Royal Admission

     Today was my last day in Edinburgh, and, unfortunately, my last day of adventure. The only adventure that awaits me after today is the trip back home to Pittsburgh. I've had such a wonderful time here that I'm not sure that I want to go back yet! I guess I can't be selfish, though. I've done more in two than most people have in their lifetimes! Also, I can't really say that I don't miss home just a little, especially my friends and family! Speaking of family, I manged to take plenty of pictures of my last outing for my sister!
     My first stop on my last adventure was the Queen's Palace of residence itself, Holyrood House! I wasn't permitted to take pictures from the inside, but I got plenty of pictures of the outside! It was so beautiful, on the inside and out, if you'll take my word for it! I can't believe that I was actually admitted to the palace where the Queen of Scotland lives (http://www.royalcollection.org.uk/default.asp?action=article&ID=36)! I guess it was too much to ask for to actually see the Queen, though.

Palace of Holyrood House

     My next and final stop was the Castle of Edinburgh. It was even more grand than Holyrood House, and it had seen much more history. I got a tour along with the admission for only 14 GBP (http://www.edinburghcastle.gov.uk/index/plan/tickets.htm)! Once again, they only let me take pictures of the outside, but it was worth it to have a picture at all! Isn't it the most beautiful thing you've ever seen?!

Castle of Edinburgh

     I learned a lot about the history of Scotland, but I'm sad to say that, unlike the history that I learned in Canterbury, I'm having trouble recalling any of it. There were a lot of things that I didn't understand...more than likely because I know next to nothing about Scotland to begin with. My sister might have understood more than I did. I suppose I'll ask her about it when I get home.
     Well, I guess there's no easy way to say it: my trip is over. All that's left to do is catch my train back to Piccadilly, stay at my hostel for one more night, and catch my plane home in the morning. I'm really going to miss Europe. It has a lot to offer first-time and returning visitors. I had a lot of fun, and I'll remember it forever, but I can't say that I'm not looking forward to sleeping in my own bed again!
     Pittsburgh, here I come!

St. Giles Cathedral

     Today I did the one thing that I set out to do upon coming to Edinburgh: I bought my sister a souvenir!

My sister's new sweatshirt!

     She was in desperate need of a new jacket, anyway! I knew that she'd wear this everyday! She'll be ecstatic to tell everyone that it actually came from Scotland!

     I got it at the Shop inside of St. Giles Cathedral. The Admission to the Cathedral was actually free (http://www.stgilescathedral.org.uk/visiting/). They asked if I would like to donate 3 GBP to the church, however, so I did. I feel that it was only fair, seeing as they let people in for free and don't require the donation. I felt that it would be rude not to give them something for my admission, especially when I found my sister's gift in their shop (http://www.stgilescathedral.org.uk/visiting/shop/contactshop.html)!

     The Cathedral itself was beautiful, as every Cathedral that I've visited has been. They even let me take pictures!

St Giles Cathedral interior

     I can't wait to see what else this place has to offer! Tomorrow, I'm going to two of the most famous places in all of Scotland: Holyrood House and Edinburgh Castle! It's my last day here, so why not make it special?

Dungeons and Torture!

     Today was incredibly fun (yes, despite the morbid title. If you've read my post about Witches and the Ducking Stool, you'd understand my twisted thinking.)! One of the things that I have always been interested in when hearing about Scotland from my sister was the dungeons. Today, I actually got to see them! My sister is going to ring my throat when I come back and tell her what I've seen.
     The Edinburgh Dungeons offered many attractions, including 11 actor-led shows (which gave me a nostalgic feeling of my days at Gory Park during Fright Night), and 2 amusement park-styled rides! And it only cost me 13.50 GBP! (http://www.the-dungeons.co.uk/edinburgh/en/tickets-prices/tickets-and-prices.htm) My favorites, I have to say, were the Torture Chambers, where I got to see and learn about the instruments of torture for prisoners and traitors during that period (my sister will literally kill me for seeing that without her!), and the Drop to Doom Ride (yes, it is exactly what it sounds like. It was similar to Kennywood's Pitt-Fall, but less secure. I was ecstatic to learn that I was tall enough to ride! -_-). I also enjoyed the Cave of Cannibals! They took us on a boat ride through a cave during 'meal-time,' and the actors chased our boat! It was all very well done, and very realistic, from the make-up to the atmosphere! (http://www.the-dungeons.co.uk/edinburgh/en/attractions/extremis-drop-ride.htm)

