Laura
01-14-2007, 10:59 AM
Well, it is hard to believe, but I have now been back in the States for a week. I finally uploaded, labeled, and organized all of my pictures. I have put the link here to imagestation if anyone wants to view the entire trip http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2096675808, but will also post a few pics here.
Overall, the trip was wonderful. I think I was most disappointed in London only because I was blown away by how expensive it is. We really didn’t have much time there, but unless the dollar starts to improve in strength against the pound sometime soon, I really don’t feel the need to return.
Our time in Scotland was wonderful. My children especially felt an immediate kinship with the country given their last name (MacPherson). The Scottish people are so open and friendly. The landscape is wild and untamed in many places (which unfortunately was matched by the weather during our stay). The only downside to the trip was that my SO had a stomach bug that pretty much lasted the entire time we were in Scotland, and the weather was horrendous. I would love to return to Scotland, but want to do so in the summer.
By far, the best part of the trip was our time in France. Perhaps it was reconnecting with my roommate and being on the receiving end of her wonderful hospitality, but there is also a magic about Paris that existed no where else on our trip. Although I had been to France 22 years ago, the city truly captured me with its beauty.
About the pictures, if you decide to look at the online album, you will notice an inordinate amount of pictures of DD. What can I say, she loves having her picture taken. I was wondering how much DS would enjoy this trip. All things being equal, he probably would have rather spent a week in the mountains boarding. Still, he loved the little bed and breakfast we stayed at in Innerleithen, Scotland, and meeting his little cousin. He was thrilled that he communicated with a French person at a café and was understood. His eyes were opened to the rest of the world and it made him want to see more (and appreciate what we have here).
Also, there are a number of pictures of DD and DS where they are giving somewhat strange looks. At some point in London, they decided not to smile for the rest of their pictures together. I can hear my mother saying, “But couldn’t you get them to smile for just one picture?” But the pictures I have of them make me smile, because it reminds me of the bond they have forged. To me, that is better than any perfect picture.
Thank you again for all those who have encouraged me during the journey, gave tips, and prayed for our trip. DD is now in France and realizing that her 3.5 years of HS French did not do much to prepare her for time there, but she is learning and loving it all the same.
DD and I at the Paddington Station
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid222/pc5e366ad6c18707d636865e976d24681/eb1957b2.jpg
SO and I in front of Buckingham Palace
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid222/pb1d5263311452368e3b100c35feff389/eb195793.jpg
SO and DS at the entrance to Imperial War Museum
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid222/pc8045b20737a8dd7d355bf2ecc525693/eb194f03.jpg
Tower Bridge
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid222/p83042d3fd967a3cec0b9e3732455b381/eb1948ff.jpg
DD and DS at Tower of London
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid222/p50f96a3320bfe926972c5c2d1488dc1b/eb194780.jpg
View from Edinburgh Castle
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid222/pa49e0eb3558a52557afa2da9305bb069/eb194491.jpg
Looking up at Edinburgh Castle
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid222/pef83ae1c790a5d5c17c95150648e1581/eb1942ac.jpg
Another view of Edingburh castle
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid222/pf9522615775c1afa69be71acd76c1026/eb194292.jpg
Wallace Monument
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid222/p9fded942da3269f50294bf1fc7a114dd/eb19419a.jpg
DD and DS showing their signs at Wallace Monument
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid222/pb907c83dc4cde61f3639bc12a495309d/eb193f66.jpg
Overall, the trip was wonderful. I think I was most disappointed in London only because I was blown away by how expensive it is. We really didn’t have much time there, but unless the dollar starts to improve in strength against the pound sometime soon, I really don’t feel the need to return.
Our time in Scotland was wonderful. My children especially felt an immediate kinship with the country given their last name (MacPherson). The Scottish people are so open and friendly. The landscape is wild and untamed in many places (which unfortunately was matched by the weather during our stay). The only downside to the trip was that my SO had a stomach bug that pretty much lasted the entire time we were in Scotland, and the weather was horrendous. I would love to return to Scotland, but want to do so in the summer.
By far, the best part of the trip was our time in France. Perhaps it was reconnecting with my roommate and being on the receiving end of her wonderful hospitality, but there is also a magic about Paris that existed no where else on our trip. Although I had been to France 22 years ago, the city truly captured me with its beauty.
About the pictures, if you decide to look at the online album, you will notice an inordinate amount of pictures of DD. What can I say, she loves having her picture taken. I was wondering how much DS would enjoy this trip. All things being equal, he probably would have rather spent a week in the mountains boarding. Still, he loved the little bed and breakfast we stayed at in Innerleithen, Scotland, and meeting his little cousin. He was thrilled that he communicated with a French person at a café and was understood. His eyes were opened to the rest of the world and it made him want to see more (and appreciate what we have here).
Also, there are a number of pictures of DD and DS where they are giving somewhat strange looks. At some point in London, they decided not to smile for the rest of their pictures together. I can hear my mother saying, “But couldn’t you get them to smile for just one picture?” But the pictures I have of them make me smile, because it reminds me of the bond they have forged. To me, that is better than any perfect picture.
Thank you again for all those who have encouraged me during the journey, gave tips, and prayed for our trip. DD is now in France and realizing that her 3.5 years of HS French did not do much to prepare her for time there, but she is learning and loving it all the same.
DD and I at the Paddington Station
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid222/pc5e366ad6c18707d636865e976d24681/eb1957b2.jpg
SO and I in front of Buckingham Palace
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid222/pb1d5263311452368e3b100c35feff389/eb195793.jpg
SO and DS at the entrance to Imperial War Museum
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid222/pc8045b20737a8dd7d355bf2ecc525693/eb194f03.jpg
Tower Bridge
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid222/p83042d3fd967a3cec0b9e3732455b381/eb1948ff.jpg
DD and DS at Tower of London
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid222/p50f96a3320bfe926972c5c2d1488dc1b/eb194780.jpg
View from Edinburgh Castle
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid222/pa49e0eb3558a52557afa2da9305bb069/eb194491.jpg
Looking up at Edinburgh Castle
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid222/pef83ae1c790a5d5c17c95150648e1581/eb1942ac.jpg
Another view of Edingburh castle
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid222/pf9522615775c1afa69be71acd76c1026/eb194292.jpg
Wallace Monument
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid222/p9fded942da3269f50294bf1fc7a114dd/eb19419a.jpg
DD and DS showing their signs at Wallace Monument
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid222/pb907c83dc4cde61f3639bc12a495309d/eb193f66.jpg