As with any grand adventure, there’s always some sort of transportation recipe. This particular adventure to Scotland called for:

01. one 490-mile road trip to Fort Smith
02. one 85-mile road trip to XNA
03. one 597-mile flight from XNA —> MPS
04. one 4159-mile flight from MPS —> AMS
05. one 447-mile flight from AMS —> GLA
06. one 50-mile road trip to Edinburgh

Total miles traveled: 5,828

can we talk about airports for a minute?

This is a rant, because airports have to be one of the most poorly designed things in the world. They’re either too hot or too cold. They charge $15 for a beer. They’re Mecca for fast food. Those motorized carts are literally a threat to the people not in them. (Why aren’t there specific areas for those things?? Seriously, they need their own aisles.) And if, God forbid, you’re tired, you can’t sleep because all the plastic chairs have arms to prevent it. (More airports need nap pods.) To top it all off, Atlanta has tvs shouting CNN at you on loop! Don’t even get me started on customs and security in the US.

Are any airports even designed for people?

Why do airports and airplanes seem to be the least thoughtful businesses in the world? But I digress…this is about Scotland.

the incident

During our longest flight, there was a small incident. We thought someone from our group had died. For real. In flight. In the middle of the night. Over the Atlantic.

She was unresponsive, slouched down in her seat, and pale. The flight attendants announced a medical emergency and asked if anyone onboard was a doctor. My mom and I looked at each other with wide eyes, not prepared for the trauma of tourmate death.

She wasn’t dead, but it sure seemed like it for a while. She came to and promptly threw up on herself. Apparently, this wasn’t the first time something like this had happened, but she hadn’t thought it was necessary to mention it beforehand…..We’re very glad you didn’t die, Betty.

arrival in scotland

Two and a half days later, we arrived at the Radisson Blu in Edinburgh, Scotland.

photo by Kristian Hoff-Andersen http://hoff-andersen.blogspot.com/2012/08/ian-begg-and-scottish-vernacular.html

Doesn’t is look like a castle?? (We’ll ignore the fact that it was built in the 90s.) If you’re looking for a great place to stay, I highly recommend Radisson Blu (and they have locations all over the world). Great staff, nice rooms, comfy beds, and a choice of pillows! Plus, the view!

My mom, my roommate Elizabeth, and I mosied across the street to a pub called The Royal Mile (highly creative…). Inside, we were greeted with a cozy space and a charming waiter from Australia. Score one for Scotland.

And I had my first Scottish brew!

Plus….the haggis, neeps, and tatties!

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Up next: Holyrood Palace and Edinburgh Castle

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