Religious Sites/Cemeteries

Day Five
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Day Five

This was the best and most ‘vacationy’ day of my holiday. I’m grinning as a I remember it… and continue to sooth a sunburn even liberal amounts of sunscreen couldn’t prevent.

There were three things I wanted to see and do in the vicinity of Savannah. As it turned out, they were all convenient to one another and stops on the same interstate, one right after the other in order of priority! I thought that I would spend Wednesday driving all over coastal Georgia, but, instead, I was able to enjoy the places I wanted to visit.

First stop:

I spent about an hour in this gorgeous cemetery taking loads of photos. Have y’all been waiting for pics of Spanish moss? Here ’tis!

Next stop was Fort Pulaski, the site of a major turning point in military history. I just went because I hoped to see ‘gators in the moat. No such luck. 🙂 I enjoyed my visit anyway. There was lots to see and the grounds were gorgeous.

Highly reflective glass meant that I accidentally took a photo of myself:

No, I’m not bald in this pic. I decided to fully embrace freedom on Wednesday and wore a scarf all day. With the sunglasses, I looked like a biker chick. 🙂

Next and final stop: Tybee Island, Savannah’s beach playground!

I started by being foolish and climbing the 170+ steps to the top of the lighthouse:

Must. Get. Back. Into. Shape. The climb is worth the view, though!

I enjoyed touring the lighthouse keeper’s cottage and was impressed by this detail in the banister.

Yes, the newel post is shaped like the lighthouse.

Next, I viewed the lighthouse museum which also featured some exhibits about Tybee’s earliest days as a resort destination.

Then came the moment I’d been waiting for. I changed into my bathing suit and went to the beach for an hour. It was HOT out, the sun was shining brightly, and the water was plenty warm enough to swim! I had fun body surfing waves, accidentally ingesting salt water, and then sitting in the sun (even though I’m still paying for this, hee hee).

There was a shack-type restaurant right on the beach called the North Beach Grill and I decided to try it for lunch since it was packed. It was a fantastic experience; a cruddy little restaurant open to sea breezes, salt shakers rusty from the sea air, rum flowing liberally, and Caribbean-style music booming from speakers. I ordered ‘grilled shrimp’ which was nothing like what I expected. I got whole shrimp, still in the shell with the legs on ’em, swimming in a cajunny-style sauce with a helping of freshly cut fries. It was one of the most undignified, delicious, and fun meals of my life. It took forever to peel those suckers using my fingers! It was there that I realised that coastal Georgia is a world unto itself where sweet tea runs freely, huge mountains of sweet shrimp big as a thumb cost less than a burger, and the people know how to take the time to breathe and enjoy a moment. It’s not paradise, but came pretty close to that for a sun and warmth-starved gal who had just fled winter!

I headed ‘home’ after to shower, change, and rest before my ghost tour.

The Sixth Sense ghost tour was absolutely horrible in the best possible sense. It explained to me the vibes that Savannah had been giving off and made me understand my unease at being there. I know that most, if not all, the stories were mostly fiction, but the history itself was fairly solid. I was the only person on the tour and I really enjoyed it even if it made for a restless night. 🙂

It was a great day.

Cemeteries, the Halifax Citadel, and Pier 21
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Cemeteries, the Halifax Citadel, and Pier 21

I was on my own since Julie had to go to work. Friend that she is, she left me the car. My favourite thing to visit on trips is cemeteries, followed by churches. I overdosed on the former on Monday and will not bore you with the couple hundred (!) photos I took. :-S

First stop was the Fairview Lawn Cemetery to view some of the Titanic graves.

I wonder how many people have visited this grave since 1997:


This person was identified at a later date, probably through DNA testing. Science never ceases to amaze me.


Next stop was the Old Burying Ground, Halifax’s oldest cemetery. This stone stood out:


And I thought she had a bad reputation…

After spending some time at this cemetery, I hiked to the bus terminal to inquire about transportation to the airport, which was a waste of time and I should have just called the Airporter shuttle service.

