Headed out to the city of Dunfermline (pronounced dun-FER-lynn) in Fife yesterday for a trip organized by the International Students' Club (ISC). Arose at 7am not-too-fresh and not-too-awake and was greeted by swirls of snowflakes outside my window. This did not cheer me up that much, for reasons mentioned in previous posts.
However by the time we got onboard the train in Waverly Station, most of the snow had let up for which I was immensely encouraged by. This optimism was maintained, until I realized that my gloves and socks were damp and my digits consequently became ice cubes for most of the morning.
But that aside! I was rather excited about Dunfermline, having learnt that it was once the ancient capital of Scotland. I had contemplated taking a trip there myself, so I was quite glad to hear that the ISC was organizing its own outing there. And I dare say they gave a pretty good deal as well - 6 pounds which included an open return train ticket (original price 10pounds), and free admission to the Dunfermline abbey and palace. You can't do better than that!
So it was on a cold Saturday morning that we discovered the Dunfermline abbey on the top of a gentle hill. The abbey is a fairly impressive structure dating back to 1128. It also has the distinction of surviving the Reformation. Digressing for a while, I have realized that 'surviving' religious persecution accords old churches in Scotland a certain special status, at least in tourist brochures. I suppose everyone likes a survivor enough for it to be an easy marketing tagline. Yet I have to say it's usually a tagline which ignores how so many of these churches underwent massive renovation after the 16th century. But that's tourism for you I guess; the art of showing but never (fully) telling.
There is a somewhat poetic contrast between the robust-looking Abbey (which is still a functioning church!) and the adjacent palace which rests in crumbling ruins. Yet enough of it still remains to whisper a suggestion of romantic old wordliness.
It was fun exploring the ruins; climbing precariously down the spiralled (and VERY claustrophic) staircase, weaving in and out what used to be the royal apartments, and peering through the arched windows to catch a glimpse of Dunfermline today. Sadly I was beaten back into the warm interior of the souvenier shop rather quickly because of the biting cold. Nevertheless despite the elements, I quite enjoyed roaming around the Abbey and palace grounds.
The rest of the day however was generally quite uneventful. Dunfermline is a small town, and there generally wasn't much else to do or see after the Abbey. We made a short tour of the town, stopping at various places including the Carnegie hall and museum; both however were sadly closed. Rounded back to Abbot's house, which contains a delighful pink facade and offered us a different perspective of the Abbey from its gardens. It also happened to house a magnificent peacock which enthralled some within our group.
Do you see a bunch of enthusiastic photographers trying to get a shot of the elusive peacock?
I was more interested in capturing this sundial and the surrounding bushes!
All in all, I'm glad I went to Dunfermline for 6 pounds. But I don't think I'll be back anytime soon! Not terribly exciting.
Meantime, my plans for the weeks leading up to Spring-break have been firming up! Though sadly I can't say the same for summer break because they still haven't released the damn examination dates! Argh! Most annoying. Makes it really hard to plan. But in any case!
28th Feb: Saint Andrews, tentatively to meet Kait!
6th - 8th OR 13th - 15th March: Road trip up to Inverness with group of 7 or 8 friends
23th - 24th March: Dublin with Felyna!!!!!!
28th March - 4th April: Parts of England depending on where my family wants to go but definitely LONDON LONDON LONDON!!
5th April - 9th April: Brussels, Belgium!
10th April - 12th April: Dates are tentative, but destination will most certainly be PARIS!
13th April - 18th April: South of France whoooooooo...
Some indefinite time after my exams: Greece with Stephanie?? Very tentative and iffy.
Am hoping to slot in more short holidays once I have my examination schedule. I still am very keen on visiting parts of the Scottish highlands, Spain and Portugal, it's just a matter of when.
Well I'll let you all know soon. But until then, hasta luego, amigos!
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