skye high

I knew Scotland was scenic, I had no idea that this country's beauty could force you to unknowingly hold your breathe and desire to stay locked staring at the landscape infinitely.

Needless to say, I enjoyed my tour of the highlands.

I missed my train and nearly missed the tour Friday morning, but my punctual travel companions held the bus down for 15 minutes as I ran from Waverly station in Edinburgh up to the Haggis office on the Royal Mile. Our tour guides, Fergie and Gill, taught us even myth, legend, and folk tale remotely related to the sights. I dipped my face in an arctic river for 10 seconds. I climbed a muddy mountain to drink water out of the stream at the top, ran down the mountain with a mouth filled with stream water, and finally swallowed at the foot of the mountain all for a wish. I ran knee deep into a frigid Loch Ness, screamed "I believe", and heard Nessie holler back. Day after day, I fall harder for Scotland and her magical history.


Breathtaking views at Isle of Skye



Water for Wishes



Summoning Nessie

air 3

I broadcast live every Thursday from 12-2pm GMT/6-8am CDT from Airthrey Castle on Air 3, the only UK radio station that broadcasts from a castle.
Tune in to Indiependence, your weekly dose of indie-folk-pop: http://www.susaonline.org.uk/air3.






Airthrey Castle history: http://www.is.stir.ac.uk/libraries/collections/spcoll/airthrey/index.php

overdue update

I always do this.
I promise to write, swear that I will live for the moment I can update the internet world through my blog on every scent, sight, and sensation I experience.
Apologies.

Here is a rough update on my European adventures:

Edinburgh

I spent a lovely Friday (eleven am to one am) in Edinburgh back in February. I walked around this breathtaking city taking in the views with my friend from Vancouver, Christina Burns. After seeing some sights and mastering some highly sloped hills, Christina and I stopped for coffee at the Elephant House, a charming cafe decorated with everything elephants. The Elephant House's claim to fame: JK Rowling wrote Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in their chairs and on their napkins. Heaven for a Harry Potter fanatic.

We hit up some vintage shops where I got great flats and a black bag. Kate Moss makes appearances at one of our vintage stops every now and then.

After a lovely Italian dinner, Miss Burns and I met up with a group of friends from Stirling for the Literary Pub Tour, which took us from pub to pub exploring the drunken lives of Scotland's literary greats.

I am in love with Edinburgh.






London (March 5 - 8)

After arriving in King's Cross, I grabbed a much needed venti mocha from Starbucks, a chain disconnected from Stirling, and headed to my hotel. Wandering London made me feel at home. I miss the bustle of a multicultural city. Every student studying in the UK from U of I spent a weekend in London hosted by our study abroad advisors. The weekend included tours, fancy dinners, great nightlife, and lots and lots of incredible shopping. My favorites: THE TATE!, Sunday shopping on Brick Lane, and superb meals on U of I's tab. After one weekend, I've decided I must live in London for at least one year of my life. Hello, Grad School.







Dublin (March 19-22)

When I arrived in Dublin, my credit card, debit card, and ATM card had been frozen due to the country hop. Thankfully, Irish hospitality got me safely checked into my spectacular hotel. Comfy white linens, large wooden paneling, wooden floors, and one heck of an Irish breakfast. I spent the weekend with one of my close friends from U of I who is currently studying in Rome, Liz, along with 3 other Illini (2 studying in Rome, 1 on spring break). Highlights from the weekend: the Guinness Storehouse (and my first Guinness!), the electrifying nightlife, and reuniting with a good friend. Dublin just might be the world's drunkest city.









I head to the highlands tomorrow morning. I'll be traveling with Christina, a friend from California, a friend from Austria, and a friend from Hong Kong. We're scheduled to see Loch Ness, Isle of Skye & Glencoe on our Haggis Adventure.

http://www.haggisadventures.com/Scotland/Skye-High.html


Cheerio! xxxxx

I love when style travels in pairs.

He walked up to my aisle as I waited for the Aer Lingus flight to Dublin to finally take off. As he read the seat numbers, I thought "please, please, please sit next to me." His tousled brown hair, strong jaw, and warm eyes combined the looks of Patrick Dempsey and Colin Firth, but he was handsomer than both. Then, I saw his shoes. Black Brogue Lace Ups. This had to be true love. He had a vintage saddlebag with beautiful worn leather and a deep green suede jacket. Disappointment collapsed on my hopeful eyes as he took his seat on the other side of the aisle.

Excitement overcame me once again as two tan brogue lace ups came into view. She had a vintage, blue-gray bowling bag-esque carry on, a high waisted black mini skirt, and a polka dotted blouse. The small diamond on her left hand confirmed my excitement. This was a high fashion couple, forever growing older and more stylish together.

When the two made an appearance with a pink and white stripped weekender duffle on my flight back to Glasgow, I couldn't help but hope that one day I will be the feminine of a high fashion couple.



images courtesy of The Sartorialist