Pre-New Year's Eve activities

Monday began four days of New Year festivities here in Edinburgh, and they do go all out.

There is a whole new set of ride to enjoy just down from my dorm. Rides that throw people up and into the air, something I am not a fan of. Some people like the adrenaline rush. Mine comes from watching the people being shot into the air and not falling to their deaths.

Swinging arm of death

Fireworks to start the Torchlight procession

The beginning of the torchlight procession.

Following these gentlemen was a bagpipe band and then about an hour and half of people carrying torches. There must have been thousands of people total. I was able to get video and figure it will be better than posting the many pictures I took. Robin and I did not purchase a torch ourselves and follow the procession to the top of Calton Hill. We were just content to watch and take pictures of the thousands of people with flaming torches pass us.

And as we watched the flames pass I couldn't help but think that something like this would never fly in the states. To many potential lawsuits waiting to happen.

The New Year's Eve festivities fun from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Check back soon for pictures and details of the events. It should prove to be my most exciting New Years Eve ever. The complete list of Hogmanay events is listed on their website.

I wish everyone a very Happy New Years and all the best in the year to come.

Kirsten Allen 360°

First, I apologize to Anderson. Second there will be no news breaking stories, or in depth analysis of a current international crisis. I am still on Christmas break.

I hiked to the top of Arthur's Seat today with friends. Other than being so cold that the frost didn't melt, it was a lovely hike, with a crystal clear view at the top where I was able to take some photos and a video at the top.

So, in the season of giving I give to you some photos and video from Arthur's Seat.

Looking east toward the North Sea

Isle of Inchcolm - Supposedly visited by St. Columba, believed to have brought Christianity to Scotland

Edinburgh Castle

My friend Robin who came to visit for the holidays - I am the other person in the photo just in case you can't tell it is me, especially with the hat and sunglasses.

Looking east, with the frost that never saw the sun

Me

For the family

Again, not the greatest video but, I try, and trying is half the battle.

Christmas Eve in Edinburgh

I think I picked the one program at the University of Edinburgh where the due date for papers is after the Christmas holidays, which of course, is stupid and one reason to never go to Harvard where they do the same thing. So after finishing one paper, I am taking time off to a) update my blog, b) let my brain rest and c) celebrate Christmas.

I attended the carol service at the church this evening and then had pancakes with the missionaries, who will take pity on just about anybody. It was fun and of course there are pictures to prove that I did not spend the evening in my dorm room.

This the leaning tower of Edinburgh. The tree lists a bit, and if it falls over it will hit the dorm that is behind it. The wind was blowing so hard the other day that most of the lights went out, but they have got them back on.

This is Sister Williams. She is from Afton, WY which is in Star Valley and just one valley over from Swan Valley where my Grandparents live. So we have a good time talking about all of the places we know.

These are the Elders that were there for pancakes. This is not even half of the elders that are in Edinburgh. We are over run with Elders. But all very cool kids. Two are from CA, one is from Romania and the other three are from the UK.

This is Sister Naulls (from Wales) and Sister Sheffield (from Highland, UT and not the Highlands of Scotland) the other sister missionaries (they are currently in a threesome). I go out with them probably once a week. I am cooking pancakes.

My friend Robin arrives tomorrow morning for a week of fun, so if you are really good for Santa there may be more pictures.

I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas. It is when you are away from family that you realize that the important part of Christmas is not the gifts but the chance you have to be surrounded by those you love.

Christmas gift possibility

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International Human Rights Day

Sixty years ago today the General Assembly of the United Nations drafted and adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in response to the atrocities of World War II. This seminal document has formed the foundation of all other human rights instruments created since.

Many don't stop and think about the human rights they enjoy but there are so many who live each day without any guarantee that their basic right to life will be respected.

Edinburgh at night

The guilt of not posting for my faithful readers has gotten to me. But since the paper writing marathon has begun, there is little time for much posting. So, I am taking the easy way out and posting a couple of photos my friend Geoff took from his kitchen window. The view from his flat is much better than mine.


Both pictures of Prince's Gardens. This is where they have set up the Christmas village. There are reindeer and supposedly Santa Claus comes everyday to feed them so that they are strong for flying on Christmas eve. The village also has a commercial center where one can buy overpriced nick nacks. I have wandered through but have remained strong. There is also a skating rink, something I stay far away from.

There are Christmas lights on the trees. It is not temple square but the lights are pretty. If only you could enjoy the beauty without freezing to death. And yet, there are people out and about in nothing more than jeans and a t-shirt (boys) or short skirts and revealing tops (girls) and they are not covering up any of that bare flesh, to which I say, if you get hypothermia, you brought it upon yourself, you slaves to fashion...or stupidity.

I promise more posts about my trip to the highlands are coming. Give me a couple of weeks.