Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Fun in Euro

This morning we woke up and did a tour all through-out Edinburgh. We saw the "new" and "old" towns, as well as Princess Street. We had a Scottish tour guide and he was wearing the famous kilt. He was a wonderful tour guide and told us so many interesting facts!

He took us up the Castle where we had tea, and we got to see the crown and sword of the king from long, long ago. There was seven gates that we had to pass through in order to just reach the castle. This was to keep the invaders out of their territory. It was only taken over once by surprise. So far Warwick Castle is our favorite, because this one was turned into more of a museum, but we still have Blair Castle tomorrow, so that should be fun!

Then we went to the Royal Brittania Yacht. It wasn't as spectacular as we thought it was going to be, but it was amazing to know that we walked in the same footsteps as some of the royals. We also got to see the bed that Charles and Diana slept in on their honeymoon. The style inside of it was British Cottage. It had a 40's look to it. It wouldn't be my choice of style, but then again I don't own a yacht.

We did learn some interesting things about their time aboard the yacht though. We learned that the staff had to measure all of the silverware each night before dinning because it had to be exact, if the royals came in a room where help wasn't suppose to be seen the "help" had to freeze and stare straight ahead until the royals left, if the royals got tired of saluting sailors then the sailors had to take off their hats (because then they were not in uniform) and the royals no longer have salute, etc...I would feel bad living like that and having others take care of me, but I guess I don't have to worry about that.

We had some downtime to shop in the city, so found a family heritage building and looked up our family heritage. We learned that the last name "Houston" comes from the MacDonald Clan. We are highlanders!

Tonight we went to a scottish dinner show. We had dinner in a huge banquet room. It reminded mom and I of being at a wedding reception. Mom tried Haggis...yuck!!!! I wouldn't/couldn't do it! The show was really nice. They had dancers, bagpipers, comedians/dancers, etc... The dancing had a story line behind it, which was related to the MacDonald Clan, so that was pretty cool to see. They even had our "clan tartan" kilt on during the show.

The Motto's that the Scottish go by are "If you hit me, I will hit you." This is posted on one of their castles. The Scottish don't mess around!

We also learned that when the people in the "olden days" use to throw poop out the window...the pigs would be let out, and the would eat all of the sewage of the people. Yuck!

The Scottish tour director today said "Elton John is like a jolly fat man, with sausages for fingers." He then continued on to call him a "rich fruitcake." They have no comment sensors out here! Its pretty obvious that the scottish don't like the English either! They make fun of them pretty constant.

We didn't get to go into the Holyrood House, because the Queen is suppose to be in town in 5 days, so they have all of her staff/security down here getting it ready for her. Must be nice! It was really pretty though!

P.S. At breakfast a days ago. Mom and I noticed that they still sit the Blacks/Whites on different sides of the restaurant. It was pretty noticeable! I am not sure if everyone noticed, but was for sure done on purpose. Can't believe they still do that out here at some places!

Tomorrow is St.Andrews, Perth, and Blair Castle.

Kayla and Sandy Ornelas

No comments:

Post a Comment