Goodbye to bonnie Scotland!

Day 69 (5/29 cont.)

I landed a little late in Edinburgh, so AshlyAnn and I just grabbed a quick drink in the hostel bar and caught up on our most recent adventures before heading up to bed.

I know, not super exciting.

Day 70 (5/30)

When we woke up it was a little gray out, so we walked around town for a bit.  I showed Ashly the Royal Mile, and took her to see Greyfriar's Bobby.  Then we hightailed it over to Calton Hill.  Even with the gray skies it was still a brilliant view.

We grabbed some lunch and stopped back at the hostel for a wee kip.  By the time we were up again and ready to go the skies had cleared to a beautiful blue.  It was a great afternoon for hiking, so we went up Arthur's Seat.  The view from the top never seems to disappoint.

Afterwards we headed back to the hostel to meet up for the Edinburgh Pub Crawl.  Seven bars for seven pounds, a free shot or drink at each bar, and a very funny Scottish host.  So much fun!  We met some really fun people and had a blast.  If you're going to Edinburgh, don't miss it.  My wristband is good until the end of the month, so I may just meet you there.

Despite the gray skies, it was still a great view.

My fellow Oregonian traveler!

Only in Scotland.

And in the afternoon: sunshine!

Leaving our mark.

Day 71 (5/31)

I took it easy in the morning with AshlyAnn.  We had breakfast and then found a nice patch of grass on which to enjoy the sunshine.  It was such a beautiful day, I was even able to wear a dress!

In the afternoon we said our goodbyes and I boarded a bus for Glasgow.  As much as I enjoy Edinburgh, I really do prefer Glasgow.  It has a whole different character.

I settled into the hostel and then headed to the other side of town for a comedy night at The Stand.  For just two pounds I saw 10 comedians.  It was brilliant.  Such a good time.  Then I hopped over to Ashton Lane for a pint and some live music in an Irish pub.  It turns out, when you hang out with locals you get to actually see the badass parts of the city.

Unfortunately (or maybe not) I was too busy enjoying myself to take photos.



Day 72 (6/1)

I had a full Scottish breakfast, square sausage and tattie scone included, and met up with a guy called William that I had met in the hostel in Belfast.  We went for a hike down to Devil's Pulpit in Finnich Glen.  It was like frolicking in the land of faeries.

We spent a few hours climbing around and hiking up and down the river.  It turns out William had never heard of this place, so it was fun to show a local something so cool!  We grabbed an early dinner on the way back at this little outdoor restaurant called The Beech Tree.  I'd been craving Mexican food, and it turned out they had chicken fajitas!

Then it was back to the hostel for me.  I met some people at the hostel bar and ended up having a rowdy night out downtown.

Bonnie Scotland.

Oh hi!

My Glasgow buddy, William (or Wully).

There's nothing wrong with getting your feet wet.

Days 73-75 (2-4 June)

I've spent these last few days getting settled in to my new home.  Thursday night we all went out to a bar called The Empire for some live jazz.  The band was a bunch of guys in their late 60's/early 70's with cute little Irish accents, and man could they play.  I know what I'm doing with the rest of my Thursday nights here.

Yesterday I spent a nice relaxing day exploring the city with Fraser.  We wandered around, had a drink in the sunshine, and got some things for communal dinner that night.  Late night we got a group together from the hostel and went to Lavery's to play pool.

Today was laundry day.  The dust is starting to settle and it's finally setting in that I'll be here for a while.  It feels like the end of an era as my constant movement is ending, but it feels good.  I know this is the beginning of something great, and I can't wait to see what this summer holds.  Hopefully a couple of really cool festivals, and loads of really great people!

Even though I'll be stationery for a bit I will still be updating my blog on my hostel living experiences, so make sure you check back!  And if you're coming to Belfast any time soon let me know, I know a great place for you to stay.

A Letter from Belfast

Some of you might know that yesterday afternoon I was meant to board a plane for Iceland.  However, after loads of careful consideration, I threw caution to the wind and cancelled my flight.  I hopped on a ferry from Glasgow to Belfast, and I've landed back at my home away from home, Lagan Backpackers.

I received such a lovely and warm welcome from the staff here upon my return.  I can't believe I'm here, and I'm so incredibly excited to see what comes next!  This has been such an incredible ride so far, and my journey has only just begun.

