Day 3: Excited in Edinburgh!

Our bus meandered along the Royal Mile toward an imposing castle and medieval fortress.  There were charming shops & cafes which lured our noses to press against the bus glass as bagpipers filled our ears with their Scottish pride, and we were told to watch for the birthplace of Alexander Graham Bell, the home of theologian John Knox, and even the Elephant Cafe where J.K. Rowling wrote her manuscript for the first Harry Potter novel!  It was a relief to remove the window glass that was separating us from using our own five senses to take it all in!

Edinburgh is the ancient and historic capital of Scotland whose skyline is dominated by its magnificent castle, built on volcanic rock, which has formed an important defensive position since at least the 6th century.  Many great kings and queens have made the city their home, and in 1128 King David I bestowed on it a charter making it a royal burgh.  I have to confess that I've never associated a "King David" with being a ruler in Scotland, but when looking it up, his name is right there.  Though these pictures don't show it well (I was limited to my iphone camera on this day!), the castle affords a fantastic view of the monuments & city below, & out towards the soft, cloud-hedged horizon.  There were countless spots around the castle grounds which gave breathtaking views.  The crown jewels were a highlight too: ermined trimmed crown, a bejeweled sword and stunning diamond necklace as well as various historical hiccups which caused these and other national possessions to be "lost" & then unexpectedly rediscovered.  St. Margaret's chapel is among the oldest buildings still standing in its original form on the grounds; it was built in the early 12th century in honor of King David's mother, Margaret.  There are fantastic towers at various points along the fortified wall which can convince just about any imagination that you're actually walking along history's page, or at least on the set of Braveheart!

Ashley, Alyssa, Zadie, Nicole & Emilie leaning on one of the countless canons around the castle walls.

Ashley & Emilie with our local Edinburgh guide

After the canon boomed its 1:00 time call, a daily occurrence, we wandered back the Royal Mile & turned left into a small & unassuming alley directly below the small sign pictured above.  It opened into a cozy courtyard paved with thought-full and compelling quotes just waiting to be pondered.  With my journal & pen in hand, paired with the tea shoppe on the other side, it was enough to keep me very happy for days!  I still know little about the origins of the "museum" - who first had the idea & then went to the effort of recording the words in concrete - it was interesting to consider what he or she was hoping to inspire or accomplish by enshrining & proclaiming the insightful words of others?  There were many crowds walking right over the words never even noticing what was really below their feet,  nonetheless, it was not wasted on our group and we enjoyed reading every one!  To read that "Freedome is a noble thing" and was thought to be so, at least by one John Barbour, even in the 1300s, is a humbling realization when considered in the context of our world's history which took far too many centuries to produce a land where it's finally true, and even took our own country too long to figure out how to ensure that it would be available to all her sons and daughters.  Of the many themes man has wrestled throughout time, this is at the heart & is the essence of most.  It's a privilege to be present when a young mind grasps early insights into age old struggles, and I count it gain to recall these student's searching eyes & thoughtful expressions as they digested this idea and the countless others strewn throughout this concrete garden blooming with wisdom and possibility.

 In this lovely setting we had the pleasure of meeting two dear friends of Miss Schroeder's, Dr. Jaime Baxter and Angelos (can't believe  I don't have his last name!).  It is such a disappointment that I somehow have no picture of either!  As a Scotch linguist, and independent researcher, Jaime is fluent in many languages (Latin, Greek, Gaelic, Spanish, French, Scottish English & even a few more I can't recall!) with a PhD in Spanish Linguistics & Latin American culture, he is also a member of the Scottish National Party, and believes passionately in Scottish independence; he gripped students with his zeal (& of course, his accent too!).  

Angelos served in Her Majesty's Royal Navy from age 16 to 23, during which he sailed in and around the world and collected many adventures and experiences that ultimately led him to find God in the process; as a relatively new Christian, he has recently accepted the call to devote his life to Christ by serving in an Orthodox monastery in upstate New York.  He begins his service in September and we wish him all the very best, including a reason for him to come west & visit Denver!!  

From the Writer's Garden, we followed our new friends to a splendid park where we sat in the grass eating pasties & crisps and enjoyed lengthy conversation during which we had many questions for them to answer on a wide range of subjects.  We talked while the sun was shining & didn't stop when the rain poured - we just pulled on our jackets & huddled close under a massive sheltering tree.  Jaime & Angelos thoroughly enjoyed our student's thoughtful questions and their attentive interest to everything shared.  Eventually the rain trickled off and we began our walk back toward where we began, conversation & questions still lingering.  We were disappointed to part company, but offered our goodbyes with hugs & handshakes, and promises of future correspondence.  Angelos would meet up with us later that same night to give us a fun & lengthy night tour of his beloved Glasgow.  Before returning for dinner however, we stopped at the Sir Walter Scott Monument for a picture.  It's the largest monument made in honor of a novelist in the world.  Among his several works, students read his novel, Ivanhoe, during their online class earlier in the summer.

The "bendy bridge" in Glasgow at night!!