...continued

Its been several days since my last posting so I figure I'd better give y'all an update. I'm starting to realize keeping up with blogs is quite difficult with everything that goes on during international travel.

I think I'll start with talking a bit more about my journey through the Highlands of Scotland and Loch Ness. The Highlands literally are a photographer's dream. I saw so much breathtaking scenery there, and got quite frustrated at times when a particularly beautiful area was on the opposite side of the bus and I was unable to snap a picture as we passed. That's another frustrating thing. Taking pictures through a glass while moving is not the best way to get a great photo, besides the fact that I've only been using my little point and shoot camera. I've finally admitted defeat with my SLR. No matter how hard I try I cannot get the damn thing to focus, and the depth of field is always way too shallow no matter what aperture I have it set on. Sorry if this all sound like Greek to some of you, the gist is that I need a new camera.

But I have been able to get some half way decent shots with my new point and shoot. I'll put a couple of them up. Now let me tell you the thing that scared me most about Loch Ness.

So y'all know the whole story about the mythical Loch Ness monster. There have been reported sightings for hundreds of years, the first was by a missionary who is now a saint, though regretfully I cannot remember his name. I used to be completely fascinated by the possibility of a huge, foreign aquatic creature residing in the depths of the loch. Since then I've lost some interest, but all the goosebumps and excitement came back on a boat ride I took across the loch when I visited. I was on The Royal Scot, and despite the cold spent most of my time on deck looking out at the shore and watching the choppy grey waters. The captain came on the intercom periodically to give some information about the loch, and at one point he said something that completely terrified me.

The loch is one of the deepest in Scotland, and by volume contains the most water in the UK. I believe it is over 1000 ft. deep in some parts. In these areas reside enormous fish. Not Nessie, but just as frightening. Some that have been caught have been 9 ft. long! These fish are carnivores, and feed on smaller creatures in the deep. However, when the pickings get slim, they have been known to rise to the surface and feed on what they find up there. This includes humans. How messed up is that? These aren't sharks, just huge, flesh eating fish. Thinking of them lurking somewhere down there gave me the shivers. Yet of course I went frolicking in the water immediately after I got off the boat...just in the shallow area, though.

On our way back from Loch Ness we passed some fantastic views. The clouds cleared enough for me to get a glimpse of the top of Ben Nevis, Scotland's highest mountain. It's actually not that tall, only 4409 ft, but the weather is so unpredictable mountaineers often use it as a training ground for Everest.

I was also able to get off the bus to take a walk through an old highland forest. I'm starting to run out of favorable adjectives to describe the things I've seen here, but believe me when I say it was stunning. The air was thick with moisture and everything was light green and smelled fresh. The smells in Scotland are an experience of their own. There are some areas here on campus where I just have to stop in my tracks and inhale. I've encountered the most addictive and pleasant smell here, and it's unfortunate I can't find a way to preserve it. I feel a bit like the madman in Perfume, though not as homicidal.

Tomorrow if I get a chance I'll take a video of the area around the loch here. I ran around it today and saw a huge array of wildlife. I felt a bit like Snow White surrounded by little woodland creatures and a castle. I'm still trying to find a way to put up videos on here. For some reason it's not letting me do it the normal way. If not then I'll be happy to show anyone in person when I get back.

Well, I'd better get some sleep before tomorrow. Essays, jogging, and a second, hopefully more successful trek to Wallace monument await. Oh, that reminds me! So in Scotland there is a fabulous law that makes this heaven for backpackers, explorers, and nosy people. This law is called "Right to Roam", and it means you can wander anywhere. Seriously, anywhere. We girls decided to trek up to Wallace monument, and instead of following the directions, we took the law seriously and roamed through woods, fields, and people's yards. We had an incident at one point when our path was blocked by an old stone wall that we had to crawl over, then drop a good distance into a road on the other side. I managed to get a picture of our token Canadian venturing over before something bit the hell out of my foot in the grass I was standing in.

View of Wallace monument

The girls and me in front of the Glencoe mountain range

The Scotch mist!