Will, What The Heck Is Black Pudding?

The Full Scottish Breakfast

I’m On Top Again

 

 

This is my room at Globetrotter Inn. The hostel was pretty nice, but it was so far away from the City Centre. It was on the water through, so that made up for the distance. Here our some shots from outside and my room.

    

   

From my room window.

The Scott Monument

Still In Edinburgh

This is my 4th day in Edinburgh, Scotland and I must say its very nice. Currently I’m in a rock bar called The Black Rose Tavern. I’m here for the FREE WI-FI and the food. Anyway, I just left the National Gallery Of Mordern Art. It was really nice. Its actually just down the street from my hostel. And the Dean Gallery is right across the street from the museum. I’ll do that tomorrow. I’m going to try and get to Edinburgh Castle today or tomorrow. I definitely will go before I leave.

On Friday, I saw the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Mary, Queen of Scots used to reside there. It was at the end of the Royal Mile. I didn’t go in. I’m saving that visit for the big one.

Yesterday, I went to the National Museum of Scotland. The paintings were beautiful. They don’t allow picture taking. Sorry guys! I did they some pictures outside of my hostel, Holyroodhouse, and on the streets. The one of the guys playing music was great. You have 2 drummers and a bagpipe player jamming. It was AWESOME. Yes, I said AWESOME.

People have been really kind here in Edinburgh. I think more friendly here then in London. When I have looked lost, people have just come up to me and offered help. Thats cool.

I’m In Edinburgh

Yep, I arrived this morning at 8:25am. The bus ride wasn’t that bad. It was actually better then the flight to Heathrow. Isn’t that funny. This gentlemen was very kind to me and helped with my directions. I also talked with this young woman about being black in Scotland. It was very interesting. I’ve only seen alittle bit of the city. I’ll do some sightseeing in  about 2 hrs. The hostel that I’m at is right on the water, so I want to walk along the beach first. It’s really beautiful. I took some pictures from my room. I’m on the 2nd floor and of course I have the TOP BUNK. What is it with these bunk beds?

Anyway, from what I saw of the city, it’s beautiful. I’m looking forward to exploring. I’ll try to go to 2 museums and the castle tomorrow. I’m only in this hostel for 2 nights. It’s called Globetrotters Inn. It’s outside the city. My other hostel is in the city. I’ll check in there on Saturday.

Well, I wanted to let yall know that I arrived safetly. I don’t know how long I will be here. I want to be back in London by Thursday. I have to get my hair done on Friday.

Living Like A Local

Jared took me to Greenwich on Sunday. We first ate breakfast and I had the Full English. That is eggs, bacon, sausage, beans (like pork and beans w/o pork) and toast. It’s a huge plate of food and of course Jared helped me with it. The guy can eat forever. Anyway, we did alittle shopping at Greenwich Market. It was really nice. All the wares were like high end. I should have taken pictures.

After Greenwich Market, we went to Greenwich Park. It was beautiful and I have pictures and video. The park is huge and it houses the Observatory and Greenwich Gardens. We did both and we also saw some deers. All in all, it was a great day. I lived like a local and it was cool. The pictures and video we be up shortly.

English Food

  Fish & Chips with Mushy Peas

  Gammon & Chips with Peas

Some Lingo

The other day I was eating some chocolate chip cookies in Jared’s room and he asked for a biscuit. I was like; “That’s not a biscuit. Its a cookie.” So I gave him one. Two minutes later, I realized what he meant. A biscuit means a cookie. I didn’t know. So here is some lingo.

Cookie = Biscuit

Potato Chips = Crisps

French Fries = Chips

Apartment = Flat

Pharmacist = Chemist

The Museum In Docklands

On Wednesday, I traveled to West India Quay to go to the Museum In Docklands. I wanted to check out the exhibition entitled: London, Sugar and Slavery. It was a really nice exhibitiion showcasing slavery through a different continent. It was really interesting seeing how the UK also profitted from it. The first thing I saw when I entered London, Sugar and Slavery Exhibition was some chains with a neck cuff. They weren’t heavy but they had to be uncomfortable as hell. Can you just imagine walking with chains around your neck and it’s not because you’re a criminal?

Worn by Sam Sharpe

I also saw a picture of Sarah Forbes Bonnato, who I had read about last year. She was an African princess whose family had been slaughtered in some tribal war. She too would have been killed had she not been rescued by a Captain Frederick Forbes from England. She was only 8 years old. Just a baby. She was identified as a princess by the tribal markings on her face. Queen Victoria (of England) felt a kinship with Sarah and she became her god-mother. Though she visited the queen often, she became the adopted daughter of Captain Forbes and his wife.

  Sarah ForbesBonnato

There was alot of other things I saw. From weapons of punishment to bill of sale books. Here are the pictures.

       

     

 

   

  Anti-Apprenticeship Banner, about 1833

 

    List of negros and stocks, Thomas Mills Plantation, St Kitts, 1750 & 1752

 Punishment Collar, about 1880 and Whip, about 1800

   Dido Elizabeth Belle (1763-1804)

Dido was the daughter of a naval officier and an ensalved African woman. She was raised by her great uncle, the Earl of Mansfield at Kenswood House, Hampstead, along with her cousin Elizabeth (right). Dido, however, was never treated as a equal member of the family.