There was money left in the metre after this, so I walked up Spring Garden hoping to find some cute shops to explore. Unfortunately, a lot was closed since it was Remembrance Day Monday. But I did find a fantastic little bookshop on Queen Street. There, I chatted up the seller and he went off to his attic in search of some Wallis Budge for me. While he did that, I hurried back to the car as my metre was about to expire! When I came back, he looked relieved (and a tad dusty).

After much consideration, I only took three books as I had to keep in mind that my luggage was carry on! The first book was the Budge, called The Mummy, which is actually a really good primer on ancient Egyptian history, language, and customs as well as descriptions of funerary rites. The second book was about the move of the temple of Isis at Philae, and the last about how the Rosetta Stone cracked the hieroglyph code. I was thrilled with my haul!

Next stop were some antique shops on Agricola, but they were all closed, so I just had lunch, then I headed for the Citadel.

There, I took a couple of pics of the Clock Tower:


I then climbed all the way up the hill to look at the ruins:


Since none of the exhibits were open, access was free and I could have driven my car up to the lot there, but the hike was nice!

Coming back down, I served through an expanse of grass and just happened to find 1.85$. How odd is that?! LOL

I finished the day at Pier 21, Canada’s Immigration museum, which is the equivalent of Angel and Ellis Islands in the US. The movie alone was worth the experience; it featured some Oscar worthy performances! I won’t spoil it. 🙂

Julie and I went shopping after a fabulous dinner (made by her) of fresh Digby scallops (num, num) and I found a brass candlestick in the style I collect at a Value Village of all places!

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New and Old Lanark

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9:03 AM

I’m at Glasgow Central waiting on the 9:18 train to Lanark. I can’t believe how easily I got here ! Last month, searching for tickets and my departure stance would have been nerve wracking, but today it was as easy and normal as going to the bathroom! Hard to believe this is my last day in Scotland. I have to admit that if I see another continental breakfast in this lifetime, it’ll be too soon! I’m fed up with cold rolls, cheese, jam, tea, o.j., cereal, etc. I’d just about kill for my unhealthy Cheeze-Whiz on English muffin with a glass of chocolate milk!

However, it’s good that breakfast is healthy since practically everything is deep fried here. I’d just about kill for some steamed or lightly poached fish, steamed broccoli, and plain sticky white rice! At least last night I had a baked potato. I think I’ve had enough French fries for quite a few millennia (and it’s not like I’ve been eating them a lot, just once or twice a week. I must admit I like ‘The Pancake Place’’s herb fries, though). What I couldn’t believe was the time I ordered mac and cheese. It had a full inch of fat floating on top of the cheese and greasy French fries on the side! I went through a lot of napkins getting rid of the worst of the grease! I can’t believe last night, though, I actually (very politely) complained about my meal in a restaurant!

I met a girl last night who said something interesting. Going home is scarier than staying because you’ve changed while the people you know haven’t.

10:38

The train ride to Lanark was AWFUL! (mostly underground or ugly scenery and slow!!!) But worth it. Guess where I’m standing. I’ll give you a hint. The plaque says: ‘Here stood the house of William Wallace who in Lanark in 1297 first drew sword to free his native land.’!!! I’m also next to St. Nicholas’ church, site of the world’s oldest bell, outside of which is a statue of Wallace.

Next, I’m off to the ruins of St. Kentigern’s church where ‘Wallace married Marion’ (TIC lady). I like to think that he did marry her, since he was pious. Anyhoo, this is a beautiful little town ! I didn’t realise that so much of Wallace would remain!!! (And the TIC woman asked if I knew who he was!)

2:54

New Lanark is lovely!!! It’s undergone an extensive restoration scheme that should be finished by the end of the decade/century. Outside, the buildings are all stone, very simple, incredibly beautiful. Inside, they ‘house’ all the modern conveniences of life. I have to look up Robert Owen. I think I would have liked him. The conditions in his town were a zillion times better than in other towns during the same time period, 1820s.

