Friday, February 9, 2007

Snow, free tours and school, oh my!

We finally got some sticky snow, even though it was only a couple of centimeters. Here's the snow right outside my window...

And here's a wee bit of snow on Salisbury Crags, right by Dynamic Earth...

All of it was even lovelier in person! Also, with the (literally) freezing temperatures we're having, I've gotten to use my puffy brown, knee-length jacket with faux fur lined hood; I feel like I'm walking around still wrapped up in the duvet from my bed!

In just a few weeks' time I'll be heading out on a 3 day tour to the Isle of Skye in the northwest of Scotland! I had heard great things about Rabbie's Trail Burners, located on the Royal Mile, so I went to see them last Monday. Since I still had my ASVA pass from the trip to the zoo, I asked if they had a discount for ASVA, not really expecting much. The fella at the desk wasn't sure and asked someone else in the shop. She didn't know either and told him to call up someone to ask about it. So, he calls, and I'm waiting patiently, telling him my name and that I'm with Dynamic Earth, etc. He hangs up the phone and says, "Yes, you do get a discount... Free!" I couldn't believe it and blurted out, "Are you sure?" He booked me on a tour and told me to give a call back a week before to just confirm that the tour would be going on the date I wanted. (In the slower months, one has to have patience and understand that a tour bus cannot just go with one visitor aboard!) I will need to pay for my lodging in a hostel or B&B and food but that would have been extra anyway. This is saving me the 79 pounds (roughly $155) that I would have paid for the 3 day trip (click there to see the itinerary)!

For those of you keeping up on my academic life, I've decided to ditch the Anthroplogy minor idea. Why, you say? (Or perhaps you don't say and I'm just stuffing words into your mouth.) Well, I looked at what I would need to get my half finished minor in Community Development and it is decidedly less than I remembered. It would take less time, less money and less insanity to complete. Less is more, sometimes.

And with that, I shall end this post. Thanks for tuning in and, if you want me to know you've been reading, leave me a comment! =)

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I went to the web site for the Isle of Skye tour. I want to come! Take plenty of pictures, especially of the natural wonders during day 2. Your Community Development to Anthropology to Community Development round-trip makes sense. Less is more, indeed. Also, I wonder if some of your readers really don't know how to leave a comment. I talked with one of your aunts (identity withheld) who said she didn't know how to do it. Maybe you could leave instructions in the body of your next post. Is there a link to take readers to a clear explanation? Have a great rest of the weekend.

Anonymous said...

So when exactly are you planning on graduating?

Liza said...

Hey Nickie! I'll technically graduate in Fall but I'd like to do commencement in the Summer. What about you, when do you finish up?

Alicia Duncan said...

I'm so jealous, Liza! I think you are going on the very same Isle of Skye tour that we went on. Except I didn't even think to ask for an ASVA/ODE discount! Have a great time!! You'll fall in love with the Scottish Highlands for sure.

Anonymous said...

This is your 'identity-withheld' aunt - I figured it out, thanks to Barry's easy instructions. I just wanted to let you know that I do check into your blog once or twice a week, and am nostalgic for the old days of travel-travel-travel. We can't wait for retirement so we can do it again - I'm sure Scotland will be on our list. (I wonder what the 'elder' hostel accomodations are like...) Enjoy.
Aunt Sally