The Botanics

Yesterday we went to the Royal Botanical Garden. It was nice, but not all that impressive. I expected more of a garden, but this was really more of a park. Longwood Gardens outside of Philidelphia is much better. That said, the Royal Botanical Gardens were free (which Longwood isn't, so there you go). The most interesting thing there was the sign warning about SODS, Sudden Oak Death. We had to walk through a clensing solution to get rid of any contamination on our shoes.

Actually, most of the museums are free here. It is really great for the tourist. I have thought about going back to the National Gallery a few times because all of the paintings were incredible, and I'm sure that my eyes were tired after the 100th Italian oil painting.

While walking around, waiting to cross the street, a woman walked by telling her child, "Now sweetie, watch for the wee green man." It was perhaps the funniest thing I've heard out of context. Of course, she was referring to the green man across the street signifying that it was safe to walk.

It is the small things that tell you that you aren't home. Pubs actually play David Bowie. You don't have to tip your bartender. If you walk by construction, often there is a warning sign that says "Danger Heavy Plant Crossing," which makes me dreadfully nervous that Treebeard is going to appear and wallop me. Instead of saying "thanks" they say "Ta". These are just the most recent observations.

Today, Frankie, Nora, and I had a knockdown, dragout discussion on the virtues and vices of being a Vegan. I was unaware that vegans didn't eat honey. Frankie is a vegan, which means I can't understand how she subsists. I told her that I would be fine with being a vegan as long as I could kill my own meat and eat it. That didn't go over to well. Turns out vegans won't eat carrion either?! I was flabbergasted. No seriously, we went to a nice vegetarian restaurant, and we enjoyed ourselves with frivolous discussion, though I imagine the people sitting beside us were ready to cast out this strange brutish man extolling the virtues of eating meat.

I did laundry today, and because I'm a cheapskate, I'm dring my clothes in my room. Mariah would be proud. I'm sure the cleaning lady was happy with the situation. My paper is finished. I haven't been taking many pictures, so tomorrow I'm going to go to Eidon Hills (close to Melrose Abbey) and take tons. I've been bored the last few days since everyone has been working on thier papers (including me). We went to a great pub called Sandy Bells yesterday after dinner as a way of cooling the head down a bit. They play live folk music there every night, and after hearing more and more of it, I'm convinced I want to try to pick up a banjo. I remember Dad playing one as a kid, and have always loved the rhythms. Mariah said I should just do the guitar, but I think that is boring. We will see. I think I'm going to set aside some money for a purchase when I get back to the states.

Until tomorrow.