Europe Update

Greetings! I have had almost no internet access in my time here, but I have a brief moment here at Amy's friend's Hannah's house.

I've had a wonderful time. Outside of my foot. Somehow (perhaps the ultimate frisbee I played on a rock solid beach before leaving) I've hurt my left foot and for the first couple of days both feet and shins were very sore. It made me a bit of a slow companion for Amy which she has handled quite patiently.

Re-uniting with her was great. It was just a joy to see her and hug her and yea I think we both were kind of trying to figure out how to act and react at first. Is that really you? This isn't a phone conversation? We are going to have several days together? It was really almost surreal, but we've gotten past a very initial bit of that to once again the almost disturbing two sides of a coin we've become. It's amazing how we compliment each other.

Our first couple of days in London we saw a live show in the theatre district.. it was The Producers, which has also been a recent film. It was a terrific show, just fantastic. Amy especially loved it. I mean I can only love musicals so much after all. It's a musical. Still the sets and the show and the comedy was all quite wonderful. Amy had the songs in her head for a couple of days.

The next day was our attack of the tourist... Buckingham Palace (which was gorgeous, the park surrounding it was just beautiful, and we saw a practice for the Queen's birthday celebrations with guards on horses and what not... wonderful), London Tower, Big Ben (or Big Peace Tower.. well I still like ours better), The Tower Bridge, etc.

London is nice, but not quite as spectacular as we really expected it to be. I mean it wasn't I dunno... as busy and lively in New York. Not that I wanted it to be New York, but I expected it to be more of a crazy big city that it was. Certainly more calm and less big buildings than I thought. Not a BAD thing at all but just not something I expected.

Then off on a long bus journey to Edinburgh... 9 hours on the MegaBus which was VERY cheap but actually not bad or a relic or anything. Quite comfortable. Slept on it too which you know I do.

Scotland has been my favourite part of the trip. It feels so much like home to me somehow. I guess because the cities are more built like Canadian cities... with Edinburgh being kind of Ottawa to Glasgow's Toronto. Everyone is very friendly. And the scenery is amazing. I mean for those who havn't been to Cape Breton you won't know... but it's very comparable to that wonderful Canadian island. Yet at the same time on that beautiful scenery is plucked much larger cities with buildings that have histories dating back further than we can imagine over here. I enjoyed so much for example visiting Edinburgh Castle and seeing this fortress that has been used for hundreds and hundreds of years by all sorts of different armies. Like when Queen Mary's army fought Prince James' army while she was locked up and he was an infant... don't think they had much to do with it, eh?

Our base here is Hannah's parent's house where her parents treated us to a wonderful full home cooked meal our first day here, which was just a joy given we'd been eating out for several and Amy hadn't had home cooked food for months. They are a very nice couple with an adorable golden retrieve that I am convinced I must steal.

Then we went with Hannah to Glasgow and stayed at her appartment.. met her very nice boyfriend Neale. He's politically minded and full of opinions, so clearly he and I had nothing to talk about.

They took us on a long walk through Glasgow just to see the city. It, not being the capital like Edinburgh, is a completley different city. Not nearly as many old buildings, far more large office buildings... much more of a modern city. That's why I make the Toronto/Ottawa comparison, although Ottawa is still more modern and busy than Edinburgh. I don't know if I made it clear enough how unique (at least to uneducated Shawn) that city is. We had a great walk through the university older than Canada (1452 for University of Glasgow) and down to the old shipyards that used to have ship building for miles and now have NONE. That was depressing to hear how the city's main industry just died. Also very interesting to get their take on what politics are like in Scotland. How a student union leader has to write a public apology letter for allowing God Save the Queen to play at a public event. How the European Union has changed the economic landscape. How Scots relate to other Brits and being a part of the UK.

I forgot to mention, the weather has been amazing. No rain what so ever. What's this about the UK having lots of rain, and old wives tale.

They essentially played tour guides through the city and we had a tremendous several hour walk before crashing. Then today they took us to a small town I unfortunately can't at this second remember the name of. What a terrific opportunity to visit a smaller community in the country and get a sense of what it's really like outside the major markets. Beautiful beautiful beautiful country side. I can't stress enough how gorgeous it was. We had a long walk through a park and saw just great views and about a million dogs. As you can imagine Amy and I were loving that. One rascal was totally covered in mud and got some on Hannah's jeans while looking about as proud of himself as a dog could possibly look.

We had lunch at a pub and later came back for a pint of beer. I can finally say that, Dad! I tried a few different ones out here and really liked them. I even learned that Budweiser is originally European, and had one of those old style Buds. So much for an American tradition.

Finally back to Edinburgh today.

This is my first trip online and I only found out through a phone call this morning to Hannah's boyfriend what happened in the Oilers game. I've had a few attacks of bitterness and hopelessness throughout the day knowing we've lost Roloson, and we lost a 3-0 lead. I'm almost happy I missed the game, becuase it would likely have driven me to an earlier grave. Needless to say Ive thought often of my Oilers while here - and am very much hoping my plans to SEE the game live at a London bar tomorrow night pan out. Think of me when you're all watching it, and give all your good karma and positive thoughts to a team that desperate needs it. Could they possible go through more? 3/4 of the team gets sick last round and now this? I can't take it, thank god I'm in Europe right now and am easily distracted.

A long bus ride back to London tomorrow and one more day there Thursday before I'm back home Friday. It all happens way too fast - yet at the same time I miss the comforts of home and Canada all ready. I'm a wimp. Being here has been a joy but I love hom, I don't know if I have the capacity to travel as many of you do... I'm no Rob Maddock that's for sure.

For those also close to Amy know she's doing wonderfully. She's as beautiful, charming and full of life as I remembered... and is dying to get home to see those she loves. Of course only for a few short days before I steal her away again and she's in Owen Sound with Tinker and myself for a couple of months.

I'll be seeing Dad on Saturday hopefully if all goes according to plan. What a whirlwind it is, given I'm working Saturday morning at 4am.

I wish I could see more of this world. Ireland is calling my name. Mainland Europe is certainly a massive curiosity now more so than it ever was. However, I'll stick to living in Canada thanks.

Love you all, see you soon hopefully. I wish I could get to Ottawa sooner.

GO OILERS GO!!!!!

Shawn Mullin