Blogs from Scotland, United Kingdom, Europe - page 473

Well... can't put photos on this time either cos Alaya has the camera under lock and key (literally)... But since my last entry I have got myself a job in the Caledonian Brewery (starting tomorrow!) worked nightshift in a newspaper factory, served rich people in a fine dining restaurant, spent the last of my money and booked tickets with Ash to go to London next weekend for musical purposes! Ash and I have started playing music again (in the stairwell of the hostel!) and we're heading to down to hopefully meet up with the manager/producer/important dude who gave me offerings of good fortune... bahh! time is out.... shmeh... hopefully photos soon.... read more

His skin was like leather. He wore the tattered remains of what might have been a sleeping bag. His most distinguishing feature was a two foot long, one foot wide matt of hair, resembling the tail of the North American Beaver. It is unlikely that this particular Scot had ever seen a beaver, making the resemblance a phenomenon. Three years ago in late July the man had approached three naive Canadian tourists on the streets of Edinburgh to ask for spare change. He felt akin to the three because they too had terribly out style hair cuts. Today... His beaver tail swayed happily in the light breeze, basking in the autumn sun. a fleeting glance. A passerby. A familiar face. It was him, The naive Canadian with the formerly awkward haircut. Fate had brought them together ... read more

I met a random stranger last night (well, not that random, I s'pose... she is a fellow couchsurfer) and she just happens to be the coolest person in Edinburgh! I spent most of yesterday wandering aimlessly up and down the Royal Mile- a road in the middle of the old part of town leading to the castle, lined with hunreds of ancient imposing gothic buildings. That in itself was pretty incredible, but then at about 5 o'clock I got a text message from a strange number asking if I wanted to go for a drink. Not having anything to do or anywhere to go for the next few hours, I agreed and went and waited in a pub and read my book (I'll be so glad to finish that bloody thing, but anyway...). Then out of ... read more

So remember when I mentioned those research seminars that all go to the pub after the building staff kicks them out of their seminar room? I went to my first one on Wednesday -- it was one of the coolest things I have ever done. I went to the talk given by Cassandra Pybus -- which was completely amazing. She's from the University of Tazmania, but her focus (currently) is slaves who went over to the British side during the American Revolution, and where they subsequently went when they were granted their freedom. From what I heard about the topic, I am going to get the book as soon as it comes out, and I would suggest you all read it too -- its called Epic Journeys. Forthcoming... So while she was giving her little speech, ... read more

Someone finally gave Buff correct information about the Dr. Who Museum. It's in Blackpool, England and rather than stop in Liverpool we are going to Blackpool. Little did we know how popular a town it is, especially on a weekend. It's a seaside resort town sort of like Santa Cruz or Venice Beach times 100! Shops to buy everything and anything. Beach and wharfs along the Western coast of England. Hotel after hotel, and B&Bs, self-catering cotttages - 3,500 of them it turns out. Restaurant after restaurant. Even it's own version of the Eiffel Tower. We walked and walked and walked and walked and walked and walked (we had a map of the town center that we never even got to) but finally heard that distinctive music of Dr. Who. We made it! Had to drag ... read more