Costumes, campfires, and castles.. oh my!

I have a few things to update you on from the past 2 weeks so let's get started:

We begin with good ol' Halloween - Originally I wanted to dress up as something Canadian, but my options were either: a moose, an RCMP officer, or a maple leaf.. and I'm sure you will agree that none of these options are flattering.. or easy to pull off.  Anyway, I saw a polka-dotted skirt in the mall one day that was on sale, and one thing led to another:

I was hoping to run into Mickey Mouse at some point in the evening.. but it never happened :(

Moving on - History Lesson: Guy Fawkes was some guy who tried to blow up the King and the Parliament  in 1605, but failed - yay!  Since then, November 5th has been known as Bonfire night:

Remember, remember the 5th of November

The Gunpowder Treason and plot;

I know of no reason why Gunpowder Treason

Should ever be forgot.

Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes 'twas his intent

To blow up the King and the Parliament.

...

And so, once a year, children make a stuffed dummy, refered to as 'The Guy', and he is placed on top of a bonfire pile and burned... morbid much?  It's then followed by an impressive fireworks display:

"oooh.. ahhhhh!"

It was a little weird.. but it made for a nice night. (^ Note the Olympic mitts being proudly worn by my English friend who went on an exchange to Canada last year!) 

And lastly I bring you to St. Andrew's - a beautiful town on the coast that has definitely made it on the list of my favourite places.  

 

As soon as we got off the bus, we made a B-line for the beach.  Why hello, North Sea!

Surfing in Scotland... why not?

Wandering around the ruins of the Cathedral and the beautiful castle by the water.  

 University of St Andrews - oldest one in Scotland.

So to recap: beaches, castle and cathedral ruins, cute downtown area, old university - what more could you ask for in a little town? Such a lovely place :)

I hope you are all keeping warm back home.  Less than 2 months until I join you again. 

Talk to you again soon, cheers!