So far I have found it waaaay too difficult to study here in Edinburgh, Scotland. There are far too many distractions. I knew it would be tough, but I had no idead it would be THIS tough.
Each night I come home to our rented apartment with the best of intentions, but so far I've had very little success. Most of the time I either want to go down to the pubs and knock back a pint, or I want to get something to eat and after I've eaten I'm just way too tired to actually study. That stinks. Yeah, I know it's supposed to be a vacation and I'm supposed to enjoy myself and not worry about school while I'm away, but I brought my work with me for a reason, and that's to make sure I don't fall behind.
As you can see, it isn't working. My cunning plan has been dismantled by the city and my enjoyment of it.
So far we've spent time touring the city and have visited Holyrood Palace and Edinburgh Castle. The palace, Scottish home to the royal family when they are in the country, wasn't very impressive, to be honest. The most impressive part was the ruins of the former abbey that is adjacent to the palace. But far more impressive is Edinburgh Castle. A formidable battlement built high atop a hill in the middle the Scottish capitol city, touring that site gave you a very real sense of history. No question, I will tell you, that the sense of what had taken place on those very stones beneath my feet was palpable.
Oh, and to keep this post on the proper educational plane, I will mention that during our tours we were introduced to a number of Scotland's institution of higher learning, including a great look at Edinburgh University.
Tomorrow we're off to visit the royal yacht. I hope it stays afloat...