twenty-1

June 21st, 2010

Day 21

Early rise and shower at 4:30AM

Hour drive 

Hour wait for ferry

Hour and half ferry ride(included nap)

Six hour drive all around Scotland

Stop at Loch Ness home of the Loch Ness monster

Stop at a popular turnout with amazing view

Way too many bathroom stops

Arrive in Glasgow around 3pm

Eat at the Italian place next door

Walk around the city

Sleep

It wasn't a very exciting day, but I would like to thank Dramamine 

for knocking me out for all of the driving!

Traci

twenty

June 20th, 2010

Day 20

Life on the Isle of Harris is coming to an end and things are slowing down for now. My shins, ankles, and arch supports are experiencing the worst pain ever and it is extremely hard to walk. Other than that, I attempted to sleep in while a select few were going on a 6 mile hike(yesterday's was only 2 miles).  Since my attempt at sleeping in failed miserably I woke up and continued to read Dear John, I found Sarah and Noah were on a mission so I decided to jump in. Sarah, Noah, Billie, Katie, Julian, and I decided to venture out to experience a new church style - Scotland Free Presbyterian Church. First of all you need to understand that we are staying in a village of maybe 75 people, in their culture the Sabbath Day is only for multiple church visits and bible reading, there are no instruments, and many people speak the native language of Gallic. Not one word was spoken between members before or after church and no one even flinched throughout the entire service. Luckily only the songs were in their native language. It would be nice to say that I got something out of the hour long sermon, but all that was said(and repeated) was "you are going to hell- God is judging you."In other words, not a whole lot was taken from that service other than a great cultural experience. Apparently words spread fast throughout the viliages because 4 hours later everyone knew that there were Americans in church.

Since it was our free day(packing day) Sarah, Christina, and I took a short walk to the pier and ended up chatting it up on the rocks. It was the perfect end to our last night on Harris. Well, that and burgers were the perfect end.

Traci

Nineteen

June 19th, 2010


Day 19


Today the clouds stayed away and we got our well-needed sunshine once again. After lunch we drove along the coast and off to an island. The teachers said "Alright, here we are, it is an hour hike to the destination. See you there." We were all off in multiple directions to an unknown landmark over a few miles of mountains, sheep, rocks, and bogs. After thinking we were all lost and unsure of our mysterious destination, we spotted the tip of a lighthouse! Up and over more mountains(not hills), having many close encounters with free roaming sheep, climbing a large rock wall, and way too much sweat, we reached our destination! It was well worth it! The old lighthouse seemed to have someone/thing inhabiting it recently. Maybe it was just storage but there arcade games, a pool table and a tanning booth all under under dirt and dust. It was easy to say that the sheep had made this their new home. After a little exploring we were off and back to the vans. Al(my graphic design professor) cooked us chicken chow mein which was absolutely amazing and I happened to spill a good amount on my jacket. Looks like that stain will have to stay there until the next time I can do laundry which could be never.


Traci

note: the size of the person on top of the mountain

Eighteen

June 18th, 2010

Day 18

Wow, sadly I slept through much of the day. We ventured through the  Callanish Standing Stone,  The Dun Carloway Stone House, and The Blackhouse Villiage. I saw lots of sheep from a distance, explored a rock beach, and climbed historic homes. I slept thr entire two hour car ride there and back. we came back and I read a little more of my book(Dear John) and ate way too many tacos. I ended up falling asleep immediately after I finished supper(at 10PM) and didn't wake up until 10AM(on the 19th). In other words I'm writing this a little late.

Traci

Seventeen

June 17th, 2010

Day 17

I'm rooming with Amanda, Ingrid, and Billie which is a really nice and quiet change. I needed to take a step away from some of the drama filled women. After our Chicken noodle soup lunch which was made from chicken from a can(terrible), We went explored rocks, beaches, and drove through incredible mountains(eve up in the clouds).  Our hostel is a fishing theme fully equipped with child-like bunkbeds, ship-like doors, driftwood decorations, and some porthole windows.  While driving, we almost ran into a ridiculous amount of sheep which roam free around here, got in multiple car accidents since roads don't have lanes, and found many jellyfish on the beach. It's crazy to see how the land here is so similar to Alaska. The weather is amazing(light sweatshirt jacket weather). I thought it was really interesting that in all of Scotland the sun sets around midnight and rises at 2AM; I had never expected that! The roads here are so intense since there aren't any lanes so when a car meets another there isn't anywhere to move over with no shoulders(instead they occasionally have 'passing places'). Also the roads are continuously going up, down, and winding around the mountains, but it creates the best views! The teachers cooked up some beef stroganoff and I helped with dishes since I am on dishes duty for the day. After we all enjoyed lounging around the lofted living room to bluegrass music and card games. I had the perfect end to the night with Noah reading a Bible story(Matthew 13) to Katie and I and finished with talking about the amazing things God can do through people. I'm really starting to miss my family, friends, and animals! I love you all so much! 

Traci

I'm really curious to see how my roommates unpacked our Fargo house. I'm going to have so much work ahead of me when I get back since all of my belongings(bed, clothes, and more) are all stored in the garage while my room is completely bare. Oh, goodness

Sixteen

June 16th, 2010

Day 16

Traveling, traveling, traveling. Wake up at 7:30, shower, pack, pack a lunch, drive five hours, two hour wait, three hour ferry ride, two hour drive, and arrive at 11:00PM in Leverburgh(founder of Lever 2000 soap was born here), Isle of Harris, Scotland(population 150?). Thank goodness for Dramamine which knocked me out for most of the day. Once we came to our hostel(Am Botham Bunk House) we chilled to some music and got settled in. Goodnight.

Traci

Fifteen

June 15th, 2010

Day Fifteen

Our first free day was today so I had to celebrate by sleeping in, being lazy, and then heading to town. First of all, I met a cute old man at the bus stop who then payed for my fare! Once I got to High Street I developed a roll of film from my new plastic camera, did a little shopping and ran into Sarah, Amber, and Justin. After grabbing a muffin we ventured to the cliffs where we explored and climbed until we had to make the 3 mile trek back for supper. After Supper went back and rock climbed for the next 4 hours! It was easily one of thebest days that I have had here!! I wish I could go more in depth, but we are packing up and leaving the castle tomorrow morning. I'm extremely sad to leave but the Isle of Harris is calling our names! I'll be without internet for the whole 4 or 5 days while I'm there and to add to it, we have to pay a lot for internet in Glasgow so I probably won't be online there either! Hopefully Amsterdam will be better...

Traci

what a wonderful day at the cliffs! the path is on the left and continues down around 100ft and then comes back up to where Amber is. I climbed to where she is and continued to the left(over the bridge) an around on a different trail.