Day 13: September 27, 2024 (A bagpipe Experience)

(by Léan, Hannah & Delia)

It is already Friday, and our trip is coming to an end. Before meeting up at 10:45 am, many of us used the time as usual: getting ready, eating breakfast, working on our portfolio or “hurkle-durkling” (Scottish for:  sleeping in). When everyone, even though with some delay, found their way to the common room, it was time to reveal the winners (and losers) of the quiz. Luckily even the losers were granted a small consolation gift. The winning group, Marie, Rebecca and Katharina, won some Scotland-inspired key chains. 

Then we yet again walked (today at a slightly slower pace) into the city to a bagpiping workshop. After we got a little introduction about the bagpipes and their history, we all got handed out a practice chanter. (A practice chanter is the front part of the bagpipe and looks and works similarly to a flute. We soon noticed that a lot of air is needed to produce a clean sound but after some time we were all able to manage this.) Our instructor taught us our first notes which then formed our first song played on the practice chanter. Afterwards some brave people even tried to play the newly learned song on a real bagpipe. Even though this was a bit of a challenge they all performed really well!

We all had incredible fun and left with a nice memory of our last activity together with the whole class.

Later in the afternoon, everybody could do different things. Some people went straight to a restaurant, looked for souvenirs for their parents and friends and stepped into various thrift shops. Others went to our Hostel and relaxed while playing cards. Another group visited a café which also happened to be a bookstore. Even though the day was pretty cool, it turned out to be a sad day for every Potterhead (not only Potterheads…comment Ms Ruf), because today Dame Maggie Smith, the actress who played Professor McGonagall in the famous Harry Potter movies, had sadly died. 

After the different afternoon programs, it was time for dinner and we were free to choose where to eat. Some went into the same Thai restaurant, we went some days ago, and others went to a Lebanese restaurant and the rest cooked something at the hostel. After dinner it was important to pack our luggage because the following day we were to leave very early in the morning at 6:30 am! Hopefully no one will oversleep...










Beliebte Posts aus diesem Blog

Day 2: September 16, 2024 (Exploring Edinburgh)

Bild
(by Ylva & Lou) We (apartment 9) woke up at around eight o’clock, got ready and went to the little grocery store five minutes away from our apartment. After having breakfast together, we met with all the others in the lobby at ten. We walked to the Scottish parliament where the first presentation was held. The weather was surprisingly sunny and warm. After that we walked to Victoria street and the Greyfriars Kirkyard- then it was lunchtime individually and we were sitting on stairs in the sun.  Later we met again for a presentation in Dean Village, a nice quarter about 30 minutes away from our lunch spot. The village’s architecture was Victorian with Gothic elements. Dean Park was a nice change of scenery with its green, calm atmosphere and its little river.  We ended our afternoon program with the visit of Edinburgh castle and a funny presentation by Rebecca and Tugba.   We (apartment 9) decided to go shopping for dinner immediately and cook in advance so we wouldn’t have to cook
Mehr anzeigen

Day 1: September 15, 2024 (Basel - Edinburgh: A journey - which probably won't make it into the history books)

Bild
(by Katharina & Marie) At 6 o’clock in the morning, when not even the sun had yet dared to rise, we all gathered at the French part of the railway station in Basel. Some of us had just woken up, while others hadn’t bothered to go to sleep at all.  Now, all more or less awake, we started the first stage of our long journey – the train to Strasbourg. A train ride not worth mentioning, as we all either slept, ate or stared silently out of the window.  The switch to our train to Paris Nord went smoothly as well. Everyone had their interrail passes ready, nothing got lost and no one was forgotten.  The mood was just slightly dimmed by a rather sulky monsieur, who wasn’t quite pleased with our speed when arranging the luggage.  Except for the bumpy start, the ride went without further incidents, and we spend the time by reading, knitting or the most favored activity of all: sleeping.   Arriving in Paris punctually, we had some time to kill. The more ambitious group of us went on the hunt
Mehr anzeigen

Day 3: September 17, 2024 (A Day full of History and Culture)

Bild
(by Lea & Vivienne) Today we went to the National Museum of Ednburgh, and of course we went there by foot. Mostly stairs, which reminded us slightly of home - like the famous Leo stairs.  Once arrived at our destination, we learned a lot about Scottish history. We did a quiz first. Afterwards, we were given some time to stroll around the museum and look at some fun exhibitions. At the technology department we finally spotted her- see it, say it, sorted- Dolly, or rather Dolly spotted us. Our beloved friend we got to know in the biology class. We were all desperately looking forward to examining the only ever cloned mammal, in the museum. But the part that interested us most was - the fashion exhibition, where we got to see a lot of tartan but also quite interestingly, different historic pieces - such as this one: called: the Court mantua, worn in the early 18th century. To give their figure a slight hourglass shape, women wore a corset or panniers underneath. This one belonged to Q
Mehr anzeigen