Extremis: Drop Ride to Doom

     I'm furious, however, to learn that they have the same amusement park in London, with attractions based on that city! They even have an attraction based on Jack the Ripper and the Great Fire of London! I'm so ANGRY! WHY DIDN'T I GO TO THAT?!! -crying-
     I've never had more fun at an amusement park in my life! I'm sad that I won't be coming back. Before I die, I hope to take my sister to Edinburgh and show her all the joy that I've found here! I can't seem to stop thinking about her, being in the place that she wants to go to most. I'm sure that if she ever went to London, England, or Tokyo, Japan, she'd be thinking of me, too! At least I took plenty of pictures for her!

We Aren't Alone

     I was recently reading one of Edinburgh's most popular newspapers, the Scotsman (http://www.scotsman.com/), and I came across an article that struck pretty close to home. I thought that my friends back in the US would be interested to hear about it, seeing as we are in a similar situation at the moment.
     Apparently, the results of the recent elections have left Scottish citizens wanting. The political parties have yet to explain how they will fund expensive manifesto pledges, and refuse to accept or announce the fact that in order to do so, jobs will more than likely be lost in order to appease the tightening budgets.
     Sounds familiar, huh?
     While Scottish citizens are quite concerned about this matter, worried that their friends, family, and selfs will lost their jobs and/or be forced to pay higher taxes, the political parties in question remain silent. They are avoiding questions involving decisions that are necessary to turn around the economy. Their views on the matter remain obscured, due to the fact that they have little to nothing to say to Scottish reporters or citizens about them. Meanwhile, well-respected think tanks and reporters claim that if a way to boost the economy is not decided on soon, jobs will be lost, money will be unavailable to invest in hospitals and schools, and youth unemployment rates will drop further (http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/scotland/Scottish-Election-2011-39Sums-don39t.6760528.jp).
     Sound familiar yet?
     At the very least it's nice to know that we aren't the only country suffering financial problems due to people like Governor Corbett, but it's difficult all the same to find relief in other people's misery. Everyone here has been very nice to me so far, from restaurant owners to my hostel's staff. I hope for only the best outcome for the Scottish people.

Ugh, more trains...

     Well, goodbye Canterbury, hello Edinburgh! I must say, I'm getting pretty sick of riding trains, especially since this one was the longest ride (https://directrail.raileasy.co.uk/go/home/?content=fare.default2main). Although I must say, at least I had a great view! My sister always raves about how beautiful Scotland is, but I could never truly appreciate it until I saw it for myself! I'm so glad that I had a window-seat. The scenery really is beautiful. There are plenty of lakes, mountains, river, and greenery. It's all so...earthy. Being from the city, I'm very surprised that earth's natural beauty can be so, well, beautiful. My sister will be so jealous. I'm so sad that she couldn't come with me. I'll be sure to bring her back plenty of pictures and souvenirs!

I had to take a picture for my sister from the train. Scotland really is beautiful!

     After changing trains to make it to my hostel (http://www.thetrainline.com/buytickets/combinedmatrix.aspx?Command=TimeTable), I settled in. Once again, it isn't as nice as Piccadilly Backpackers was, but it has continental breakfast and free internet access in the lobby. It even has free washer/dryer access (http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/St-Christopher-s-Edinburgh/Edinburgh/507)! It'll be nice to wash the clothes that I've worn so far and make room in my backpack.
     For the rest of the day, I think I'll just use their lobby's internet access to plan for the rest of my trip, day by day. I've done a bit of research already, and have a few ideas of places that I want to go. This is the last stop on my trip, and while I'm eager to return home, I'm determined to make this last leg count! I'm going to see everything that Edinburgh has to offer and more!
     This one's for you, sis! I'm thinking of you!

Witches and Gladiators!

