A wee bit of Scotland

After we had a fantastic week in Northern Ireland we got on another plane headed to Glasgow, Scotland. Security part took longer then we expected not because it was busy it was the total opposite. The employees were bored so decided they would do these random practice drills on us. I think I put my bag through the x-ray five times before they let us go. But it was a laugh. We got on the plane and picked our seats, got settled in with Philips iPad set up with Parks and Recreation show ready to play. But there wasn't much time for that since this was the shortest plane ride I have ever been on. It literately felt like we went up in the air for five minutes when the captain on the intercom announced "prepare for landing". When we arrived to Philips Uncle and Aunts house the streets were like typical town streets with houses attached everywhere and cars parked along the sidewalks. Cramped! The house from the outside looked small but when you entered in there was tall ceilings, massive doors and big rooms. I met Philips twin cousins for the first time. We only spent three days total in Scotland but we did as much as we could. Our first day we ventured onto a train to Glasgow City but of course it was raining. No surprise there. I really liked Glasgow City Center Train Station. The look and feel was very Victorian but also modern as well. A mix of the old and the new. 

That day in Glasgow we just walked around viewed the architecture of the buildings. We did stop into Pizza Hut (so American) for something to eat and I couldn't understand the waitress. Some of the Scottish Accents were very thick so sometimes I just smile and nod. One thing we thought was interesting was this statue.

Was the pylon suppose to be there or was it a prank made by some teenagers with nothing better to do with their lives? Either way we thought it was different. But when we went to Edinburgh and came back it was still there and we think it was for this festival or something.

You know in the movies when you see people in the rain walking on the sidewalk and a car comes along driving through a puddle leaving the poor person wet and muddy. Well this actually happened to Philip while waiting to cross the street. In the picture below you can see his pants wet, okay maybe its not terrible but it was still a funny moment.

Our day in Glasgow was good but wet. This is George Square and apparently a zombie movie called WORLD WAR Z with Brad Pitt had a scene taken here. Pretty kool. When we got back to Philips Family home we were ready for a change of clothes and a nice hot tea.

The next day turned out to be the total opposite regarding the weather. Warm and Sunny! Perfect for going to Edinburgh, Scotland's Capital. Philips cousin John tagged along with us. We first had to take the train to Glasgow and then another train to Edinburgh. All together it was about an hours journey. Love taking the train and seeing the country side of Scotland. When we arrived the first thing we decided to do was climb Scotland's Monument not knowing you had to climb these narrow spiral stairs like the ones in old castles.

I am afraid of heights so it was difficult for me to do this and I didn't make it right to the top but I made it pretty far to have this beautiful view.

 You can see Edinburgh Castle on that part of the hill. While up there I saw a huge store called "Jenners". Only some people will understand how this had an interest to me but story made short, my brother couldn't say my name correctly when he was young and he would call me "Jenner".  A lot of my friends then called me Jenner and its been a nickname I have had and a memory.

We started walking around and see what to do next. We then went inside a free admission art museum called Scotish National Gallery but I couldn't take any photos inside. It was interesting. Not all my kind of art but it was good.

Next we ventured up a hill to Edinburgh Castle. It was huge and such a great view looking over Edinburgh City. Perfect back then looking over the city they ruled or looking out for enemy's. The Admission price was a little expensive so we didn't get to look right inside but at least got to see the outside and main entrance.

Some interesting people we saw walking down the main street of Edinburgh. Mostly to shop.

BRAVE HEART

INVISIBLE MAN OF EDINBURGH 

If we didn't see a Scottish Bag Piper I would be disappointed

The next part we walked around and went in and out of buildings like cathedral and the parliament building. It was a really nice day out. We walked up this hill and found this.

We thought it was interesting as it looked like a roman or Greek building was being built in Scotland. We saw people sitting on it and we decided to try it out. When you get closer its a lot higher and I wouldn't of got up there if it was for my strong boyfriend to help lift me up.

It was a fantastic view from that hill and it was in the evening when the sun started to set. Beautiful! In Wales there is this hill we climb often called Tymbarlym. Don't worry if you can't pronounce it, it's Welsh. Anyways right at the top is this type of monument which meant to mean a high point. On this hill in Edinburgh there happened to be one there too. So now I have reached two high points in the UK. 

Our walk back to the train station was beautiful with the sunset. 

When we arrived in Glasgow to walk to the train station to catch the train home we saw this statue again but can you tell whats different from the picture above? 

It has two pylons now and the other one being on the horse. Now I wasn't sure if that was a prank or not. Oh well. So on our last day in Scotland we decided to go back to Glasgow City and look at a different part. We went to a very old cathedral with a huge cemetery.

 And then we walked into the oldest house in Glasgow. Spent about an hour in there. Very interesting.

Overall our trip to Scotland was short but it was great at the same time. Lots of history, scenery and saw some of Scotland's culture. I would for sure travel there again if I had the chance to maybe see more of the country side.