P2P Day 6: Where Braveheart Outmaneuvered the English - Stirling, Scotland

She's gonna kill me
for this one.

They left the Highlands today and headed south to Stirling.

Their final destination was Glasgow and I finally got a FaceTime call right in the middle of a business lunch. I couldn't talk and barely saw her but she's breathing, happy and tired so all's well.

Matching monsters. All of them.

Katie also posted a favorite pic of hers on Instagram. I guess they didn't find the real Nessie but the found something just as good.

Here's the thing: those aren't her shoes. I'm wondering if any parent out there recognizes them. Katie has big feet (this is not news, I am not telling secrets). I am shocked someone else has the same sized feet that she has (oh Lord, it just occurred to me that maybe she bought them - that would be twice the price based on the exchange rate for American shoes?!).

The leaders have only posted a few photos but they include pictures of sheepdogs - and lots of huge smiles. I can't wait to see more. Today they should have made their way to Stirling on their way to Glasgow. There are interesting facts about Stirling below. Tomorrow they will head out on the ferry and make their way to Belfast.

From the People to People Itinerary

This morning we will leave the beautiful Scottish Highlands and head to Stirling.

Discover the medieval town of Stirling - once regarded as the most strategically important town in Scotland. It was at Stirling Bridge that Braveheart - William Wallace -outmaneuvered the English army and inspired the idea of an independent Scotland. The heart of the ancient town still survives today and gives Stirling its distinctive and historic appearance. The old town trail starts at the Castle Esplanade car park, comes down into the medieval streets and through the town defenses.

Stirling Castle, located in Stirling, is situated on a volcanic outcrop guarding the lowest crossing point of the River Forth. The castle is said to be a great symbol of Scottish Independence and a source of enduring national pride. Several Scottish Kings and Queens have been crowned at Stirling, including Mary, Queen of Scots, in 1542. There have been at least eight sieges of Stirling Castle, including several during the Wars of Scottish Independence, with the last being in 1746, when Bonnie Prince Charlie unsuccessfully tried to take the castle. This is a great opportunity to visit and explore the castle and familiarize yourself with the history of this imposing battlement.

Stirling Bridge

Stirling Castle

P2P Day 5: In Search of the Loch Ness Monster (and Other Things in Scotland)

Ohmigod! Is that her? Is that Nessie?

Today was the day they went looking for Nessie.
This is not a hard thing for a Santa Cruz girl to do.

We are always hippie and dippie and we trust in lots of things like the Universe, legalizing pot and respecting all sorts of lifestyles. Why looking for the Loch Ness Monster is just another day in paradise.

The kids stayed at the Youth Hostel in Inverness for another night and so I went on Google maps to get the lay of the land.

Lock Ness is just a jaunt down the road a bit and as I zoomed out, I noticed a rather interesting thing - clearly something most Californians would notice, or geologists - Loch Ness is sitting on a fault line (the red dot is the loch).

Sure looks like the San Andreas fault to me!

In fact, it sits on the Great Glen Fault, which is a strike-slip fault dividing the north and south of Scotland. Loch Ness is also near the Cairngorms National Park which is where you'll find Balmoral Castle (the place Queen Victoria described as her "dear paradise in the Highlands"). But the kids won't get to see that. They will be heading the other direction tomorrow - south to Glasgow on their way to Ireland.

The day included some other great things as well! I can't wait to hear stories about Scottish farming, sheepdogs, sheep shearing and the Highland Games!

They are still cut off from the Internet - I can't imagine the pain they must be in, poor sweeties.

From the People to People Itinerary

This morning we go hunting for Nessie! The worldwide fame of Loch Ness owes more to the legend of its famous occupant, the Loch Ness Monster - or 'Nessie' - than the breathtaking location of the loch itself. You will learn about the research undertaken in the past by explorers seeking the monster.

Spend the afternoon with a visit a traditional Scottish farm and learn about the training for sheepdogs as you observe them performing under full control of their handler in the beautiful surroundings of the Scottish highlands. 

