Cheers, from Scotland

Hello all,
Sorry my last post was quite short but I did not have a lot of time, but I wanted to calm all the nervous families that we arrived safely and especially for my family to emphasize that no passports or people were lost. Praise God.

A lot has happened since that very short post. Tuesday we toured the Edinburgh Castle, where many were ecstatic to see the royal jewels and honours. It was fascinating. They also had on display wooden doors that the Prisoners of War would graffiti on to mark their identity. There were many Americans as well as other countries represented on those doors.

I along with Kelly, Sarah, Margo, and Rachel plus Professor Milnar and Afman had lunch at the very own birthplace of the Harry Potter. Elephant House was a charming little restaurant and cafe, and I am sure J.K. Rowling agreed since that is where she wrote the first books of Harry Potter while she looked out the window at the Edinburgh Castle. I thought all you Harry Potter fans, as I, would be interested and jealous to hear that.
I also found out the secrets to parenthood from our wise professors, telling us their ways to potty train and prevent under age training. I will be a great parent, but do not worry not until far into the future.

We then explored the oldest school of for surgeans, where we looked toured the Museum of History. It was extrordianary. Not only did we learn that surgeouns first went to school with barbers, but we saw specimens that were over 200 hundred years old! We were given special access to view the upstairs where preserved body parts with severe diseases were held. Ask your children what struck them the most. But they ranged from worms, goiters, lymphobia hodgkins, rickets, tuberculouses, and wounds from war. That may sound disgusting, but to us esteemed scientists, it was really fascinating to see with our own eyes the reality of our mortal bodies.

Later after some testimonies a few people went out for a Ghost Tour. I did not, as those who know me know I do not do well with being scared. Turns out it was just a tour of the town at night, while learning all the creepy things about Ediburgh's past.

Speaking of Edingburgh, I fell in love with it as soon as we arrived. Yes the wind was blowing us all back (do not worry we were not affected by the ash cloud from the volcanoe in Iceland), but the little cottages and the green grass everywhere answered my dreams of what I hoped Scotland to be. I could not contain my excitement as we rode the double decker bus to our hotel. Then, at least near the Royal Mile, all the buildings are old stone, like you would picture in the middle-ages. That makes sense since there are castles and cathedrals everywhere.

The people here are nice. Though I was told that I bond well with the Scottish people (told by a real Scottsmen), I am afriad that is not the norm I am sure. But what can I say? We are a big group of tourists. But with their lovely accents, I think they could say anything and we all would fall in love with them!


Today was a different tone then the first day. We spent the morning and afternoon at a university where we heard from Nick Watson and Alan MacPherson. We learned about what it means to be a humble athelete but giving God the glory through our excellence from Professor Watson. We then listened to Dr. MacPherson about his research concerning the use of rhythm with performance of athletes. It was very informative and interesting.

Afterwards we watched Chariots of Fire and then hiked (and I mean hike) up the mountain that Liddle talked to Jenny about his purpose in life and that God made him fast, so he will run and win for God.
It was BEAUTIFUL. Yes, we may have climbed up the harder path by accident, but we all made it alive and were able to do the Watermellon Crawel on top of Author's Seat (the name of the mountain) that Chris taught us earlier that day. It's a line dance for all of those who are not familar with that dance culture. None of us were eaither.
But the view was extroardinary and we all took more pictures on top of the mountain than all of the trip so far. My favorite was on the way back down through a field of yellow flowers all along the hill sides. (Yes I know fields are not hills, but just go with it). To me it was exactly what I expected Heaven to look like when I was young. And yes I did frolick in the fields.

Well that conlcudes tonights adventures, though Professor Milner (Millie) and Afman (G Dawg) threw out their surprise they have for us tomorrow. I would say guess what it is, but you won't so I will tell you.
We are going to the biggest? maybe the best? rock climbing facility in the UK? maybe of all the world? Not too clear on those detials...but they did leave us with the words Aerial something or other. It should be a lot of fun. Scary at some points I am sure...but parent's do not fear there are safety belts and bungie ropes (I suppose).

So look forward to hearing about that adventure and then we are off to LONDON!

p.s. I still haven't gotten my wool sweater yet and the guys have not gotten their kilts yet, but our time in Scotland is not over yet.