Guest Blog by Dan - The Angel's Share

SCOTLAND

Great scenery. Great accent. Great booze.

Great trip.

This was my third time in Scotland – which is three times as many times as I've been to most places in Europe. I keep coming back for a few reasons – some sentimentality (it was the first place I went besides London on my first trip abroad); some practical (beautiful nature, charming cities, really nice people); and some scotch-related (I love scotch).

We flew to Edinburgh on a Friday, still tipsy from our “Will & Kate Commemorative Champagne” toast(s) at Hyde Park earlier that day. Saturday morning we traipsed around town some, then hiked up to “Arthur's Seat”, a big volcanic rock formation just outside the city center, with commanding views of the city and water. The water is known as the Firth of Forth (it's just a bay), but Firth of Forth is a much better name than “Edinburgh Bay” so I'm glad they went in that direction.

Dinner was at a pub – haggis, neeps, and tatties for me (translation: sheep guts and two other more normal things); and a burger for Selena (typical American). Washed down with a few pints of Belhaven's Best, which would probably be the best in many places outside of Belhaven too (wherever that is). It's good beer, is what I'm saying.

For Sunday, we had a bus tour booked. It took us up to the highlands, to Stirling Castle (where all the “Braveheart” stuff went down), then to Loch Lomond where we ate lunch beside the loch (lake). Rumbling up and down through bumpy roads took quite a toll on poor Selena's weak stomach, which she partially emptied just before lunch. She came off better than a Swedish lady on our tour, who forced the driver to pull over in the middle of nowhere so she could wretch on the side of the road. You can't trust Swedes on a bus tour, is what I've always said.

The last stop on the tour was at Glengoyne Distillery, a small scotch whisky distillery not far from Glasgow. We got a couple free drams and a great tour from a Scotsman named Arthur, whose verbal charm was only exceeded by his plaid pants. It actually was a really interesting tour, less slick and corporate than you'd get at a larger place. Sadly, Glengoyne is made without peat smoke, which is what gives scotch is distinctive smokey (and delicious) flavor. So kind of like eating pizza without any cheese – what's the point?

On Monday, we toured Edinburgh Castle (loads to see there – a really impressive site). Then we hiked up to Calton Hill, which is another volcanic hill just outside of town with commanding views of everything. It also has a collection of monuments – some to Scottish philosophers and poets (David Hume, Robert Burns) and one odd one which looks like the front of the Parthenon in Greece, minus any actual building behind it (just columns). Great spot for pictures at least.

And that was that – except for the bargain on scotch I got at the duty free in Edinburgh Airport. That was truly a sweet (and smokey) way to end a great trip.

For pictures click here

Wills + Kate = One Big Party

The big day was finally upon us! Dan and I decided to go watch the festivities in Hyde Park where they would be broadcasting the wedding on huge screens. We had no desire to camp out to catch a 3 second glimpse of a carriage, but still wanted to be part of the atmosphere, and Hyde park is within walking distance of our place. I read an article that quoted the mayor of London stating that he encouraged Londoners to dress up for the occasion, as if we were really guests at the wedding. Even though I've know about this wedding since before I even moved here, I still ran out to time to buy a proper fascinator for the big event. A fascinator, I recently learned is what they call those crazy hats that seem to be fastened to your head. So I had to settle for wearing my straw beach hat. I pared that with this navy blue dress I had purchased on Steinway in Queens from Strawberry Jam, which just so happened to bare a resemblance to Kate engagement photo dress. Dan dressed up as well in a sweater and suit in, accompanied by his new favorite hat. I know people have been saying that it's silly all this for a a wedding. But if I've learned anything in my two months here its that Londoners love to party! Most people don't care about the monarchy, but simply were glad for a day off work and a reason to drink in the middle of the day. In trying to completing immerse ourselves in the surrounding culture, Dan and I happily partook in this revelry. We brought a bottle of champagne and plastic cups and toasted to the happy couple surrounded by 100,000 other party goers. It was a fantastic time. The screens were gigantic so you could sit down and see from a long distance off, there were stalls selling drinks and food, and importantly (at least for me) there were hundreds of porta potties! People ranged in dress to causal jeans and t-shirts, to full on wedding dresses and tiaras. The crowd cheered and waved flags as the procession went by and the couple share their kiss on the balcony. And in a moment of divine intervention, the clouds parted exactly as Kate made it up to the alter. I feel really lucky to be have been in London to witness such a unique event.

 Photos here: Royal Wedding