To my friends and family back home:

Thank you so much for all of your encouragement and support.  I couldn't have made it here without your faith in me.  I miss you all terribly, but you're always welcome to come visit the beautiful country of Ireland, and I'll probably be home soon.

To all of my travel buddies:

Feel free to come see me at the hostel!  We can swap stories since I last saw you, and I'll show you around my new (temporary) home!

To all of my Irish/Scottish/English/Welsh friends:

Come over and visit!  Or I'll come over and visit!  Or we can go somewhere I haven't been yet!

A big thank you to everyone I've met along the way.  I've said it before, but my trip truly would not be the same without your laughter and beautiful smiling faces!  Here's to the next chapter!

Hello from Wrexham!

Day 66 (5/26)

Woke up fairly early to grab breakfast and get all of my stuff together before heading around town to chill out before my flight.  I ended up finding a leprechaun museum, which was pretty cool.  I basically spent an hour listening to an actress tell us Irish fairy tales.  It was so relaxing, and a nice end to my month in Ireland.

Hopped on a plane to Liverpool where Brad and Ryan picked me up and we made the trek up to Brymbo, Wales' second highest town.  I got settled in and then we headed to the pub to meet up with the rest of their crew.  There was a lot of singing and being rowdy, and I had a great time.  They also taught me a new drinking game that I can't wait to bring home.

It was so nice to spend a night in a regular bed.

Coffee, Dublin style.

Playing leprechauns!

Story time.

Dublin airport just gets me.

Oh hi, Wales!

Reunited!

Day 67 (5/27)

Woke up early and Brad made breakfast.  Then a few of us drove out to Mount Snowdon.  It was a beautiful sunny day, and we managed (after a lot of sitting and waiting for Ryan) to make it to the summit.

Snowdon is the tallest peak in Wales, and it's part of a 3 peak challenge.  You climb the tallest mountain in Scotland, the tallest mountain in England, and the tallest one in Wales, all in 24 hours.  Apparently there are people crazy enough to attempt this, but I'm not one of them.

Back at the bottom, Ryan rushed through the gate at the end and claims he came in second in the Snowdon race.  I think the rest of us disagree after spending the day waiting for his ass to get to the top.

We headed back into town for some grub, and then back to the pub for a few drinks.  We called it an early night that night since we were heading to the festival early the next morning.

I had no idea Wales looked like this.

Yeah, I climbed that.  No big deal.

Da Snowdon crew.

Just as cool as Skye.

Made it to the top, and no one died!

The water was so clear you could see straight to the bottom, and boy was it cold.

Day 68 (5/28)

I managed to wake up without a hangover!  Everyone was running late, but no one seemed too worried about it.  We stopped for breakfast (I miss pancakes and waffles, and Mexican food UGH!) and then the store for some supplies.  Mostly beer.

The festival was so fun!  After we set up our campsites we walked over to check out some of the acts.  It was mostly acoustic music, and a lot of covers, but everyone was pretty talented.  Not bad for a tiny music festival in the middle of nowhere.

There was a lot of singing and dancing, and so much beer.  I'm surprised I didn't gain weight.  Apparently there were a lot of shenanigans that went down after I went to bed.  At 29 I've gained enough experience to call it quits when I need to, (most of the time. Okay, sometimes. Occasionally.) or at least I knew enough to do it this time.  I recovered quite quickly in fact, which was good since I had to fly later on.  Being hungover on a plane sounds like a terrible idea.

We spent the rest of the day just relaxing, and tried to watch part of the rugby game between Wales and England.  Ryan dutifully wore his English colors and antagonised all of the Welsh fans incessantly.  It was a good time.

Then I had to say my goodbyes.  This last leg of my trip has been so difficult.  I hate goodbyes, and I've had to say so many, but I know that some of the friendships I've made over these last few months will follow me home and I'm grateful for everyone who has made my trip such a memorable experience.  I wouldn't have it any other way.

Car shenanigans.

Campsite shenanigans.  Also, apparently Brad can't sit still.

The crew, minus Danny.

The aftermath.  Also, I still want that hat.

And on to Scotland we go to say goodbye to Gavin and AshlyAnn.