It's been a while...

So this has been a crazy last week. It started off that I was really busy and ended up with what I like to call the Plaguette. I'll try to remember everything but I have my doubts as I still have some of the plaguette in me.

So last Wednesday was my day of discovery, I tried some new things including Haggis, which by the way is amazing, then some Scottish beer. In the morning before the beer and haggis, we saw some girls wander down a path and decided to go up it to see what was there. This is Calton Hill for anyone who knows the area. At the top of the hill is a pillar structure that was started as a copy of the ones in Athens but never got finished. There is also a big tower which may be called the Russel Tower but don't quote me on it. The scenery from the hill is great. That's one of the great things about Edinburgh, if your willing to take the time, you can have a free and quite magnificent view of the city.
For dinner we went to Deacon Brodies Tavern, which is named after the man who allegedly is the inspiration for Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. That's quite an interesting story. But one to save for another day. We also went on a ghost tour down into the dark depths of the vaults in the heart of Edinburgh. My little sister would have loved it, unfortunately for the group of us who went we thought it was more funny and entertaining then scary. Oh well I like hearing all the stories, and seeing all the parts of Edinburgh.

Thursday was recovery day from all the Scottish beer we drank. We even tried Cider, which I recommend to no one. EWWWWWW.

Friday we went on a Haggis tour, it was a one day tour into the Highlands. We saw 2 lochs (and learned how to pronounce the work loch), one of the lochs was Loch Tay, and I can't remember the other. We saw some awesome scenery as we got into the highlands. There is actually a bumpy part of road that you go over as you cross from the lowlands to the highlands. Our tour guide Ewan was awesome and almost talked the entire time. Despite the fact that we keep going on tours that may tell the same story, we always get different variations which adds to the mystery. I got some really amazing pictures in the highlands and we saw some great sites, I can't wait to get further up to see Loch Ness and the Island of Skye.

On Saturday we got the ultimate view of the city. It took some climbing but it was well worth it. Our goal was to climb up to Arthur's seat, this is a volcano that is over 1000 feet high. Things started off alright until we realized that we'd climbed the wrong mountain. Nonetheless it was quite a view. So down we went and up the other, from far away it looks as though they are connected but they are not. Now from the way that we went, which because we went from the way of the other mountain was not the proper way, was a bit difficult. Getting to the very top is a bit of a thrill, as it is pretty steep, and the path is not all that proper. But worth it all the same.
We were surprised how busy it was and how many kids we running, yes running, around up there. While we were worried about falling over the edge people were practically having picnics up there. Dogs were dashing all over, one man was even carrying a newborn. It was great.
On the way down we passed the ruins of an old church. Being so high up, going to church really was a hassle, no wonder attendance was low. From there we went to the bottom and took a nice walk around the pond, where there were ducks and swans. It was all very pretty.

Sunday is when the plaguette hit, I could feel it coming on but I tried to deny it. Sunday, and Monday especially, there was no denying it. Monday was the worst of it, I woke up and I could barely breathe, I spent the night trying to find a position that would not make me start having a coughing fit. Needless to say I spent most of the night having a coughing fit. I took a dead day Monday, and unlike Cheryl who has had the plaguette going on 2 weeks now, I seem to be getting over it.

Today, Tuesday, we went on a free walking tour with Haggis. We just went around the city, hearing more stories about the history, and extended versions of ones we'd already heard. A book I'm really interested in getting now is on the stone of destiny, and all the myths behind it. It is quite an interesting stone!! Well not the one on display at least, but the real one. That's a story for another day though isn't it.

We finally start work tomorrow. We'll be getting our uniforms. That's still about all we know. Hopefully we'll know more after tomorrow. Hopefully.