This morning we were up and at 'em’ by 8:20 to catch the Bus to Edinburgh Napier University- Merchiston Campus. It was here we met Dr. David Jarman, Lecturer and undergraduate Programme Leader for ENU. Dr. Donna Lee Sullins and Dr. Jarman have known each other virtually for 4 years so it was exciting to see this introduction/meeting in person occur. This campus is 1 of 3 ENU locations in Edinburgh.
We walked up this small concrete spiral staircase to a conference room to have a conversation with Dr. Jarman about his career history and other questions of note. This was a portion of the birthplace of John Napier built in 1454. The campus grew up around this beautiful building full of history.
We then took another bus to ENU Craiglockhart Campus, with the Western Craiglockhart hill behind it. Dr. Jarman explained the history behind the original building as it began as a hotel. It then became a Hospital during the First World War, where some of the greatest war poems were ever written and it is still displayed there today.
We then settled into the beautiful Lindsay Lecture theater. It was there we had an insightful discussion with Dr. Jarman regarding events, logistics, best practices and potential suggestions of the Festivals we attended, the Festival Fringe and The Bridge of Allan Highland Games.
After meeting with Dr. Jarman, myself, Taylor, Ally navigated the bus to make our way to the Edinburgh Dungeon. On the bus Ally sat next to a sweet fellow bus rider who explained her profession was an event planner for officials in London. Such a small world as Ally explained our purpose here in Edinburgh and they proceeded to have an engaging conversation until we reached our stop. Mackenzie met us after her lunch concluded. The next hour and a half was an interactive history lesson with the dark secrets of Edinburgh, albeit true of witches, haunted forests and severe punishment to those who committed a crime and were guilty by trial.
(Legend) After the other group got done with discussions at the university and the groups spilt up, my group got an Uber back to the Royal Mile to eat lunch at Bella Italia. Which the group got various pasta dishes, sodas with lemons and I got a tasty fruit smash. After lunch we made the walking journey back to the hotel stopping at a gift shop. An insane number of people have now entered the city of Edinburgh for all the festivals and military shows.
Once back at the hotel we got a little bit of time to take naps and relax. After relaxation time, I got ready to go to the Fringe show Shamilton, which is a little like Hamilton but it’s improvised and the audience gets to pick who they are singing about. Our show picked Simone Biles and then asked us different facts about her to base the musical on. This show was an hour long and had us all laughing especially when they brought up Texas only has Tsunamis, humidity, and sunshine. I think everyone really enjoyed it. After the show we grabbed dinner from food trucks in a little courtyard that surrounded the fringe venue. Then we made our journey to the Military Tattoo queue to get in line.
Words cannot even describe how amazing the Military Tattoo show was. We walked in not fully knowing what to expect but it exceeded all expectations. It was not one band but many bands from other countries including the U.S. and they played Danger Zone by Kenny Loggins. India was also featured and the Citadel from Charleston. We were in the presence of British Royalty at the Tattoo as Her Royal Highness Princess Royal Anne was a surprise guest. With the conclusion of each performance, Princess Anne would stand showing her appreciation on a job well done.
Thanks for reading!
Legend and Dana
No comments:
Post a Comment