Marriott Aberdeen

... not really a good time of year up in the Highlands to go aimlessly romping around :P

In December I'll be heading home quickly, nothing special - but then I have 2 big breaks coming up.. So many choices!

So no, I haven't died.. I'm just at university!

[also - having some problems with java because my university internet doesn't like me. sooo pics will come. eventually.]

... all taken care of the adventuring will begin. I'm starting to think Ill hop over to Dublin for a day or two before I start traveling south because I am dying to taste their Guinness! Ill write as soon as I know, but I think Ill be lounging around Scotland for two weeks while I get my ducks in a line. Obviously there isn't much to log yet but i promise it will get interesting soon!!!!

... in a 30 ltr something backpack. The photo here is what I've settled on so far plus the camera (minus the router of course). One really important item i realized i've forgotten till today is toilet paper.Thats in the red and white plastic bag so easy for me to find in case of emergency. The string if you're wondering is in case I need to wash my own clothes so at least I have something to hang the clothes from. Also a mini french dictionary for Syria ...

... I'll be back in Tucson by 8:35 p.m. I've drawn some conclusions from my trip to Scotland. First, it's not as foreign as I expected. Once you get over the accent and the fact that they drive on the other side of the road here, it's easy to forget that you're abroad. The day-to-day life seems very similar to that in any town of a similar size in the U.S.

Even so, there are a few things I've liked about Aberdeen ...

... Aberdeen, Hanna, Heather, and I went out for Loud Music Night. We went to a bar where they knew the person singing, and I just sat nursing a pint of McEwan's and watched as young Scottish folks trickled into the bar and, astonishingly, danced to such undanceable music as The Cranberries' "Zombie," Oasis' "Wonderwall," and so forth. A must-see for those traveling in Scotland for the first time.

I rose around 9:00 and went for a run down Union Street (the main drag). People looked at me like I was nuts. Apparently exercise isn't an Aberdonian specialty, particularly at 9 a.m. Afterward, I found a small out-of-the-way sandwich shop where I bought a roast beef and bacon sandwich with spicy English mustard. I enjoyed the sandwich on a bench facing Soul Casino— ...

... who's used to the driver being in the left front, cars look like they're being driven by babies, for example, or pets, or if the seat is empty, by no one at all.
Over the coming days, I'll explore some Aberdeen some more, then make my way to Inverness and Stonegate. I had hoped to make a trip up to Skara Brae in Orkney, but under the circumstances and with the limited amount of time I have here, I decided not to push it. Alas, perhaps another trip.

... Eventually we return to the grass outside Fraser Noble, where the chub resumes his focussed search for stones. S arrives, the late aftrenoon sun has an extreme clarity, leaves and branches and roofs outlined against the incredibly blue sky, like regaining one's sight. I make a few calls to Simon and g Aunt, informing them of our arrival to the Uk and an expected time of arrival. Its 11 p/min if using coins, 20p /min if using a BT calling card, anywhere in the UK ...

... accomplishment. Sadly though, I think the 'naive American' is too often quite true. I greatly enjoyed Paris but it was wonderful to return to Aberdeen. The sun shines when I open my curtains and I dance to the tunes of my ipod while I get ready in the morning. I walk through the park and the birds chirp as my hair is without a doubt blowing in my face. But I'm smiling. The river twinkles, the sea glistens and I'm filled with such a peace and joy.

... was in the countryside. We spent the day sightseeing in and around Aberdeen. We met Richards friend Sid, who owns a pub and chatted with him. Funny man! He will try and hook us up with some jobs... but isn't positive about it. After the day Colin and I hit a fish and chips place next door to the hotel and had the biggest plate of fish and chips ever... and I got extra onion rings... we were rolling around with ...