EDINBURGH

Edinburgh is in one word - Amazing. A small town of about 500,000 it is very mid evil. Complete with cobblestone streets, more churches than any god could ever want, and an amazing history. The Castle mounted atop the hill is reminiscent of the Alhambra in Granada, Spain. Lit up at night and tons of intricate details, it is quite the site and home to the crown jewels of Scotland.

The people in Edinburgh have been amazing. The Scottish are the nicest of Europeans - every one smiles, says hello, and is very helpful and polite. The weather was..... WAIT FOR IT.......Rainy. The Scottish landscape reminds me of Canada and the northwestern coast of the US - a bit rugged, rocky, surreal and very green. Cliffs fall into the ocean, bridges and rivers everywhere. The Castle in Edinburgh is actually built on a Volcano then a few miles away there is an amazing Plateau that raises 1000 m out of the middle of nowhere - that once served as the vent for that volcano. At its base stands a museum for how the world started and evolved.

When in Scotland - do as the Scots do. Drink Scotch. And that I did. I started my am with Scotch Whiskey tasting - 6 glasses to be exact. Well... one was complimentary - 2 were for being a good volunteer and then then other 4.... ok... ok.... I made some friends at the bar. It put me in just the right mood to do some exploring in the rain soaked Scotland.

The crazy thing about the Scottish... some actually talk like 'Fat Bastard' from Austin Powers. Sometimes they are speaking English and you have absolutely no idea what they are saying. The other true thing... people actually wear the whole Scottish dress on the street (kilt, beret, socks, and purse). No bagpipes yet... but I am still looking.