School’s out, I’m on my way to Scotland, and, as usual, playing catch-up with photos.  Not much in the way of interesting photos, unfortunately.  Don’t worry though- I’m not gonna let that stop me from posting them.

Unfortunately, some of the more notable events of the past weekend went undocumented.  The true Champion of America in my class (Hi!) went and bought fireworks to set off on the fourth.  Alas, I was too sleepy on the fourth to set them off, but we did do them on the fifth.  Sparklers, of course, and some pretty sweet mini-firework things.  I don’t know what to call them.  I expected them to be like roman candles, but they were like legit fireworks, only smaller.  Anyhow, they were awesome, even if they were a day late.  But no photos!  What a loser.

I also didn’t take photos of the weekend, except for Sunday night, once I got to Cardiff, but I’m getting ahead of myself.  Saturday I got to go to an American-style restaurant in Chester, England to watch the Lions (the pan-British rugby team) defeat Australia.  My hosts were not unaware of the humor in taking Americans to watch rugby in an American bar in England, but, humor or not, it was a great decision.  I haven’t been gone long enough to be homesick or anything, but it was still nice to be in a place whose flavors, atmosphere, and portion-size felt like it belonged in Houston or Austin..  (Also felt like Chicago- I had probably three Honker’s Ale, which I really have missed.  Also, they had Honker’s!)

Chester is a cool town, and I definitely wish I’d had a camera, but I guess it’s a reason to go back again.  Beautiful river, giant race track/polo field (grounds?  Idk.) cool old buildings- basically everything an American is looking for.  Of course, I’m skipping the best part of the weekend, which was my fantastic hosts, who didn’t make me feel that bad for making them late to the rugby match and who really went out of their way to show me  & my American classmate a great time, including not only the tour of Chester and lunch, but a barbecue with their friends, a place to stay, and breakfast & a ride to the train station the next morning.  Hospitality!

If wi-fi in the hotel is good, I’ll try to post photos from Cardiff (Sunday/Monday) and London (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) tonight, but more likely I’ll be practicing my Scotch drinking.