Firth of Forth

The Firth of Forth - I wasn't clear what that meant all throughout my little boat tour today... BUT I've since figured it out. There is a river called Forth, which flows from the land to the North Sea - the opening (where I was) is an estuary, before the water meets up with the rest of the North Sea. Now, don't you feel smarter? haha...

London to Scotland: Review

This post is an attempt at an abbreviated version of my last week... We'll see. If you have time, I've written about most of the days in detail already, and there are more pictures in the individual posts as well.

Lots of Walking

Every day I am here, reaffirms the importance of having experiences - not just reading/watching them (living vicariously) like I normally do...

Hiking and I have a love-but-mostly-hate relationship.

Linlithgow

Today I was blessed with the opportunity to go to Linlithgow Palace. I even brought my own picnic lunch to enjoy the "Peel" - or royal grounds surrounding the palace.

The palace was built and used in the 1400-1600's by kings all with the name James... Seriously. Anyway, it is now a ruin - but it is a "complete" ruin (minus the roof and some floors...) - it wasn't destroyed by people after they stopped using it, I guess?

Edinburgh

I have been in Edinburgh for a little over a day now and it has been quite the adventure.

When I first got here, I was so overwhelmed... See, when I got to London - I had been basically planning getting there for about a year... so I knew what to do when I got off the plane (plus, London has maps basically everywhere). However, Edinburgh is not London...

Catching Up: Photos

I am now in Edinburgh, Scotland - which is pretty crazy. I did not have time to post yesterday - and I have a lot of pictures from today... so... I am just going to post those and not do much more of a narrative - except for some comments about the pictures. Ok.

Sunday

It was my first Sunday in the Britannia Ward - though technically I am still just 'visiting' since I can't move into my flat till the 27th of September.

Four: Last day of London Pass

Ok.

Today's plan was: go to the Globe Theater (before it closed at 12 pm), then the Churchill War Rooms, and finally to Handel's House. - then a quick grocery run and home before 4:30. Here's what happened instead.

Day Three: Exhausted

Guys, I am so tired. And I am writing this the next morning.

I got home last night and sat on my bed, and then I was asleep... Oops. SO I'm posting a bit late. But here's what I was up to:

Day Two

Day Two was much better.

In summary - I picked up my London Pass, went on part one of a river tour, then the Tower of London, Tower Bridge Exhibition, round two of the river tour, side step to view Parliament and Big Ben (I heard the bell a few times today, but barely missed seeing the bridge open), and then over to church for dinner (no institute the next couple of weeks, but still dinner). Then, I got lost going home but was soon able to find my way.

It started with a free (and actually decent) breakfast at my hotel. I was pleasantly surprised and was given much more food than I could eat.

Then I went in search of my London Pass - I got there too early and had to wait in a little park for almost 45 minutes... and since yesterday was fairly hot, I didn't bring a jacket... but today was fairly cold. Anyway. I found the pass in this little shop, basically in the middle of the road, but down in the basement. And though London is pretty flat, it has LOTS of stairs. They do maximize their space though, that's for sure.

River Cruise part one- Westminster to Tower was really fun, the boatmen are quite funny. And I learned a lot.

Tower of London - was kind of creepy - but my Yeoman Warder tour guide was the first (and only) female warder. Pretty sweet. She was very funny and Mom would have loved her puns. And I learned a lot and not everything we talked about was gross, morbid, or sad. And I saw the crown jewels which were beautiful. And some medieval graffiti, walked along top of the outer wall, traitor gate, etc.

Tower Bridge - lots of walking today... but really fun tour. It showed how the bridge was made and had unique views. And apparently you can look up online when the bridge opens - so I will have to do that sometime. Also I visited the WC in one of the towers, which is fairly unique I would think. Haha...

Back for the rest of the river tour - new guide was just as funny. They claim they aren't guides, they are boatmen, but they were so fun I think they count. They said we passed by Sir Ian McKellen's home with pink deck chairs... and a statue of a man, placed out in the Thames, and then the chef's restaurant - Gordon Ramsay, I think... - And lots of other really cool stuff... Go on the tour...?

Moving on.

Institute dinner was nice - I met a lot of people, unfortunately there were too many so no immediate friends yet, per se, but there is a lot of potential I think.

Then, over confident, and it was dark (though well lit), I turned down the wrong street going home and was completely lost. There was a hotel across from a park, so I walked by it - but naturally it was the wrong park. No worries though, no creepy people or scary feelings - just calm "you can figure this out" - plus London has tons of signs around so I soon found one and was able to find my way back. So now I've had another good adventure.