As part of the sheepdog demonstrations, you will also get to see first-hand sheep shearing (watch because you can't understand a word he says), try bottle-feeding orphan lambs and watch the collie dog pups herd ducks (watch) instead of sheep as part of their training.

Take part in Highland Games with a Highland Chieftain and a prize for the winning team! You'll also be visiting a working farm, a traditional sweet shop and encountering life in a 1700s Highland township at the Highland Folk Museum (and look at these images, I couldn't decide on just one!)

Loch Ness

P2P Day 4: Inverness, Rafting, JK Rowling Stalking and Some Scottish Culture

Not sure if they did this or not!  

Quiet day. No word from the kid or posts from the delegation leaders. 

But I kind of expected that. 

They were supposed to do a little river rafting today and then some very cool cultural activities tonight. Katie has always enjoyed the culture nights because the kids get silly and try new things. I'll update with photos if they come through. 

They are staying at the Youth Hostel in Inverness - the photos of the hostel on the site make it look very quaint and simple. I wonder if they are learning about the culture at the hostel or somewhere else along the way. 

JK Rowling's Cottage

From the People to People Itinerary

Starting from the old market town of Aberfeldy, practice newly learnt rafting skills on the River Tay [think they got to do this?] as it winds through rolling hills and stunning scenery, before the river drops away and creates the more challenging rapids that flow down to Grandtully.

If you are lucky, you may catch a glimpse of the home to famed author J.K. Rowling, located near the banks of the River Tay.

This evening has been arranged just for Student Ambassadors. You will participate in a living history demonstration from an ancient highlander! You will learn the traditions of Scotland in a way that brings to life your school books. Weapons, kilts and clans!

Can you hear them coming?

Inverness, Scotland

P2P Day 3: Golfing at St Andrews - My Brothers Are So Jealous

Both my brothers are wicked golfers, the youngest one maybe the most wicked. So imagine their surprise today when I forwarded this photo of Katie creating her first divot on the driving range at the Old Course in St. Andrews, Scotland.

I think I heard him screaming.

As it turns out, this wasn't St. Andrews, it's at a local golf academy, SRUC Elmwood Campus, where you can earn an International Golf Education!

It's not just that it looks like she's trying to kill a spider, but that grip! Oh my. Thankfully there are several photos of the kids on the Facebook page (which is private but you can see some here) and most of them look quite striking (double entendre intended? you be the judge).

Katie managed a quick call at 1:15pm and said it was such a relaxed day. They enjoyed the golfing and then the just kind of drove by the beach they talk about below and walked around St. Andrews.

Bopping around St. Andrews.

She was more amazed by the daylight at 9:15 at night and I reminded her it was the first day of summer - she didn't know. It was very light out - but I expect maybe the Wyoming people see more evening light than we do in Santa Cruz. [Just did a little research: Inverness, where they will be tomorrow, is nearly on the same latitude as Juneau, Alaska! They are up north!]

She said they've had plenty of time to eat so far this year (in year's past it can be a dine and dash situation) and the kids are all getting along and enjoying themselves. They head out tomorrow for a new location so this is the first time repacking (queue evil laugh) and I think they might get wet tomorrow!

From the People to People Itinerary:

• Be the envy of every golfer with a stop at the world-famous Old Course in St. Andrews.
• Visit one of Scotland's finest golfing academies, ElmwoodCollege, where you can try your hand at chipping and driving with help from a local golfer.
• Explore St. Andrews, one of the most historic towns in Scotland. St Andrews University, founded in 1412, was where Prince William, heir to the British throne, studied. (2001 - 2005) West Sands, is one of Scotland's best beaches and was the location for many scenes in the film 'Chariots of Fire'.

A view of St. Andrews golf course from the air. 

West Sands Beach...can't you just see Chariots of Fire?

P2P Day 2: Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile and Visions of Sleep

I love the delegation managers this year. They are great about communicating and posting pictures on Facebook and Instagram. This one is a favorite!

