Yesterday we grabbed some apples for breakfast and headed off to Rosslyn Chapel. I've definitely had my kilt quota filled; you pass all these bagpipe players on the street wearing their traditional garb. The Chapel, built in 1446, has, I believe, the first documented instance of a bagpipe player (adorning the top of one of the stone pillars). Everything inside is so ornate — carved flowers on the ceiling and twisting columns supporting the roof.
JANE PENG / SPECIAL TO THE SEATTLE TIMES
Roof of Rossyln Chapel, May 25, 2006
They recently built a roof to cover the Chapel to protect it from the rain, but it only destroys the view from the outside. Inside, it feels like you are entering another century filled with medieval saints and the Knights Templar.
JANE PENG / SPECIAL TO THE SEATTLE TIMES
Edinburgh at night from Calton Hill, May 25, 2006
Later we walked up Calton Hill and got an amazing view of the city. It's a great place to gaze at clouds and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, where the Queen of England vacations every summer.
This morning Jane went off to Dundee and I scouted out some museums with Laura. She was leaving Edinburgh a couple hours after us to fly back home to Spokane. I saw Dolly the sheep in the Royal Museum of Scotland - she's been stuffed and is standing on a revolving platform, which I found slightly distasteful. I don't see why they have to make such a spectacle of her. The museum had some really good exhibits though, and more stuffed birds than I've ever seen in my life.
JANE PENG / SPECIAL TO THE SEATTLE TIMES
Edinburgh at night from Calton Hill with the Greek Acropolis in the foreground, May 25, 2006.
We surveyed the city from the top of the Royal Museum of Scotland as the rain fell lightly and made my fleece damp.
"I'm really going to miss it here," Laura said, and I nodded, because I realized that I will be leaving London soon. I will really miss London! And I just met this guy, and now I am going back to Seattle in two weeks! It's funny how life works like that.
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