Busy Days

Sorry for the lack of updates, but we're in staying busy here in Scotland.

Let's see,
Sunday stayed slow-
we ate lunch here in town,
Mackenzie and I each bought a pair of willies,
we did some grocery shopping-
but that's all.

Monday was exciting,
we finally made it up to Inverness!
A 45 minute train ride both way,
but completely worth it.
(Just like to say, BritRail Pass is Amazing.  Totally worth the extra money.)
We did quite a bit of shopping.
(more shopping then buying, of course.)
All the stores seem to be having massive sales for the past couple weeks,
so that has been a little nicer.

We did some research on my surname,
apparently i'm also related to the Campbell and MacIntosh clans,
however, everything is starting to get a bit overwhelming,
so I'm going to change my last name to Thompson-
much simpler and they have a cuter tartan pattern.

We went to Leakey's,
a used bookstore and cafe,
very cool.

Then, Mack and I ate Lunch at this cute little cafe,
The Rendezvous,
yummy, Macaroni and Cheese and Smoothies.

(P.S. Melissa, this place is like the classic British twist on Aretha Frankenstein's.  Very Cool, needless to say.)

Then we walked around town a lot more.
At this point our feet were killing us though,
because the weather forecast called for rain.
So we thought it would be a GREAT day to break in our Wiillies.
Which, of course, for the first time since arriving in Scotland,
it didn't rain.
at all.
(at least not until we arrived BACK in Aviemore.)
so we were stuck wearing very uncomfortable and hot shoes all day.
(except for Mackenzie- she solved the problem by buying a new pair of flip-flops.)

We got back in Aviemore at around 9 o'clock.
Then, Mackenzie and I headed over to Cafe Mumbo
(the best part about Aviemore)
for some hot chocolate.
Which, of course,
the hot chocolate machine had just been turned off.

But our friend that works there,
(ok, the salesperson that sold us our Willies and just so happens to also work at Cafe Mumbo)
turned them back on to make us Hot Chocolate.
yummy in my tummy.

Then we went back to the Scandinavian Village (of Scotland),
and slept.

Today we woke up early,
got on the train.
and took it all the way up north.
a 5 hour train ride.
very, very pretty train ride.
(which, i'd just like to say the soundtrack from "The Holiday" makes a great accompaniment to, though i'd assume any music by Hans Zimmer would make a decent substitute.)

except,
when we got off in Thurso (the next to last stop.)
we had an hour and a half before we had to get right back on the train and come back.
so we went to a cool seafood restraunt.
to get great seafood.
(it had been recommended to us on the train.)

but, it was, of course, closed.
so the really nice lady at the bar,
called someone and they made us food anyways.
because if not,
they would have had two very hungry and very grumpy teenagers on their hands.
and that would have been very, very, very bad.
(seriously.)
and while they made our food,
Mackenzie and I walked along the coast line,
and then went back to play pool.

then, we ate.
(fried scampi, aka shrimp.)
and caught a taxi.
and caught a train.
and rode for 5 hours.
and came back to the resort.

so, basically,
today, we rode 5 hours one way to eat great seafood and play pool.




However,
i would just like to say.
That i hope when i come home, everyone thinks,
man-
that Savannah has grown up in Europe.
she is so much cooler and confident and mature now.
because, that's how i'm starting to feel.
(except for when i'm really hungry and don't have food.)


but, seriously,
i know that in the 1800's, that when young men/women turned 18, their parents sent them away for a tour of Europe.
and i don't know why that practice ever stopped.
because, this place is cool.
and i really do think (and hope) it changes people.


pictures soon,
savannah



p.s. the plan for the rest of the week is this:
glasgow tomorrow. (catching the 7:33 am train.)
Skye Thursday (9:44 train?)
Friday was going to be Edinburgh day,
however, now we're staying in Aviemore.
Washing Clothes, Packing, Etc.
And Cafe Mumbo is having a concert on Friday night,
so hopefully be attending that.
(the band is called the bleakers, weird name.)
Saturday we leave for Wales.
But we're taking the early train through Edinburgh.
Checking our luggage,
and then exploring Edinburgh for a few hours.
then back on the train to Wales.


Au Revoir, Aviemore.
Thanks for the memories, even if they weren't that great.