Ok. I am exhausted... so I will post the pictures below and one day I hope to put the commentary on them because many will not make sense....

Exit signs in England are more dramatic.

Ok I will explain this one. Way in the back there, kind of above the chimney...? You can see a ball on top of a spire - that is Greenwich, and that ball raises every day and then drops to tell the time. The world gets the time from (or used to?) from that ball dropping, so being on the ball means you're on time, caught up, etc. 

Getting There

I have made it to London – and it was certainly an adventure to get there. As this serves as a travel journal, I want to be fairly detailed – but that means you’ll probably be bored reading it. Suffice it to say that after getting lost, on board, airsick, homesick, lost some more, and sick again, all while meeting wonderfully kind people from all over the world, I have made it to the place I am staying in London and am just writing this up before going to sleep. Now you can be on your merry way if you’ve got other things to do.

Still here are you? Good, me too.

Getting to SLC

For some reason, I blame the weather, Mom and I got lost on our drive to the airport. Not to mention how many times we have both been there. The weather was kind of crazy though – almost like a tornado, so we were having a spot of trouble. We couldn’t get off the exit we wanted because of the weather, and all the cars around us being preoccupied with the weather and general driving. So we took an exit that we thought we could do instead, naturally, we could not and we wandered around for almost an hour. Stressful for everyone, (except maybe my youngest brother who was mostly asleep the whole time). We were seriously behind schedule because of this side-adventure - BUT we finally found our way, not too late since I told them my flight left a half hour earlier than it did… slightly deceitful… but it seems justified since we were so late anyway. And I told them about it after we were mostly there and they forgave me.

 

Found this beauty in the Sky Mall. He floats around your pool, singing three traditional Italian songs. Can we get it? Just kidding. Such a fun way to pass the time though. Sorry I can't figure out how to rotate it...

At SLC

We had to say goodbye at the side of the road instead of my family coming in with me – the parking lot was full. It was so sad. Mom was disappointed last time I left for college – she says I wasn’t sad… but I remember being sad so I must not have shown it. Today however, she knew. I got through all the security really quickly – they had told me to be there two hours early but I can’t figure out why.., I was in through security, and at my terminal in 30 minutes or less… BUT it gave me time to calm down – plus we were rather late because we got so lost.

 

Flying to Chicago

Yuck. The flight was not fun. First, I get airsick rather easily – and we had the seatbelt signs on the whole way – lots of turbulence. I was blessed to actually buy a Sprite bottle before the flight though, so I drank that and it helped calm my stomach for the most part. The saddest part was that there was literally a cloud bank from SLC to 30 minutes before Chicago. I couldn’t see anything and I made sure to have the window and everything. My seat buddy was asleep most of the time, but she seemed nice. And I dozed on and off during the flight myself. Also – this flight was by far the most organized/smooth as far as getting off the plane – everyone worked together and was efficient and I really appreciated it.

At Chicago

I got to my next place without too much trouble. My suitcases were much too heavy though, that was a bit rough to be honest. I had enough time to buy another soda and talk to my momma for a bit. That was quite nice. Somehow I got “Zone Two” boarding for both flights. This means I got to board the plane after all the first class / members – so since I was sitting in the back for both flights I had extra time to put my stuff in the overhead bins.

Flying to London

I am glad this part was over – not the worst bit of my travel but it was still not terribly pleasant. My seat buddy was more friendly this time, so that was nice. I watched “Maleficent” which was interesting but I am glad I didn’t pay extra for it. The first flight didn’t include really anything except ice and a little soda – the second one they were constantly offering water / beverages, gave us dinner and breakfast, and a pillow and blanket. It was funny how different they were – but these things were appreciated.

BEAUTIFUL sunrise, no? What a wonderful world we live in.

Arriving in London / Border Agency / Etc. and wonderfully helpful people

This begins the hardest part of journey. The border line was long in time though short in the actual number of people ahead of me – I seemed to not take very long comparatively though – my previous research and prep helped out – or I was just blessed. Or both. Really nice government employees. I was impressed. Then changing money, this very kind woman was patient with me and seemed to really care about me figuring my way around the country. Trying to find my one checked bag was a headache – someone had taken it off the trolley thing and hid it behind this big pillar on the other side of the turnstile. So naturally I am starting to panic because I can’t find it. LUCKILY I clearly found it based on my earlier sentence. All was well – until I tried to pull everything. I am short and do not have the strength, dexterity, or skill, and it was a challenge. Though, I am not sure I did customs right – it seemed way too easy and less of a hassle. … I probably skipped something without realizing it. Then trying to find the tube was a mess. I was so tired already and then the tube tickets wouldn’t take cash (I had just had some changed for this purpose), so then I couldn’t find my international credit card – so I tried using my home debit, but I must have been not reading the directions because it would not work. So then I started digging through my bag – found my credit card and tried again. It still wouldn’t work, though the sign said it should be fine (probably a ID-10-T error, hahaha). I don’t know why it happened, but as soon as I opened my mouth and said ‘excuse me’ to someone – I was going to ask them to help me, or I could give them my cash and they could buy my card for me, an Oyster card fell through the little chute and was all good to go. Miracles happen, even little ones like figuring out how to get on the tube. I still had to walk there though and my poor soul just wasn’t doing well.

