Does 4 a.m. really exist? I don't even remember the last time I was up then (actually that's a lie...I do, but nothing pleasant has ever happened that early in the morning). When my alarm went off at four I felt like I was in some crazy dream. My body started moving and getting dressed, but my mind wasn't taking advantage.
You see, we had to have all of our luggage out for the AHSTF staff to load into trucks for the big move to Edinburgh. Then it was breakfast at 5 a.m. (very hard to eat a British breakfast that early) and then waiting for the bus by 5:30. At six we managed to get on our bus that took us to King's Cross Station. Now everyone knows what has made King's Cross famous . . . Platform 9 3/4's, Harry Potter's entrance into the wizarding world. I really felt bad because so many of the kids, and I have to include myself in that number, were severely disappointed because only the first eight platforms were open. Nine & 10 are closed for renovation so they were unable to take pictures at the famous sight.
But then we got on our train and began the voyage to Scotland. I will absolutely take as one of my favorite memories of this trip the first hour of the train ride and the hilarity that occurred from doing Mad Libs with Alex Parker, Andrea Shearon, and Kaz Zumbro. Hours 2-4 I slept. I tried to stay awake, but it just wasn't happening. But the good stuff all seemed to come in the last hour anyway. I got to take pictures of the largest castle in the world, the beautiful seascape of the North Sea (most calming view I've ever seen), and then entering Edinburgh.
When we exited the train in Edinburgh there was a Scottish bagpipe player performing American songs like Yanke Doodle, Dixieland, and Deep in the Heart of Texas. Very cool way to start our Scotland days. The next adventure, not so much! They crammed 80 people on one charter bus. Claustrophobic, anyone? It was unbearable, but it only lasted about an hour and a half. Finally, we made it to the University of Edinburgh, our final destination for the trip.
The greatest thing about the University is that2 all of their rooms are single rooms. So, we all will have some private time which will be greatly needed. The cafeteria food is amazing . . . so much better than the Bankside cafeteria. Supper tonight was fantastic. For the rest of the evening, we rested, and the boys made a nice little surprise for her birthday tomorrow. Let's hope she likes it.
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