The ‘Annie McLeod Experience’ was great—it was a ‘ride’ that narrated life during the 1820s complete with sound and light effects.

Now, I’m waiting for the 15:22 train. I’m pooped, what with going to bed too late and getting up way early. Tomorrow and the next few days will probably be killers. To be honest, I’m not looking forward to going in to work on Friday. I would have liked the weekend just to get my bearings back! I am looking forward to the pool, though, if they have it going!

I wonder what the weather’s like back home. Here, it’s usually too hot or too cold. It’s hard to get comfortable. I’m forever putting on and removing my sweater and/or coat! The rain hasn’t deterred me in the least and I’ve seen so little of it! I thought, a month ago (already!) that by today I’d be fed up with travelling. I just can’t believe how much I’m wishing that tomorrow I could get on a bus to Ayr, then to Aberdeen, then to… I’ve got ‘the bug’!

8:08 pm

Well… my trip’s essentially over… Tomorrow, it’s the U straight to Buchanan street, then a bus to the airport. A month ago, checking in at the airport was scary. Now, I think of it as a nuisance. It’s like I’m not scared of ‘stupid’ things anymore, well not scared, more like worried, I guess. That’s still not the right word. I guess I’ve just found ‘blick’. (In my Liberal Arts Integrated Essay Seminar class, we talked about discovering a new human emotion called ‘blick’. We had debates over whether or not blick could actually exist. I swear, I’ve found it!) Whatever the emotion, it’s almost gone now. When it comes back, I’ll just think back to this trip ! I could never have given myself a more wonderful present!

 

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A Robert Burns Day in Dumfries

9 :16 AM

I had a great night, the bed was so comfortable. I even treated myself to the 10 o’clock news on the BBC. This morning was a little strange what with being the only guest and so getting exclusive treatment at breakfast. (At Yvonne’s breakfast is ‘self-serve’. It really was like digging through the pantry and fridge at home!) Somehow, it was different from going to a restaurant. The owners, Sheila and Arnold, are very friendly and helpful, but at the same time very discreet.

I’m probably not going to make it to Ayr. No buses run there from here on Sundays. I’ll try the train station later. I just don’t want to ‘waste’ all of tomorrow on the road. I’m seriously considering another night here (an excellent base for exploring Galloway) and going on a ‘field trip’ tomorrow. Monday, I could be in Ayr by lunch, enjoy the afternoon there and get to Glasgow (or somewhere near) by the evening. I’ll see once I’ve been to the train station.

3:42 pm

I’ve had a wonderful day! It began with a glimpse of the Burns statue under (or near!) which I wrote the first entry of the day. After, I went to the Burns house, the Mausoleum, the Old Bridge House Museum, and lastly, the Robert Burns Centre. Then, I went to a pub for lunch (they have cheap and excellent food) where I enjoyed a delicious vegetable lasagna washed down with what else but a half pint of Guinness?!

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I then spent all of (at most) 45 minutes in Carrutherstown! There’s NOTHING there! I couldn’t even find a church or graveyard! I did enjoy a pleasant stroll through Lowland countryside.

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All the museums were free, but I did have an almost £23 splurge: I bought three Wallace books! I couldn’t help it, I mean I had Reese, Gray, and Fisher’s books right there and I’ve been seeing them for the past month, ignoring them (to the best of my ability, resulting in much ‘anguish’!). I figure that with exchange rates and shipping and handling, I most likely saved some money.

I’m not going to Ayr. To do so on a Sunday, I’d have to go by Glasgow. That would be a waste of time. I figure I’ll get on a bus/train out of here early(ish) tomorrow and head northwest, trying to hit Ayr, but maybe Lanark. What’s frustrating is that one bus company won’t say what another one does and the trains won’t say anything dealing with buses so it’s almost impossible to coordinate! I figure, travel tomorrow and get somewhere near the airport so I can have a full day Monday. Good luck!

8:02

You know what? Why don’t I just go back to Glasgow? There are museums I didn’t get a chance to see and I like the city!

