was a TON of fun!!!
*From June 18, 2007
Drinking & the Next Day
Last night us girls decided to go out since we lived through the Lock Ness weekend with MacBackpackers and get totally wasted! And let's say that I was sooo wasted!!! I was crazy! It was a fun night, but at the same time it was a sad night. While walking home from the pub two of the girls in my group that walked me home told me the truth about my crush. They told me that there was no chance between us and that he doesn't like me that way and was a little uncomfortable coz basically everyone in the group knew about me liking him! So after I left the girls and went up stairs I cried and I hadn't cryed that hard since Bekah died. I was so mad at myself coz I pushed it and made this fantasy in my mind and made a mountain out of a mole hill. Then later the girls I drank (not walked with) came back from where they were and found me in the bathroom where I was thinking about throwing up. Then I started crying again! I pretty much made a fool out of myself! When I woke up this morning I felt so embarrassed that I acted like that and how I went out on a lim with my feelings about a crush! I've never done that and I'm NEVER doing it again! I think another reason I was crying is coz of this question "am I attractive?" or "will someone ever like me?" I don't know the answer to those questions, but I wished they would be answered soon.
But I'm not letting this trash my trip so his loss and today was a semi good day. Other than breaking my new sunglasses that I got before I left and my wallet it was a good day! We went for a walk in the woods that are near the house and we were out there for two hours lost! It was kinda funny and scary at the same time. The trails we were on had so many dead ends that we didn't know where we were. And one of them lead us to a field with cows and everyone was too scared to continued so I walked up to see if there was a trail there and there wasn't so we hopped the fence, but the other girls were to chicken. I mean come on they're cows they're not going to do anything if you don't bug them! Chicken Shits! Well, we made it back and we're all fine and we go to see some beautiful trees and waterfalls. I wish I had my camera coz it was pretty. Hopefully tomorrow Aron will go with me to Castle Doune where Holy Grail was filmed, if not I guess that'll be ok there's lots to do in Edinburgh and more the reason to come back to Scotland.
*From June 18, 2007
287 Steps!!!
*From June 19, 2007
Ireland
Then today wasn't that great not much to report expect that we're in a big city in Ireland and I'm not really impressed. We walked around but it was like walking down Michigan Ave. in Chicago. I can't wait til our tour tomorrow so I'll get to see the country side.
Oh I forgot to talk about our flat. It's so cool we're staying at the Cork University dorms and they're nicer than Red Cedar! Each flat has 4 or 5 room, each have their own bathroom, then there's one kitchen with oven and stove, and dishes, and a little living room. It's pretty sweet. Also the shower was an experience let me tell you. I turned it on and it flooded my bathroom coz it was on full blast and had a big area where the water was. Then while in the shower I nearly drowned coz this little tiny shower with tons of water everywhere it was a little hard to find a spot where there was no water. Then I figured out that I need to turn the shower down so I did then I was good and I was leading against the wall and touched the pipe where the you turn the shower on and I burnt my arm a little coz that fucker was hot! (pardon my french) And it wasn't just me who had this with their shower, minus the burnt arm that was all me. Tomorrow I'll know what to do!
*From June 21, 2007
lol oh cat. hahaha sounds like you had a good time. i was bored so i read them all.. hahahahah so funny! :P - Briana
ReplyDelete