Wednesday, June 22, 2005

Greetings from Edinburgh!

Yes! We made it!! From Bethany parking lot, you know we headed down I-90 – we made it to Rockford where one of the inside dual tires blew up. Slight detour into Rockford where within 25 minutes, the limo bus was all fixed up and we were off again! Great lesson for the kids learning that’s why we leave extra time – just in case!!

Drivers dropped us off right at the international terminal for American Airlines, where we were all checked in so quickly, suitcases to the x-ray machine, through security and the short hike to our gate. Great, smooth flight and our seats were well laid out in two main groups. A couple of movies, a couple of meals, a couple of us got a couple winks of sleep, and 7 hours later we touched down in Glasgow. A fine and easy experience getting through immigration and gathering our 40 pieces of checked luggage. Sure enough, just outside the baggage claim was our tour host for the entire trip, Christopher Robin Fox “Pooh Bear”. Struggled through initial orientation with the ATM and cashing traveler checks dragged the bags to the bus where Tony, our driver, was waiting for us. Lovely deluxe motorcoach (not to be confused with a bus – according to Tony!). Tony even has some cool bottles of water available for 50 pence.

Quick cruise over to meet our local city guide, Kit, who gave us a nice tour of the Burrell Collection, a fantastic art collection of all types: original Degas, Manet, Cezanne, Rodan as well as some beautiful tapestries. Was fun to try to decipher the ancient languages and match them up with the pictures. And, of course, there was a chance to shop in the gift shop!

Kit then narrated a drive around the city of Glasgow, and having a good feel for this industrial city, we dropped her off and we headed for Edinburgh. Christopher Robin was giving us some fun facts as we were off on the motorway, and talked the bus, save for about 7 folks, into a nice snooze. Pulled into the beautiful downtown and historic Edinburgh, dropped off on Princes Street for a couple hours of shopping and a bite to eat. Back onto the bus, all 36 of us, and up the road where our homestay hosts met us and snarfed away the kids.

We’re pooped, glad to be here, and anxious for the two performances tomorrow! Stay tuned!

Til next time,

SUE