Katie managed to FaceTime me around 12:30pm my time (8:30pm their time) and she said she hadn't slept since I woke her up at 4am yesterday. Look at the snap, I'd say she looks like that!

She said the flight went well and when they arrived they were exhausted.

They stumbled around the castle and the mile but it was pretty free form today. [I don't even know how they were moving much less touring and I'm not sure they did the Royal Mile Murder Mystery referenced below.] Katie said everything was green and there's lot of water (which is a big deal when you're from California and the drought is in full swing). I predict many long showers in her immediate future.

She and her roommate were nesting and looking forward to getting some real sleep. I think she said her roomie was Morgan.

The leaders posted the group shot. I'm pleased to say that's my girl in the coral jacket who's either contemplating her navel or in a sleep-deprived face plant. Tomorrow they play golf. Her uncle will be so proud. I guess if you are in Scotland and you don't play golf you'd be a real nudge! Here's to a hole in one!

From the People to People Itinerary:

Today you arrive in Scotland; a land of amazing beauty with its soaring mountains and sparkling lochs. Scotland has an intricate past, which is expressed in a rich and diverse cultural heritage which you will enjoy during your stay in the country. Scotland’s currency is the GBP [on today's date, one pound is equal to $1.70 American - I weeping a little]. Do you have Scottish ancestry? Do you know your family clan name and tartan? [Katie's gramma is a Donald!]

• Welcome to Scotland! Meet your Delegation Manager upon arrival.
• Safety first, don’t forget that traffic runs a different direction in the UK than in the U.S. so be aware before getting to your motor coach. [Funny story, in New Zealand, Katie and another delegate nearly got picked off because of this problem! I reminded her to pay attention this time.]
• Visit Edinburgh Castle perched atop the crags of an ancient volcano right in the center of the city.
• See stunning Georgian andVictorian architecture and medieval streets, the Old Town of Edinburgh and capital of Scotland is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Have fun taking part in "The Royal Mile Murder Mystery'' - an interactive quiz along the famous Royal Mile. As its name suggests, it is approximately one Scottish mile long and runs between Edinburgh Castle at the top of Castle Rock, down to Holyrood Abbey.

Here's a link to this map of the area. 

And there's the Edinburgh Castle.Wow.

A few pics that came in from the delegation leaders (thank you!):

Edinburgh Castle

Lunch or snack or who knows!

On the Royal Mile

P2P: Oh Man - She's Leaving for Europe in Just Over a Week!

Math class, SnapChat, Desperation

But first she has to get through finals!

Katie's first year in high school was a real challenge. She loved the social part, she hated the academic part. Her school is on an excel schedule (which means one semester for a year-long class - fewer classes per semester but it goes fast and there's a lot to do!). But it's finally coming to an end and I looking at just for our days of having a freshman.

This year's journey with People to People will take her to England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. These are the lands of her people. Lush with green meadows, fantastic accents and good beer, er um, wait, that's for my blog - amazing sites, she'll be touring with a group from Santa Barbara, Ventura and Wyoming.

Katie will fly by herself to Chicago where she'll me up with the gang and then off they go on June 19th. Her tour is called Celtic Cultures. Here's what the website says about it:

Escape to a magical land famous for its medieval castles, alluring cultures, breathtaking landscapes … and leprechauns! It’s the UK as you’ve only imagined. Become an honorary knight during an exclusive tour of the spellbinding Warwick Castle. Shear sheep on a family-owned farm. Meet a legendary Scottish Highlander during a demonstration involving weapons, kilts, and clans! Experience these magnificent countries in ways that will inspire your imagination, feed your curiosity, and give you a new perspective on this amazing part of the world.

I can't wait to see photos of her shearing sheep! She'll come home alone too but at least she'll get all the way to LA with the gang before they send her packing back to San Jose. She'll be back on July 7th just in time to get ready for her 15th birthday.

I'll start blogging her itinerary on the 19th! Look for photos from the airport, links to the highlights and so much more. Thank you People to People!