Fun With Friends

They have long since gone home but the memories will last. The middle of June was a fun time for us as some friends from Kalispell came to visit. We had a great time showing them around and they even talked us into taking a quick trip to Ireland. It didn't take much arm twisting as Dublin means Guinness brewery... mmm beer.


Much of their trip we took them to sights Janna and I have seen before. This actually worked out well as we would send them off the see the touristy bits whilst Janna and I explored the not-so-touristy bit around the touristy bits.
We also got to see lots of new sights like the magnificent (insert sarcasm) Antonine Wall. After a long hike through a field, across a trash dump, through some trees, under a train track, and across a cow field we finally found this amazing sight. Which turned out the be a ditch and some holes in the ground. But it was likely the oldest ditch we have ever seen. I know I am forever changed. ;)



One of days (they have all blurred together) we headed south and had abbey day. On this trip we saw Melrose Abbey, Dryburgh Abbey (Echo Echo Echo), Jedburgh Abbey, and Kelso Abbey.


Then off to Ireland. We saw a church (Christ Church Cathedral - Janna edit) and some other crap (Trinity College - Janna edit), but the only thing that really counts is the Guinness Storeroom. A tip for the guys... it is always a good idea to bring your non-beer liking wife as you then get two pints of that fresh godly nectar.


For dinner we had a traditional Irish meal that came with some music and dancing and more Guinness. While that was cool, I think the best part if the trip was the street performers competition (sorry Ryan). We had no idea such an event was taking place, but it turned out to be a very memorable occasion... especially when someone you know gets called onto the stage. Sorry Ryan but that was darn funny. (For those of you that are confused, our friend is also named Ryan).

Just like Janna's folks, we took them up to Arthur's Seat on the last day. Unfortunately the view wasn't quite as good. Nonetheless a we had a great time. Can't wait to get home and crack a beer back in Kalispell.

Love to Dance...Crap

I never thought I would enjoy going to a dance, but there is a time for everything. Janna’s school recently held a ceilidh (Kay-Lee). It is a traditional Scottish dance and the closest thing I can relate it to is a square dance. There is an announcer that teaches each dance and walks everyone through the motions. It was an absolute blast, especially since there were people from all over the world.


The only negative was that in a ceilidh you rarely dance with your partner as you switch up a lot and Janna was looking good that day.

Nothing Major

Sorry for not posting in a while. Our grand adventures have been put on hold for a while. Janna has been working long hours to finish up the semester. I can hardly believe a semester has passed. By next Friday she will have finished two major tests and five papers.

Nonetheless we have gotten out a bit. The city center has gotten very festive. A skating rink and carnival rides have been set up in Princes Street Gardens and a German Christmas market appeared near the art Museum. Janna orginized an outing with some of her classmates to the lighting of the tree and the opening of the Christmas festivities. We also went out one evening with a German classmate of Janna's to the German market. Christmas markets are a big deal in Germany. So big that they don't have room for them all and many of the booth owners come to other contries like Scotland. It was very neat to hear about the German Christmas traditions right from a German. This really whetted our appetite for our trip to Germany with the folks, where we will see German Christmas markets in Germany.



Otherwise we have just taken random walks around town and up into the craigs (hills on the edge of town).



When we get homesick we are able to visit a little slice of America. Yes Edinburgh has a Costco. When I walk in the door I feel at home, they even have American hot dogs. It is great.



We are looking forward to our family getting here. Next week we will be traveling to Cambridge for a day to attend my company's Christmas party. When we return D will be hear to visit and the folks will come a few days later. We can't wait to see the family and show them around our town.

Drop Kick Murphy's

This weekend we went to dinner at one of Janna's classmate's flat. She is a Canadian who is dating a pilot in the Royal Air Force. Apparently the RAF train in some remote bases in Canada and the guys often get Canadian girlfriends. Nonetheless they are a great couple and the food was amazing. After dinner we went to an underground pub called Drop Kick Murphy's. Edinburgh is a unique city in the sense that it is built up to reach the castle. Basically there is a massive ramp about a mile long that leads to the castle (which was built on top of a big volcanic rock). The ramp isn't solid earth, but a series of stacked archways and vaults. These vaults have a very gruesome past and are supposedly haunted, but I'll get into that another time. Now most of these vaults are closed off, but some house things like pubs. Drop Kick Murphy's is a long room with an arched ceiling made of stone. The shape reminded me of standing in dad's miracle span shed. It was a really amazing place that was only ruined by the band trying to play American music. I shouldn't be too hard on them as their renditions of "Sweet Home Alabama" and "Brown Eyed Girl" where rather good and we enjoyed hearing a little piece of home. But then they attempted "The Gambler" by Kenny Rogers. Oh My. They have ruined that song for me for life. I almost had to leave, but RAF guy bought me some Scotch so I endured. Though the Scotch went down fast. I am still having nightmares.....ya gotta know when ta hold em.....ahhhhh......ya gotta know when ta fold em......mercy please mercy..........ya gotta know when to walk away............will it ever end...............

Almost forgot. I have to tell a funny story (maybe only funny to me). The RAF guy and I had a redneck experience. They bought a couch from some guy and I was asked to help pick it up. Since no one has a truck around here thay had to rent a van. When he picked it up he found the shortest van man has ever made. When we stuffed in the couch it hung out about halfway. Now in Montana this would be no big deal, but in the UK this is a big no no. But it was late and no other vans were available so what the hell. After strapping on the only bungee he had away we went. The worst part was the van had a wall behind the seats so we couldn't see the couch. Now I almost wish the couch had fallen out as that would make a great story. But as a consolation I offer you the only guy in Edinburgh who wears a baseball cap (me) getting out at stop lights to check our cargo. I almost felt at home.