Ireland and Scotland- It's a wrap! (Janine)

I just finished reviewing every blog post, and I can now say it's official: we had the most fabulous trip ever! It was such a joy to lead this trip and get to know the terrific people in our group!

Since I spent so much time taking Happy People pictures and Group Shots, I've decided to share some of them here.

Thanks to our tour guide Barbara and my co-leader Stephanie. You were both beyond wonderful! And thanks also to Nicole Gable, whose meticulous attention to detail made this trip such a rousing success!

And now for some pictures . . .

Eric Cosmides Day 9

Captain's log, stardate 52315.9,

Final day of the trip, we woke up at 05:00 to eat and load the bus by 06:00. We then departed for the Glasgow Airport. Our tour guide saw us off at the airline check in desk and we worked our way though security to the gate. We got on the plane and the flight lasted about 7.5 hours and we landed in Philadelphia. After the perilous journey through what is called "U.S Customs", we approached the gates of oblivion, better known as "U.S Airport Security" the goblin like gate guards, also known as "TSA Officers" made sure that I, as a traveling diabetic, wasn't attempting to smuggle illicit goods into the country. We then took a bus though the god awful airport that stole our US Airways hub from us, to Terminal F, where we boarded our tiny jet back to Pittsburgh. I would like to thank our tour guide Barbra and our faculty Dr. Bayer and Professor Illig for getting us there and back in one piece. I would also like to thank La Roche College and Nicole Gable for providing us the opportunity to travel abroad. I am glad to be back Stateside, but I can say that I already miss the atmosphere of Ireland and Scotland.

Eric Cosmides Day 8

Captain's log, stardate 52215.8,

Today we toured the Scottish Parliament which was quite interesting because it is a relatively new building. The Scotland Act of 1998 gave approval for the construction of a parliament building in Edinburgh. Architects designed the campus area of the parliament to look like a branch of a tree with the buildings designed with leaves on the roof. The buildings have a lot of windows on them because the Scottish government believes that their governing process should be transparent. Therefore, they invite people to come in on any day that parliament is in session to view the proceedings from a gallery area. We were able to go on to the debating floor, which provided an interesting view to the seats in the debating chamber. After our tour we began to hike up Arthur's seat which was a very intense activity. The summit is about 850 feet high which does not qualify it as a mountain but it sure felt like I was climbing one. Once we reached the top, the views of Edinburgh were spectacular, you could see every part of the city like it was one giant panorama photo. We stayed to enjoy the views and began our decent. After we got to the bottom we walked to the Prince's Street Gardens which was kind of a let down seeing as none of the flowers had bloomed yet, but we did see the Scott Monument which was pretty magnificent in its size and architecture. We then went to the hotel to get ready for our final dinner in Scotland, we ate at The Beehive Inn where we had salad and chicken for dinner. It was a nice way to conclude the day.

last day-Tina

Wow I cannot believe are trip is already over. This trip went so fast it's crazy. I had so much fun on this trip. Our tour guide Barbra was amazing she was very funny and it was very interesting hearing all she knew about where we visited. Ireland was so beautiful I really enjoyed the cliffs of moher it was beautiful. I really enjoyed Scotland as well. Climbing Arthur's Seat was nerve racking but  I'm so glad I did it. The views from the top was amazing. I really can't believe It's over already. I would definitely like to go back to both Ireland and Scotland one day. it feels good to be back in Pittsburgh. I had a lot of fun these last ten days with the whole group.  I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to come on this trip. I really had a blast. 

Last day--Erin Parkinson

This entire trip has been so amazing! I'm so grateful to have had this experience and be able to go to two countries in ten days! It's so awesome that I have been able to see so many places and learn so many new things about Ireland and Scotland, and their history, cities, and citizens. I am so grateful for everything that Barbara, Janine, Steph, and Nicole planned, they were outstanding leaders on this whole trip. Traveling has been a little tiresome but every flight went without issue which was great! I'm just so thankful for this amazing opportunity. I have made so many memories and have had such a great time with everybody! Home at last after this day of traveling!

Ethan Heinl Final Remarks

I can truly say that this trip has been an incredible experience. It allowed me to explore the world in a way I never would have been able to otherwise. My favorite events/moments from the trip were:
·Viewing the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland
·Exploring the city beneath Edinburgh through Mary King's Close
·Exploring Edinburgh Castle
·Shopping on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh and interacting with locals
·And last, but surely not least, learning authentic Scottish dancing with Hollie
This truly was an amazing experience, and I am grateful I was able to finally explore the world beyond our own country and truly experience it.

Signing off for the last time,
-Ethan Heinl

Flight home - Erin D

It was an amazing trip. It was definitely a once in a lifetime and an experience I will never forget. I made new friends and became closer with ones I had previously. I'm sad to be going home but also happy as well. I hope one day to go back but who knows! We had a great tour guide and our professors were beyond amazing!!! 

Tia- home

Just landed in the states so happy and sad at the same time. It was such a fun time. It was a once in a life time experience and I'm so glad that I was able to go and go with a good group of people. I made new friends and got to experience new things as well. 

Rita- Cheers Europe!

Well its been fun! We had some great adventures, awesome stories to tell, and most of all fantastic memories. I see you Pittsburgh!

Trip is coming to an end- Amanda Dugan

Even though today was just the travel-home-day, I wanted to sum up my experience. 

This trip was a once-in-a-lifetime trip for most people. The things we got to see and do were amazing. I'm so grateful for this experience and the memories I got to make in Ireland and Scotland with such a great group of people. 

I want to thank all of the faculty involved in planning and organizing the trip, especially Nicole, Janine, and Steph. Thank you for putting up with all the stress for our sakes! 