8:41

I’ve made my decision!!! I’m taking the ‘first’ train to Glasgow tomorrow and enjoying an afternoon at the transport museum. Early Monday, I’ll head out to (New) Lanark for the day and return to Glasgow. I’m a little disappointed at missing Ayr, but everyone I’ve met who’s been there (including locals) say that unless you worship Burns, if you’re going to Ayr for Wallacey sentimental reasons, you’d better keep your ‘medieval ideal’ of the city. Anyhoo, it’ll be for my next trip!

 

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Stirling to Melrose

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11:29 am

I’m on a bus waiting to depart. Destination: Melrose. Yep. I’ve had luck today. Here’s how it’s gone :

1) Huge breakfast with extra bread and jam to eat for lunch with peanut butter

2) Walk to bus stop. Told bus to Edinburgh 2hrs. Train: 50 min. (travelling time)

3) Go to train station. Fare to Edinburgh very similar (few p. difference at most. Less than £5). Next train leaves in 10 min.

4) Get to Edinburgh. Told to go to bus station. Get there on my own with no detours.

5) Find bus to Melrose. Less than £6. Leaves in 15 min. Time to get bed booked and buy a snack!

6) I’m on my way. Cost: a lot less than the train to Berwick!!!

6:06 pm

I’m in the absolutely lovely Melrose youth hostel, a Victorian mansion. From the common room, I have a view of the abbey, which is even better from the dining room! I cannot believe just how different the Lowlands are from the Highlands. I slightly regret not bringing home some Highland dirt and a thistle when I had the chance. Oh, well. Scottish dirt is Scottish dirt!

The Abbey was great and included an audio tour. I gave my last respects to Robert the Bruce at the site where his heart is buried. Yup, it made its way back!!! This is on thing I’ve been most lucky with. (When the heart was found the second time, a year or so ago, I think, it was taken to Edinburgh for tests. There were incredible delays with getting it back to Melrose. I missed the burial by only day or two, but at least the heart was home when I went to Melrose, and not lying in some scientist’s office.) It was like visiting a grave — I guess it was a grave. It was most moving, to say the least.

So, I plan on two nights here, perhaps one in Dumfries (if I find a cheap place), two in Ayr, and one very near the airport ! Melrose is great in that everything is very nearby and the hills aren’t very high! My trip is just about over and I don’t feel that I’ve wasted my time. It’s a good feeling.

8:16 pm

I have not felt such peace and pure contentment since Colorado. I mean, I’m sitting this close to ancient (okay early medieval to 19th century) ruins. Melrose is such a beautiful abbey, mostly red and yellow ochre, but there are other colours as well, best seen inside. Digress.

I think I’ve invented a new sport! The sport’s name ? Mud skiing. It involves going hill walking in inappropriate attire such as worn down sneakers that won’t adhere to anything and light coloured jeans. Now, find a steep, slippery, muddy hill (you have to be at the top). Now, carefully pick your way down to the first muddy and slippery patch you can’t see. Allow yourself to slip down it, gaining momentum. Once you’ve stopped sliding, KEEP MOVING VERY QUICKLY until you reach the next muddy and slippery spot you can’t see. Allow yourself to go full speed down that one, gaining more momentum. You should end up literally barrelling down the hill. The point of the exercise is to get to the bottom on your own two feet, without falling, without dirtying your clothes, and with a very minimal amount of mud on your shoes. Impossible ? Hell, I did it !

10:20 pm

Everything is just fine and perfect and wonderful. I feel such peace. I wish I could feel like this in the ‘real’ world. I called home and actually got (my mother). She’s going to put some money in my account. Turns out I had a whole £100 left, but for some reason I was unable to extract half of it. Oh well, Friday I’ll have the extra cash, so I’m going to enjoy my weekend. Horseback riding, perhaps?! (I can’t explain the frame of mind I was in as I wrote this entry. It was like I was floating on clouds. I had no worries, no stress, no negativity. It was pure bliss, I suppose.)