     No, the title is not strange; not when you've experienced the outings that I had today! After breakfast alone (already missing my friend! Hope she got to Dover safely.), I ventured out to the point of interest in Canterbury that I had most looked forward to (or rather, the point of interest that would take me to that point of interest). As per my last day in London, I thought I'd take a river cruise/tour. It turned out to be a good decision. It cost me only 7.50 GBP (http://www.canterburyrivertours.co.uk/prices), and took me past wonderful places of significance in Canterbury, such as the Greyfriars, Canterbury Cathedral, the King's Bridge, and various buildings from the medieval period, such as the Old Weaver's House and the King's Mill (http://www.canterburyrivertours.co.uk/river-tour). Each tour sight had interesting history behind it (adding to the already vast amount of history that I was already aware of), but none interested me so much as the Ducking Stool in the garden of the Old Weaver's House.

Ducking Stool

  I have always been interested in subjects of the occult, and the purpose of the Ducking Stool fell right into that category. During the medieval times, as well as serving as a form of punishment and torture, the Ducking Stool was a method used to test the credibility of someone who was accused of being a witch. The accusers would strap their victim to the chair/stool, and submerge them under the water for elongated periods of time. If the victim lived, then they were pronounced a witch, and burned at the stake. If instead, they drowned, then they would be proclaimed innocent, and although they had died wrongfully, their name was cleared, and the accuser suffered no retribution. This tool (if a slightly more modernized version) was referenced in episode 9 of season 2 of my favorite anime as of late, and it was certainly interesting to learn of the history and origin of the tool, as it had piqued my curiosity during the episode. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Black_Butler_episodes#Season_2).

Ciel (of 'Black Butler' anime series) being tortured via use of the Ducking Stool.

      My next stop was one that I simply could not miss, less for my sake and more for the sake of my friend, Shelby, back home. If I returned to Pittsburgh without stopping here, she would have my head! The Canterbury Roman Museum (yes, more history) was absolutely overflowing with exhibits and archeological findings from the time of the Greeks and Romans. They even allowed access to the site of an excavated Roman house from that time period! Apparently, the town of Canterbury expanded greatly during this time, due to the fact that it was a major trading post near London used by the Romans. I took plenty of pictures for her, just in case she doesn't believe me! (http://www.canterbury.co.uk/things-to-see-and-do/Canterbury-Canterbury-Roman-Museum/details/?dms=13&GroupId=2&venue=3030500)
     My next, and last, as it seems, adventure will pique the interest of another important person back home: my sister, Mariah. I wish that she could have come with me (and she does, too!). I feel terrible that she's missing a trip to the capital of her favorite country! I'll be sure to bring her back souvenirs!
     Next stop: Edinburgh!

Another History Lesson

     This town is just full of cultural history, isn't it? After learning the interesting facts surrounding the Canterbury Cathedral and Canterbury Tales, I simply had to see more, and what better place to learn about a town's history than their museum? With a price of less than 5 GBP, it was just the place to visit. It was full of different exhibits and informed staff who had lived in the town for the better part of their lives. It was very enlightening, and they even retold the story of the murder in the Canterbury Cathedral. (http://www.kentattractions.co.uk/index.php/museum-of-canterbury-with-rupert-bear-museum/museum-of-canterbury-with-rupert-bear-museum-admission-rates-for-2011-.html) I also learned about another prominent Christian landmark within the town, and decided to take a look for myself.
     St. Augustine's Abbey was nearly as enormous as the Cathedral, and just as beautiful. It was built during the rise of Christianity in England, and is one of the oldest churches in the country. I was even allowed to tour the Abbey's ruins, and see objects found by archaeologists from the Abbey's earlier days. It was so interesting to see and touch something so old. It really brought to light the significance of the building. It gave me a new appreciation for the things of the past like it (even if it did have a slightly creepy aura. Then again, what ancient ruins aren't creepy, in a way?).  (http://www.canterbury.co.uk/Canterbury-St-Augustine's-Abbey/details/?dms=13&feature=1&venue=3030380)

Ruins of St Augustine's Abbey

     Tomorrow will be my last day here, so I plan to make the most of it! I'm going to see what I have most been looking forward to: the Ducking Stool!