Scotland and All Hallows Eve

This past week was a Holiday week from work for Halloween. I decided to venture on my own and take a trip to Scotland. I flew early Sunday morning into Edinburgh, and just loved what I saw. It's such a gorgeous city. I saw the Edinburgh castle, the school that inspired Harry Potter as well as went into the cafe where JK Rowling wrote all the Harry Potter books, heard some ghosts stories in a grave yard, had some good Mediterranean food, and read a good bit.

Monday morning our tour began around 9 am. I met some people in the hostel who were also traveling alone and chatted with them until we boarded our bus. We drove all the way from Edinburgh to the Isle of Skye which took us all day but of course we made some stops along the way. Including seeing Loch Ness but of course the monster did not want to come out and play. We heard a lot of pretty cool legends and fairy tales and saw lots of castles and even snow up in the top of the mountains. We arrived to the Isle of Skye after driving over the Atlantic ocean, and stayed in a small town called Kylabin.

The next day we proceeded to venture around the Isle and even went on a 2 hour hike with mountain sheep. Such a good time. When we started we couldn't see the top of the mountain because it was in the fog. There are just so many breath taking views I can't even put it into words. Also we went to the Faerie Glen and the Sligachan River where it is said if you stick your face in the water for 7 seconds you will be blessed with eternal youth and beauty. :)

The third day was also spend mostly on the bus driving back to Edinburgh.

It was such a great time to go on my own and meet new people. It is almost empowering to go on a trip alone and know you will be a ok.

After my excursion to the land of the Scots I returned to Belfast, in which I had an odd since of returning home. I felt has if I had been away for too long, and I missed my little cottage on the mountain.

The rest of the weekend was really relaxing and I just hung out with a friend and experienced Halloween in Northern Ireland.

Halloween in the States just doesn't compare to fireworks, carved turnips, and the crazy costumes I saw this weekend. Halloween started in Ireland and was taken everywhere else by the Irish, just a little fact for you. We also went to this place called the Ulster Transport and Folk museum. It was so fun just to see everyone dressed up and enjoying themselves we were even able to make Halloween Turnip masks, try some Apple tart (apparently a Halloween treat) and enjoy soda bread.

Daylights Savings time also happened Saturday night so for one week I am only 4 hours time difference from home.

Our new volunteer should be here sometime in the month.

Everything is going well still loving the life and hunkering down for the cold winter. But I do now have a fire place which makes me a very very happy girl!! :)

Cheerio for now