Selena's Scotland Summer

Greetings, Friends! I’m Selena and am thrilled to be taking you along on my journey to Scotland. We’re going to have such a marvelous time exploring the cathedrals and museums and castles and islands. Can’t wait to have you come along with me! First stop- Portland International Airport (also called PDX).

That carpet is so famous they sell socks and mugs and coasters with the pattern. Isn’t that a fun idea? It was cool to see them get the plane ready. I had no idea it took so much preparation for just one plane. So many people working hard out there just for us! And you can tell they’re doing a good job because of all the jet trails in the sky. Our plane will add one more very soon.

I knew the two flights were going to be really long. I wanted to be sure to get my caffeine. Here’s my iced coffee!!!

That sure hit the spot. I was a little scared when the propellers started going because they were SO loud. And the engine made the plane vibrate.

And then I started thinking about what was going to happen. This metal thing was going to be really high up in the air and somehow moving us across the country and then over a huge ocean… Yikes! But I felt safer once I knew what to do in an emergency. Good thing they have these little info cards for us.

I was excited but a little bit sad to wave goodbye to Portland.

See you soon!

I’ve heard there are lots of mountains in Scotland. I wonder how they’ll compare to these?

Guess that’s the benefit of being really high above the ground. What a view! We finally landed in England. We headed to York that night and got some much-needed rest. The next morning we walked to York Minster Cathedral. It was not only huge but also really pretty. I learned a lot. The cathedral is actually built on the ruins of an old Roman fort.

After the cathedral, we took a train to Edinburgh. (Pronounced Ed-in-burr-oh… in case you go there someday.) We had enough time to check out the Royal Mile before we went to bed. It’s a big, big street in the middle of the oldest part of Edinburgh that has a castle on both ends. In between are a lot of shops.

Here’s a picture of me at the Scottish Storytelling Center.

It’s in the John Knox House, which is the oldest building on the Royal Mile (built in 1450).

I’m so excited for the next few days! We’re staying here in Edinburgh for three days. Then we’ll start making our way to the Cairngorms. We’ll find out if they look like the Canadian Rockies or not.

Hasta La Vista!

-Selena