7.7.10 - 7.11.10 v. 2.19.11 - 2.23.11

Going to the All-Star Practice reminds me of a day in England, after a week and more of hard-searching:

Today I found a basketball court in Cambridge.

There, I played for two some hours with Alex, Caitlin, and Jas. It looks like we will be making more trips here in the very near future.
I guarded Caitlin most of the time. No knock on that though. She plays for Harvard: http://thecrimson.harvard.edu/blog/the-back-page/article/2010/7/26/play-game-team-harvard/
Later went to eat some Korean food, passed by Parker’s Piece since Day 1 and saw many restaurants that I have never seen before, including some tempting pubs.

But then it was back to King's College to watch the Spain-Germany game. All the Englishmen were out in full force to root against the Germans, who had previously ousted their homeland by an embarrassing 4-1 margin.

Watching it in the floor of the King's College Bar was something that I had to remember, but the game was less than that. It was a slow paced game, with both teams measuring their potential opportunities to score.

Puyol put the ball in the back of the net. Done. Spain against Netherlands for it all on Sunday..too bad we had to go to London for Arts Journalism otherwise we definitely would have gone to Amsterdam for the weekend.

During the final championship match, I had my laptop with me to decide to either embark on a journey to Amsterdam or Barcelona. I decided to book Amsterdam half-way in, and Spain closed the deal. I guess Amsterdam would have to do.

Now, I think back on that and reflect on that summer as a whole. Added to all the decisions that I have made up to this point, just tells me again, to live with no regret.

One of those nights where you stare at the ceiling hoping that it’ll provide you some answers.

In England, it was even tougher to have a full duration sleep, as the sun rises at 5 am. And naturally, I woke up at 430 in anticipation.

It’s still the first weekend, and I was underpacked to go to Scotland. I didn’t know what to expect but bus rides for some apparent reason was a reason for a sense of adventure (I’d later retract this).

**

7.2.10

We stopped by Richmond and saw the Richmond Castle. Marks my first fish and chips experience. The castle itself provided a steep overlook of the city and from certain vantage points, could see specks of white that were little goats.

Stopped at a local store. They were lucky that these rest stop folks were also willing spenders. I ended up buying the three malts collector’s pack: the smallest bottle of scotch whisky in the world. Apparently Guinness Book of Records material.

Upon arrival at Edinburgh, we were able to stay at Pollack Halls, which was converted into a hotel like accommodation for tourists like us. The bathrooms were strange. Imagine an airplane with a shower. The toilet operating in a similar fashion.

What was a major improvement was the food. We had buffet and it was edible, unlike food in Cambridge. Not bad.

Ended up exploring the city and took a ghost tour..one that I will never forget, for ripping us off 10 pounds.

I guess it’s one way to make friends. And then it started raining.

7.3.2010

The next morning was the big hike up the Trossachs. I wasn’t ready. The weather wasn’t either. After a two hour drive, added to the fact that the panini wasn’t sitting well in my stomach, a two mile upward journey didn’t seem worth it. And it was still raining

New running shoes were not going to protect me from the mud. As Jason said, my asics turned to basics. An hour or so long hike, but we managed to get to the top.

And soon enough it was time to walk back down – the same way. Slipping all the way down.

The rest of the night was reserved for Scottish dancing, and usually I don’t like these things. But after a few glasses of wine, I was more than ready.

Apparently I wore a kilt that night.

We then headed over to the lounge. And suddenly a loud chant and an “Oh say can you see.” Celebrating July 4^th in Scotland. classy. Some warm goodbyes, then it was off to bed.

7.4.2010

So I missed the bus that would have taken us to the city center, but split a cab with four others and the toll was around a pound and a half. Saw the Edinburgh castle. Spent more time inside the Edinburgh castle gift shop. It was raining sideways.

So we headed to the National Gallery and appreciated the nudity.

Saw the Rossyln Chapel, which wasn’t impressive. The stories were: of the high mason killing the apprentice, the pillars in certain locations and sculpted in a different fashion. I wished they elaborated on specific incidents that was used in the Da Vinci Code.

Decided to get some cheap vodka and some red bull. On an empty stomach as well.

Some gruesome details I will leave out on second edit…

So we go to Espionage. And my friend leaves her ID back at home. So we take the cab back to get her ID. The alcohol wasn’t settling well on the way back. I stopped the cab. The vomit didn’t. Luckily avoided the 20 pound fine and somehow got into the club. I needed water.

I tipped the guy two pounds for giving me tap water.

He smiled and took the money.

I was led outside because I guess I was wild, where I explained that I had just eaten pea soup all day. Drank on an empty stomach. But felt better. Energized.

7.5.2010

Apparently we almost died today. Woke up early in the morning at 7 thanks to the 10 alarms that my friend apparently set for me.

I met a Harvard women’s hoops player on the bus. Cool.

But back to how we almost died. Apparently a bus on the opposite side of the road ran into a BMW, and almost took out our bus in the process.

We ended up going to Fountains Abbey, but waited for a while for everyone to eat their lousy sandwiches. Took some pictures at the Abbey, sat in a wishing well-esque monument, and were off. We had less than an hour to explore.

How do you make frozen chicken nuggets taste like chicken nuggets? The mystery continues…