Scotland: Day Three

Our bus trip yesterday wasn't much to write home about. A bus by any other name still smells...well, you get the point.

The countryside here is obviously beautiful; the number of sheep alone is fairly indicative of what the main form of industry here is.

We arrived at our hotel yesterday evening and were in a bit of a funk, having been uprooted from magestic Edinburgh and subjected to the eclectic patrons of the bus line. We checked in to the Holiday Inn Express (It's free, so I'm not complaining) near the conference center, which is pretty secluded from downtown Aberdeen. It took a while to settle in to our room and deal with the logistics of towels, bedding and delivery food. Let me just tell you that ordering Chinese food from someone with a Scotish accent was not one of my proudest moments, but it certainly was memorable.

Today we started the day out right with the hotel's breakfast, which being a chain still clings to the same standards an American Holiday Inn would, but there is a distinct Scotish flair. Emily checked in with her conference and then the three of us headed downtown on the bus. We poked around the city a bit before deciding to take advantage of our newly-aquired bus passes and head over to the beach.

Aberdeen is situated on the North Sea and draws most of its wealth from the offshore oil industry. It's harbors are filled with supply ships, but the beach to the north of City Center is clear and calm. Oil ships dot the seascape and several lighthouses are visible in the distance. A small strip of quaint restaurants adjoins the sea strand as does a fantastically cheesy carnival and arcade area. We chose to miss out on the ferris wheel and roller coaster rides to escort Emily back to City Center so she could hop the bus back to the conference center for a few sessions. Unfortunately, E is actually here for a reason and occasionally has to drop back to reality, which leaves Mom and me in the precarious situation of two small children in a candy shop. We are both giddy with the excitement of travel and are enjoying just reveling in the small discoveries of each location we visit.

After fortifying ourselves with a pint and a bite to eat at The Blackfriar Pub, we set out to explore. Aberdeen is fantastic unto itself. Edinburgh may be able to boast a number of historically significant sights, but Aberdeen's old world architecture simply seems to blend seamlessly with the modern shops, restaurants, and, especially, the pubs...of which there are many...and we are so very thankful.

Mom and I wandered aimlessly around the city, discovering beautiful gardens, mossy cemeteries and always, gorgeous domes, church spires and impressive building facades filling the skyline.

After stopping back at the hotel for a bit of rest, we headed out to Ma Cameron's Pub for dinner. They claim to be the oldest pub in Aberdeen, but we're suspecting they just put up the plaque and no one has bothered to ask them to take it down. The atmosphere was fantastic and the food your typical pub fare. I have a feeling I'll be done with comfort food by the time I get back home,but oh, will I miss the beer!