It was just a great experience and words can't begin to express how thankful I am for it. 

Although I'm happy to be home, I am sad that this experience must come to an end. 

day 8

Today was our last day in Scotland. We had a nice your of the Scottish parliament got to hear about what they do and that was very interesting. After we hiked up Arthur's Seat which was absolutely beautiful. There were such great views and could see the castle it was awesome. To end our trip we ate at the Beehive Inn and it was delicious. I can't believe our trip is over already. This trip went so fast. I am going to miss Ireland and Scotland. 

Rita- Final Day!

Well we had out last day in Scotland! We finished up the trip by visiting the Parliament building and climbing Arthur's Seat.

While most of the group climbed to the top, I only was able to climb about a tenth of it before having to walk back to the bottom.

Thank you Scotland for being a beautiful and culture- filled country.

Cheers to you Scotland!

Oh and did I mention I saw the birthplace of Harry Potter?

Last day! - Erin D

We ended our last day with taking a climb to Arthur's seat. While not all of us made it to the top but the views that I personally saw were very interesting. And we later had a good dinner at the beehive. Definitely was a trip of a lifetime and I am sad to be going home but I will never forget this trip.

Last Day!-Hillary

We started our day by attending the Scottish Parliament. Eric mirelles, the architect, is pure genius. I was amazed by the modern wood and gray cement walls, amazing sculpted walls that resembled boats, and different objects that could be viewed according to perspective. I am very interested in researching this particular architect to see more of his fine works. 

Then we walked towards Arthur's Seat where a few of us stayed for a little due to lack of mobility. Arthur's Seat is actually a dormant volcano and the highest point of Edinburgh, Scotland. I saw some great pictures from the top and from where we hiked to, it was beautiful as well. Then we traveled to the royal mile where we shopped and I finally tried the falafel. Apparently falafel is a big meal here and I can tell why! 

After a few hours of free time we were off to the beehive for our farewell dinner. What a perfect end to a perfect trip. 

I learned a lot about famous literary people of Ireland and Scotland, as well as history about my ancestors which was one of my main objectives of this trip. I had experiences I never had before and I really learned a lot about myself, others, and history on this trip. 

Day 8 Scotland--Erin Parkinson

Today was an awesome last day in Edinburgh. We had a tour of parliament which was very interesting. The architecture is both beautiful and symbolic to Scotland which is pretty cool. After touring parliament, we climbed Arthur's seat, which was pretty awesome but also scary at the same time. The wind was a little terrifying at times, especially on the hike down. The views once you got to the top were stunning, you could see the whole city. 

We had dinner at the beehive which was delicious.

This whole trip has been spectacular, I've seen so many things and have learned so much information. I'm so grateful to have had this opportunity and visit these countries. I've loved this trip but I am also ready to go home too.

--Erin 

Last Day- Sarah

This trip flew by! Today we toured Parliament and climbed Arthur's Seat. Learning about the architectural style of the Parliament building was neat. They built in a lot of symbols that are important to the Scottish people. They also built around an older building. 

Arthur's Seat was very interesting. I had an amazing time and actually felt like I was in shape. I took the steep, stony path to the top. We took a break at the second highest incline and sat an enjoyed the view.

After sitting, chatting and waiting for the others we took on the challenge of climbing the highest point. It was extremely windy and a little frightening. I am not fond of heights but was strangely not afraid at the top. The view was spectacular and everything was just so green and blue. I would definitely climb it again. 

I miss my family and my puppy Sadie but I do not want to leave. Scotland and Ireland were equally beautiful and quaint. I absolutely love it here and feel incredibly blessed to have been able to go on this trip. I made new friends, learned more about myself, and I learned more about the two different cultures. It's difficult to leave your country, a comfortable place, and be flipped and transported to a different atmosphere. Being emerged into two different countries was eye opening and made me think about what the international students who attend La Roche go through. 

I'm thankful for this opportunity and would like to thank the two faculty members for being the best possible chaperones and Barbara, our tour guide, for being friendly and pushing us to try different things. Our group was perfect and I am never going to forget this adventure. If I could relive it, I would. I wouldn't change a thing either. Such an incredible journey and I am not ready for it to be over. 

It's bittersweet. Goodbye Ireland and Scotland! 

Last Day - Amanda Dugan

This morning we started off with a tour of Parliament. It was very interesting to see the meaning behind some of the different design of the architecture. Getting to see where "business" is done for their government was nice because in ways it's very similar yet different than our government. 

Right after Parliament, we started walking up Arthur's Seat. The views were amazing from any point on the hike! The scenery here overall is absolutely breathtaking. 

This being the end of our trip is truly bittersweet for me. As much as I want to stay and see more, I'm definitely ready to return to my family and share what I've experienced with them. 

Day 7- Sarah

Yesterday we explored the Castle of Edinburgh! We watched a demonstration on the different ways to wear a kilt, we saw the Crown Jewels, and got to see a guard shoot of one of the cannons. I captured the cannon shooting on video but ruined it by jumping when the shot rang out. My favorite part of the castle was the memorial for soldiers and the prisons of war part. I learned that Americans from the revolutionary war were kept as prisoners of war there. There was also a vast description on what the prisoners would have eaten as well as what they left behind on the doors. 

We also visited the Writer's Museum which as a pretend English major I enjoyed. We learned about the lives and works of Scott, Burns and Stevenson. We got to hear a cool story about Stevenson's inspiration for his book Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Also I read at the museum that Stevenson's called his notebook "The Original Book of Nonsense." The museum was tiny but had a vast amount of information and stories. 

The play we went to see was pretty amazing and I would really like to watch the movie when I get home. I would ask like to research the history behind it.