Scotland 4: Day 3

Note: I don’t know where Day 1 or Day 2 ended up, if I come across them, I will update Scotland 4. Enjoy!

Glasgow, Scotland | 06:17

Good morning world! I think my body has adjusted to the time change splendidly! Is splendidly even a word? I woke up a few minutes ago and remembered that the desk clerk told me that there was a free breakfast each morning! Today is going to be a great day! Once again, I’m thankful for the fact that I don’t have to share a room here. Also- free wi-fi in the lobby downstairs! At this moment, I’m looking at a city map, deciding where I want to go, or what I want to do today.

12:39

My morning was a good one. It’s rainy in Glasgow today- bring your umbrella. I went for a walk that was about a mile up the River Clyde, then around the city. It was a beautiful walk, but it kind of wore me out.

I look forward to a nap that will start in just a few minutes.

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First, however, I came up with reason #457 of why I should never travel alone. I’m walking around the city, and I see a salon that is having some sale on hair coloring (you know where this is going, don’t you?). I walked into it thinking I would get some highlights done… I walked out and my entire head dyed purple. I kid you not- I now have purple hair. When the light hits it just right, it looks blue. It’s freakin’ cool, that’s what it is. This is the perfect time to do something like this- my work would never allow me to do purple or blue but I have a month off… and I’m in a foreign country. So why not?

I just left the grocery store with a bottle of Ribena Blackcurrant juice- my favorite! I remember it’s one of my friend Colee’s favorite drinks as well. Ribena… and chocolate… and a nap.

16:50

It is apparent that my body hasn’t quite adjusted yet. Is this because I’m an old man? Probably. I laid down to take a nap and woke up about 2 ½ hours later. This is kind of a long nap- but I guess vacation is for relaxing and resting.

What was once purple hair, no longer is. I’m just thankful that I got some photographic evidence! The lady who colored my hair got so much dye on my scalp, and some on my cheek. This would never do. I ran to Tesco and grabbed some shampoo. They didn’t have that big of a selection, but I still didn’t know what kind to get. The idea was to try to clean my skin but keep the hair color. I ended up with a bottle of hydrating Herbal Essence. I came back to the hostel to wash, rinse and repeat. This took all the purple out. I don’t dare go back and pay the gal to dye it again. So now, instead of the purple, my hair is what I would describe as “dusty platinum” with a very slight blue tint. I like it more. It’s [ever so slightly] more natural than the purple was… as natural as platinum hair is, of course.

19:42

For dinner tonight, I decided on curry. Low and behold, there is an Indian restaurant just down the street from the hostel. I ended up getting some lamb curry. It was very delicious! I tried to call home to say hi to the folks, but they didn’t answer, so I called one of my sisters instead.

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After dinner, I decided to walk to the north, since I haven’t explored that part of Glasgow yet. In all, I’ve probably done about 4 or 5 miles of walking today, and I’m pretty proud of that accomplishment.

Scotland 3: Day 8

03.27.2007 | Edinburgh, Scotland

Bangers & Mash at Monster Mash
The Parliament Building
Holyrood Park, looking up to Arthur’s Seat
Climbing Arthur’s Seat
Arthur’s Seat
Looking from Arthur’s Seat to Calton Hill
Holyrood Palace from Arthur’s Seat
Haunted Tour of Greyfriars
Greyfriars Bobby

After this post, I go into Ireland. I will use the hashtag ‘Ireland 2007’. Later in this journey, I’ll come back to Scotland and resume using the ‘Scotland 3’ hashtag.

Scotland 3: Day 5

03.24.2007 | Inverness, Scotland

I remember Jordan. He worked here when I visited, two years in a row. He was very nice!

Stirling, Scotland

I said goodbye to Inverness, and got on the train, headed south. I took a picture of this ‘Stirling’ sign from the train, so that I could do research and plan a visit to Stirling in a later trip.

Edinburgh, Scotland

There was some sort of parade/ festival happening in Edinburgh. I’m not sure what they were celebrating, but it was wonderful to see everyone out and about!
Victoria Street
This is the view of Grassmarket from the front of my hostel.
Walking up Victoria Street from Grassmarket.
Dinner
The front of the hostel- Budget Backpackers.
Overlooking Greyfriars
View of Grassmarket
Tourist attraction, no doubt, but it is always wonderful to hear bagpipes playing!
Looking down from the top of Calton Hill

Scotland 3: Day 4

03.23.2007 | Inverness, Scotland

Today I walked south about 6 miles, one way, to Loch Ness.
So much of the walk was on the shoulder of the road. There weren’t any sidewalks once I was out of Inverness.
Loch Ness
Loch Ness
Loch Ness
Loch Ness
Loch Ness
I had no tripod for my camera, so I had to find a large, flat rock to set my camera.
Loch Ness
Loch Ness