Almost Midterm

I know it's been awhile since I last posted, and I don't really have any good excuses. I would say that I've been too busy, but I've watched a few too many movies in the past two weeks to claim that. I haven't really known what to write, and I haven't taken the time to figure it out. But I have a few moments now before eating with my flat mates and their boyfriends to do my best.

Two weekends ago, I went to the west coast of Scotland with three of my flatmates. We traveled by bus, ferry and train during this trip. We took the bus to Oban and that is where we stayed for two nights in a Backpackers (which is a hostel but cheaper). Saturday we took the ferry to the Isle of Mull and went to its capital, Tobermory. It was raining when we awoke in the morning, and it did not stop for the rest of the day. But we were willing to make the most of it. We took the ferry over in the morning to the Isle of Mull and then the bus to Tobermory. However, when we arrived we found out that everything had just switched over to winter hours and was closed on Saturdays which made no sense whatsoever to us that they would cut hours on the weekend, but I digress. So our plans of going to the distillery, museum and visitor center were ruined. But the chocolate shop was still open! We went on what was supposed to be a half hour walk to find a lighthouse and it turned into an hour walk through a very, very muddy trail. We had not planned on going on any hikes and especially not one as muddy as this. I'll let the pictures speak for this one.

On Tobermory: walk to lighthouse

It was a little muddy...

The lighthouse we didn't get to :(

The next day we spent in Oban. It was overcast but it didn't rain, so we were happy. The distillery was closed on Sundays in Oban, so again we were not able to warm our spirits. We did see the sun for about 10 minutes though which helped a little bit. Again, I'll let the pictures tell the story.

Our reflection in the Whiskey Shop window

Outside the McCaig's Tower overlooking the bay

McCaig's Tower

We got a little dirty but we still had fun!

SUN!!

Dunollie Castle (ruin)

But you could still climb a staircase!

Other than that there isn't much to report. Right now, we are in midterms week, so a lot of students have papers due this week which means the library has been extra busy. I have my first paper due Friday, but I finished Tuesday, so I'm ahead of the game. Kindof. After this Friday, we are on our autumn break. We have an entire week off of school. To me and my flatmates this seems a little ridiculous because we have only been in school for a few weeks and we get a whole week off. However, it is a nice break for those of us who are on exchange because it gives us some time to travel. I will be going to the very north of Scotland on a road trip with four other people. Not much is planned other than we leave Saturday morning at half 9 (9:30am), drive to Ullapool, Isle of Orkney by Tuesday and home Thursday sometime. I'll let you know more about that when I get back, but I'll need some time seeing as I have two papers due shortly after we get back. So I beg for some patience :)

Dinner I made for two of my flat mates :)

Myths

As many of you are aware of, Scotland is a place known for its myths and legends. One of the myths is that swans are enchanted princesses. If that's the case, than the University of Stirling has a lot of drama going on in the loch with the multitude of swans that reside there. 

But my flat mates and I have had more than just sightings of swans on the loch. We decided to go on our own little excursion to the forest behind campus. While we were there, we were shrouded in fog. At times, we couldn't see five feet in front of us. On top of the mist, it was raining. Of course when we left the flat, it wasn't doing anything in town, so I decided that I didn't need a rain jacket. Boy was I wrong and did I ever pay for it. Lucky for me though, my flat mates had my back. Literally. Lauren brought an extra jacket which I donned.

While we wandered through the forest trying to avoid stepping in the puddles that had pooled in the paths, I looked to the left and saw a stone wall higher than my head covered in moss. I turned to the right and saw the same. I could hear the people in front and behind me, but I could not see them. The mist was heaviest here and it was almost like breathing water. It would not have surprised me if a fairy or some other mythical creature popped out from behind a tree.

But alas, no such thing happened.

I did, however, turn to Carin  and say that I felt like I was in a scene from LOTR or on a quest or something fantastical like that. She agreed.

I should probably mention it wasn't just the six of us wandering through the forest behind campus on our own. We were with the Nature Society. So at least 10 other people were there besides us and of those a couple had walked the trails before and knew where they were going. So not as mysterious or adventurous as I would like to imagine. But it was fun nonetheless. And Scotland is just as beautiful if not more so in the rain as it is when it's a beautiful, sunny day.

My flat mates!!