lasts.

today was our last day in edinburgh. in europe. 

the time has seriously flown by. you know how time goes? it goes slow but then it goes fast. hard to explain but it makes sense to me. 

lots of lasts. 

last shower in europe. ha.

last taste of the european culture. 

last time of no taxes on anything. 

i will miss the bus rides, the adventures, the tesco's, the non-airconditioned buildings (not), the history, and most of all, our professors and wonderful girls!

i lucked out. no kidding. we didn't have any problems. everyone was super flexible and we were okay with whatever was planned, most of the time. 

it will be so weird for me to NOT be with these girls. hilary and i were pretty much together 24/7 for the past seven weeks. 

i am so grateful for the friends that i made and the experiences that i had! it's been the best thing and i wouldn't change it. 

worst hair choice for the closing dinner, believe me, i already know.

we had a great closing dinner. a 3-course meal and an enjoyable slideshow of everyone's top 20 pictures of the trip. we had so much fun together!

i think of my lasts on my trip, and it only leads me to think of what adam is doing. 

his last couple nights as a missionary. his last baptism tomorrow. his last time at church on sunday. his last goodbye's to the people he loves in zimbabwe. 

he has had a very successful mission and has changed many lives for the better. i am overly proud of him and i can't wait to see him in just a couple short days! 

first glimpse of scotland.

hadrian's wall, never heard of this before. 

i guess it is the wall that separated the roman's and the scott's. it goes on for miles! we stopped for a few.

view from above the city in edinburgh our first night in scotland. so beautiful!! i love that i can see the ocean from there. the air is so crisp and fresh. 

a small hike up to arthur's seat was planned on sunday afternoon. it was a hike and it's a good thing i wore my tightest pair of jeans! seriously. 

it was so so beautiful.

on monday, we took off north to inverness. driving of course. we stopped at the culloden battle field but i didn't take much too it... i had no idea what it even was! don't judge.

we stayed the night and drove west to fort williams. loch ness was on the way and we all hoped we could catch nessie out of the water. unfortunately, it didn't happen. still, an amazing body of water!

"nessie".

after loch ness, there was time to spare walking around the city because we couldn't check into our hostel. of course, we found a cafe with FREE wi-fi. yay! the hostel was seriously in the mountains. afterall, we were in the highlands area. the land where people go to hike the mountain. they are the serious ones with the hiking sticks and everything!

when i say camping, i literally meant that. thirteen girls in one room. no floor space. and bugs flying in the windows. a spider got a yummy taste of my skin. ew. 

kelsey's face speaks for itself.

we were on our way back to edinburgh for our last few nights in scotland and on the study! (can you believe that??) the area we drove through was amazing. everything is so beautiful, i feel like it's only things i've seen in movies! 

stirling castle and the braveheart monument were right in our path to edinburgh.

alas, arriving back in edinburgh, we were all pleased to find out that we have our OWN rooms. i repeat, our own rooms! it's been wonderful. 

spare time and a bit of a slower pace these last couple days has been the best thing. 

perfect.

you wear kilts?

i know i have many posts to catch up on from last weeks travels through northern england. 

but for now, we are here in fort williams, scotland. 

we arrived in edinburgh on saturday night and stayed in a 5 star hostel! have you ever heard of that? i never had. 

it was much like a hotel but with four sets of bunk beds instead of just a couple beds. 

we went to church on sunday and hiked up to arthur's seat there in edinburgh. the view from the top was beautiful. right above the city and the shoreline isn't too far off either. 

i love scotland! the weather is quite pleasant. because we are close to the ocean, the air is a lot cooler and not so humid. it hasn't been to sunny since we have been here, but i pleased with what we have! it also feels like the land is more country like, in the country side. fall time in utah? mmm.

i can't believe this trip is coming to a close. i know i say that all the time, but i just can't believe it! so many memories and funny times. ha! 

our last three nights will be in a hostel in edinburgh. we have a couple of free days to explore the city and... possibly... go shopping? i won't buy anything, my suitcase is packed to the rim! eek! 

first view of scotland.

i am loving the scottish accent. and i've decided i need to give people the benefit of the doubt. the people here are a lot nicer than i expected and it is so refreshing! i have spotted a few men in kilts. is that not so weird? just wearing a knee length skirt with pleats and a plaid pattern?

portobello mushrooms.

mushrooms? not really. but it is called portobello road! 

back when i was on the telly (from my current book, thanks hilary :) one day). which mean, when i was happy - i.e. in london. 

i am happy, just london was so fun!

anyway. 

last day in london, after finals, we had a few hours to finish up our time there and hilary and i headed back to the notting hill tube stop and portobello road. 

cute shops and little homes. 

and of course... gelato mio. he he. it was so good!

we are in in hawkshead. and will be heading to edinburgh tomorrow. 

i can't believe that this 7 weeks is just coming to a close. can you?

but... i am totally thrilled i can hardly sleep at night, to get to africa and be with my family!