So, on Wednesday the 23rd, after leaving my first-aid training for volunteering a smidge early, I met Rachel with open arms at the train station. We had an epic reunion with giant hugs and even more giant smiles. We then made our way back to my flat through campus because it is more scenic and less hilly than through town. Once in Belmont 26, Rachel had a chance to relax and unpack some of her stuff, and then I cooked her dinner. Shocking, I know. I made a lovely dinner of cheese tortellini with pesto sauce and chicken and a lovely fruit salad. If there is one thing I have learned this semester, is how to make a killer fruit salad :-P
After eating food and catching up on the happenings of her travel and life if Copenhagen, it was time to get all dolled up for a night out. A bunch of my girl friends came over to our flat for pre-drinks before we all headed out to the Union where we met up with they guys' basketball team, who had played (and won) a big game earlier that day. It was quite the fun times showing Rachel our wonderful Union and introducing her to all the people I have befriended here. After getting our fill of yummy cocktails the big group of us headed to Liquid, our favorite nightclub. We danced for hours on end and had a marvelous time! By 2 am our feet were killing us and we were all pooped so we headed home. As a reward, upon returning to my room Rachel and I indulged ourselves on the cupcakes she brought me from the airport! They were delicious!
Rach and I all ready for a night of fun!
Thursday morning I had to go to class and Rachel got to sleep in for a while, which I'm sure she appreciated. We then had lunch and headed out to explore Dundee by day. We met up with Esther and spent quality time shopping in H&M and wandering the city center. We went to McDonald's and ate delicious Cadbury Creme Egg McFlurries...so good, ice cream and cadbury, what more could you want!! We then had to go to the grocery store to get some supplies for the evenings activity...a zumba party followed by a potluck with a bunch of my friends (the same ones who we went out with the night before).
The wonderful Cadbury Creme Egg McFlurry!
So, Thursday evening, we all gathered in my livingroom/kitchen and Rach led us in about an hours worth of zumba fun! We all danced and wiggled and laughed quite a bit. After working up a sweat and quite an appetite we dug into the food. Rachel made a delicious pasta that her mom makes, and I made another killer fruit salad. We made sure to have haggis there so that Rachel could get to taste a traditional Scottish dish! It was such a fun evening.
Everyone enjoying delicious food and wonderful company at our Zumba potluck!
After stuffing our faces, Lauren, Rachel and I headed to our favorite pub down the road and grabbed a pint. We sat in the corner and chatted for quite a while and it was a very cozy, heartwarming evening. Oh, I must mention, that I am now the proud owner of a "borrowed" pint glass from the pub. I thought it was necessary for me to take it to bring back to the states...a proper pint glass. I'm pretty proud of myself for this.
Friday morning, after I had class, Rachel and I hopped on a bus and headed over to St. Andrews for a day of sight-seeing. One of Rachel's friends from Knox, Bess Cooley, is studying at St. Andrews for the semester so we met up with her and she showed us around. Let me just say that this trip to St. Andrews was much more pleasant than the last because it was lovely weather and not freezing cold and raining. We saw the cathedral, the castle, ate delicious ice cream and bought some lovely cupcakes to take with us back to Dundee. Also, I must mention that Bess is living in the same dorm where Will and Kate lived when they went to school at St. Andrews. Pretty cool if you ask me!
The Cathedral in St. Andrews when it is not raining...
Some tombs at the cathedral.
Delicious Ice Cream in St. Andrews.
Rachel and Bess walking by Bess' dorm (the one that Will and Kate lived in!).
Friday afternoon Rachel and I had some rest and relaxation time watching Big Bang Theory and eating popcorn and candy. We then had dinner consisting of leftover pasta and fruit. One of the highlights of Friday evening was getting to Skype with Abby (Rachel's sister). It was really fun to be with Rachel while talking to Abby. Such a nice Seyb cousin moment! After we finished skyping with Abby, Rach and I got ready for another night of dancing. We got to play some cards with my flatmate, Victor, and some of his friends before heading to the Union. Once again we danced to our hearts content. We decided to leave slightly earlier than many because we had to get up fairly early to catch our train to Edinburgh.
Saturday, we went to Edinburgh, where Rachel was flying to London from that evening. We spent the day wandering the Royal Mile, gazing a men in kilts, listening to bagpipe music and taking in all the old buildings. We ate lunch at a nice pub and even went to the Museum of Childhood, which had all kinds of old toys! We also got to see the outside of the castle, but did not go in due to restraints on time. Before we knew it Rachel had to catch her bus to the airport. It was such a fun few days that it was hard to say goodbye, even though I knew I would see her in a few short weeks when we go to Barcelona.
The Royal Mile in Edinburgh.
Men in kilts.
Rachel by the Edinburgh Castle.
Since my train back to Dundee was not for a few hours, I made my way to the Elephant House, which is the coffee shop where JK Rowling wrote Harry Potter, and had a lovely cup of hot chocolate while I read a book for film class. Before I knew it I was back on the train to Dundee sans Rachel.
The door inside of the bathroom at the Elephant House covered with scribbles by devoted Harry Potter fans.
I had such a wonderful time with her here and I cannot wait until we live it up in Barcelona! It was so nice to have a touch of Iowa here with me in Scotland.
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