Sunday, June 6, 2010

All good things must come to an end.

My whistle-stop Highland Fling of Scotland is officially over. I have to say, it was quite exhilarating and exhausting at the same time; there’s so much to say, I’m not quite sure what to say!

Thursday found me in Loch Lomond and I visited those bonnie, bonnie banks on Friday morning. Hosted very generously by a friend and her family, I felt very welcomed into her environment. The Strathclyde bit of Scotland is quite lovely, very quaint. We saw Loch Lomond by shore and by sea; I’ve decided that boats are the best way to properly see any impressive body of water. Of course, Loch Lomond only became a tourist hot-spot because of the song. Scotland is totally worth singing about, it has to be said! Although I totally recommend finding the quieter places where cameras and passport-holders aren’t to be seen for miles, any traveler would be remiss if they skipped the “big” sites. Short, but sweet, I was very happy to see the famous loch and listen to Runrig’s fantastic cover of the ballad along the way.

Friday night I was in Livingston, staying with another generous friend and her family, and on Saturday set off for Linlithgow Palace. Ancestral home to Mary Queen of Scots, this spot was on my top list. As one would expect from a Historic Scotland site, it didn’t disappoint. Ruined castles have a beauty all their own. There’s also a working Church of Scotland called St. Michael’s on the grounds as well. Whist we were traipsing around the town, we had the good fortune to happen upon a wedding. Our trio picked a nonchalant spot and watched the whole ceremony unfold. Can you imagine getting married in a church that was dedicated in 1242? Unbelievable!

Now, I’m back in St. Andrews before flying out of Glasgow on Thursday. It’s hard to believe that my semester abroad is in its last few days. Where does the time go? I’m keeping myself together very well, all things considered, and only cry about leaving this beautiful country when no one is looking. Everyone is being so kind and endearing, sending me off with their good wishes and love. I’m so lucky to have found such a welcoming place, so lucky to have made a temporary home out of Scotland.

PS. Final marks are in and I passed both my modules! By the skin of my teeth in one of them, but I passed! I’ve been going back and forth in my mind, wondering if I should have spent more time in the library and so on. But, you know, the life lessons I’m coming away with were not only harder to study, but also more worthwhile in the end. How’s that for a student work-ethic?







No comments:

Post a Comment