Finding the Tube and wonderfully helpful people

Luckily, getting on the tube worked great – except for my baggage that didn’t feel up to cooperating with me – but eventually I was seated on the Piccadilly line headed for Russell Square. A very nice gentleman helped me when my bags kept falling over and he helped without saying a word – not sure he knew English, but he knew how to help and did so. Sometimes I feel certain angels are around me – even just people acting on the errand of angels. So grateful. Well, I tried to stay out of the way but with my bags and my giant winter coat, I was in the way. Everyone was quite polite about it though – I probably had this helpless and ignorant look about me that encouraged everyone to be patient, because I surely felt helpless and ignorant and they certainly stepped up to help me every step of the way. OH and then on the way out of the tube – ‘mind the gap’ – a kind lady pointed me to a special gate for people in some way burdened – i.e., handicapped or with several children or… several bags and not enough hands. Oh so grateful for her. Then the nice attendant saw my struggle and helped me through.

Loving the buildings.

Getting to where I’m staying and wonderfully helpful people

Well, naturally I had thought I knew where to go when I got out of the tube (also I like that the tube says in big signs “the way out à”) I got lost anyway. I found a map and was mostly there but a bit lost. I found a similar university housing place and just said “I’m lost.” I did shortly proceed to explain where I was trying to go. The man was patient and gave me great directions – even though my crazy brain was really struggling and I still got lost – throughout this whole

adventure “Hagrid’s” quote in “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” – “stick to your ticket, it’s very important that you stick to your ticket” kept running through my head.

Finding the church

After I made it to the housing, I was able to drop off my stuff and go wander. First I went to the nearby park and wrote in my journal while trying to collect my thoughts. Then, I realized I had left my wallet in a bag, I went back and got it. The park is nice, it’s called Tavistock and has a big statue of Gandhi in it, big trees as memorials,

and cute squirrels. I made it back to the tube and over to South Kensington. Got lost again. Found Exhibition Road and started walking. Mistook how far to go and almost despaired and lost hope – when I saw it. The Book of Mormon on a sign. I made it!

Getting sick and the wonderful people

By this point, I was shaking all over and quite ill. When I walked in I almost burst into tears of joy since I finally found it. The kind sister missionaries asked me if I needed a hug, which I did, and after a brief “who are you” conversation, they led me to where I could have a little alone space… much needed. While I rested, I was able to see my former institute teacher telling about the chapel (in a video in their visitor’s center)  – quite a fun story that he told me in person – Elder Kerr was a member of the Seventy for a while and his father was the one who secured the grounds for the chapel. AND the missionaries. Truly loving people, they saved me today. Every step of the way I’ve been sure

someone would turn me away, even missionaries, but naturally they didn’t. They took care of me, got my phone charging so I could call home, gave me plenty of space and support, and eventually showed me a wonderful couch in a dark room, and I got to take a nap. This was after hours of being very sick, so I was quite worn out.

AND I was able to call home in time to talk to momma before she left for school, to dad for quite a while, and my brother and sister before they left for school. This time change business is really quite odd…

Making it back to my hotel

Not as adventurous – I had a nap and was feeling much better. It was getting to rush hour though, so I didn’t get to sit down. By the end of my ride I was feeling sick again but getting off and into the outdoors, I was able to feel better quickly. I went through the park again and got checked into my room – with only minor difficulties with the lift and finding my room. I unpacked, got the internet working, talked to momma, showered, and made my plans for tomorrow.

So, it was a very full two days smashed into however many hours it’s been. I am really tired – but I don’t feel too ‘jetlagged’ if that makes sense – definitely exhausted but not like it should be the middle of the day? Maybe I don’t understand how jetlag is experienced but I was able to jump right into London time and just be tired from the journey…  It is night time and I am ready for sleep – I had set my watch ahead about a day in advance to London time, and once I was on the plane my body adjusted fairly well I think… at least for now I was able to trick myself into not being thrown off my sleep schedule. We will see though, if it holds.

Well, I think that was it for my adventure getting to London.

Good night!