Tom and Megan's Ultimate Adventure

I couldn't get off that easily with just that last entry I know! The last 3 months have proved to be such a great learning field for Tom and I. And it has also brought us closer. We have so many inside jokes and memories that we will share forever.
We have been to 11 countries (cut Croatia out at the last minute to give us more time to move to Chicago, and we hit Belize next week for Tom's orientation), experienced 9 different languages, seen every major religion in the world, felt weather from 40 degrees to 110 degrees, climbed mountains, snorkeled the crystal blue waters, accosted my food palate with some crazy new dishes, gotten over my fear of public restrooms (since I have seen waaaayyy worse now!), seen every combination of passenger/driver vs. which side of the road you drive on, and managed to only have ONE major travel mishap! I am still in over-stimulation mode but I realize how lucky we are for many of the things in our country and daily lives that we take for granted. Our information technology far surpasses almost any other well developed nation. We are so blessed to have the ability to have clean tap water, power, cable, reliable waste management, recycling, a dryer, warm water, a government that actually does stuff (I know that could be refuted by some at the moment), the right to marry who you want to, bank accounts, the American "dream" where you if you work hard and educate yourself you can move through class systems, construction that can happen in less than 10 years, public transportation, the list could go on and on. At the same time, we have much to learn from other countries. I am still thoroughly impressed by Europe's energy saving standards, Italy's preservation of monuments, France's cultivation of the arts still, Fijian's smart land leasing system from all family private ownership to the government, Australia's minimum wage and job creation strategies, and Hong Kong's urban development and public transportation systems.
But I think the most important thing I learned this trip is that humanity IS kind. The news highlights so many "bad apples" in society, and with a lack of knowledge or understanding of different cultures sometimes you come in with a different view of what one country or its people might be like. But it doesn't matter where you live, who you worship, or what language you speak...we are all human. We all have the same needs and wants, and most importantly we have the gift to be kind to one another. Even though I was the "different" person on this trip, I have never felt so much love and caring from complete strangers in my life. There really are so many good-hearted individuals and I urge you to be kind to the new family who move to town or the old lady who can't find something in the store or the tourist family who can't figure out how to buy a metro ticket. I have been the receiver of so many kind acts and I intend to keep it going to so many others back here at home!
Thanks for reading!
Love,
Megan

What you may remember from the movie "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" (don't pretend like you haven't seen it!!!) is exactly the postcard-perfect version of Santorini. Its whitewashed buildings perched painstakingly atop the cliffs looking over the royal blue Aegean Sea is breathtaking. Our hotel, Gizis Villas, near Imerovigli was not the most amazing inside complete with the hose shower where you flood the entire bathroom and a 10 minute uphill climb to town, but our balcony view was worth every setback. Santorini, and the village of Imerovigli in particular, is said to have the most beautiful sunsets in the world! And that is basically what our days were built around. Do such and such and then be back in order to have a glass of wine and watch the sun fade beyond the horizon.
Most of our time was spent eating the incredible Greek food of fava beans, Santorini cherry tomatoes, tzatziki, souvlaki, saganaki, olives, greek salad, and fresh fish right out of the ocean (and I actually tried it...insert your amazement now!). Tom and I also went wine tasting one day which was a very interesting excursion. In Santorini, they don't grow their grapes like we do on the vines with the rows and rows of irrigated stakes. The island itself is made from a volcanic eruption so the ground is rocky, desert and they grow their grapes just intermittently among the volcanic rocks grazing the ground. Its not too pretty to look at and more incredible that actually anything can grow at all in those conditions. In turn, the wine is a very acidic, earthy, dry white wine. It takes a bit to get used to but its really quite good. I loved that one of the wineries still stomps the grapes like they have done for centuries. We missed it by one week since they start the harvest at the beginning of August or else we would be helping stomp those grapes! If you ever get to go, SantoriniWineTours.com was who we went with and they were fantastic! t, or Thira as all the locals call it, is also known for its vinsanto dessert wine, which is the "vino" of the "saints" or holy communion wine for orthodox churches.
On another day we went to Oia, and just wandered the narrow passageways being stopped every once in a while for the passing donkeys up the stairs. From the port to the town there are 300 zigzagging stairs to climb, so the donkeys really help matters still. On one of the last days, we took a sunset catamaran sail which was so beautiful. Along the sail, we stopped at the Hot Springs near the still active volcano in the bay and Red Beach, which looks as it sounds with the red clay rocks. There is also White Beach, with white limestone pebbles, and the rest of the beaches are black sand. Santorini is not a place you really go to for the beaches, but the view on the other side of the cliffs is incredible. Our last day, we rented a car, well...a Smart Car really. Tom said it is basically like driving a golf cart haha! I was impressed though how spacious it felt though. Driving the island was a little knuckle-gripping for me because the "roads" are basically just one lane roads here and you pass huge busses while winding in and out of the mountains. It was nice to see all the smaller villages, and we learned after seeing like 90 churches on an island of only about 14,000 people that you can build your home tax free if you build a church first. And yes, the Greeks are as tax-evading as you might think. Everyone shuddered when we pulled out a credit card. They like cash...I wonder why. But otherwise, the Greeks were some of the nicest people we have met on our trip. Everyone is quite happy and very talkative.
So yes, the food, the sunset, the wine, the people...all were incredible. But our luck getting to and from Santorini was anything but idyllic. On our way to Santorini, we flew from Paris to Athens landing at 2:15 am only to turn around at 5:30 am to Santorini. But we arrived at the hotel, and they had no rooms for us yet, so we slept on the pool loungers that morning! Not too bad! Our flight to Rome though was quite an experience. Let me just start by saying I would not reccommend flying on Italy's discount carrier- Blue Panorama Express. Our 3 pm departure time was unbeknownst changed to 9:45 pm. Good thing we decided to check the website before leaving! Then we arrived about 8 pm for check-in at Santorini's "airport" which is basically two desks, a "security" beltway, and two doors leading out to the balcony overlooking a runway. At check-in they informed us our flight was delayed until 3:30 am! They gave us a voucher for dinner at the cafe across the street, which was served in styrofoam and not too delicious. Then all the Italians were jumping up and running back to the terminal. They gave us our bags back and put us on busses to a few different hotels- which took hours to coordinate hence once we got to the hotel, we only slept about 2.5 to 3 hours. Then a bus picked us back up at 4 am for the 5:30 am flight now which once we got the airport was pushed back once again to 6:30 am- all the while, we are the only ones who do not speak Italian so we had no idea what was going on for the majority of this experience. FInally at about 7 am we boarded the airplane, which is free for all seating and I nearly got trampled by the others. I have also learned not to get in the way of an Italian with a temper...I simply just advise it.
Now we will spend about 24 hours in Rome before our flight back to the US!!! I can't believe how time has just flown by this summer. I feel so blessed to have had this experience and see the world. It has taught me so much and made me appreciate what I have that much more.
I also want to take a moment to bless the families of the fallen soldiers killed this week in Afghanistan. What those young men and women have done is extraordinary, and I pray for their souls and their families who have lost a smiling, laughing brother, cousin, father, uncle, or mother this month. Their lives will never be the same.

I feel like an art afficianado after our time in Paris. We hit the Louvre, Musee d'Orsay, and my favorite Rodin Sculpture Garden. We took pictures with the famous "The Thinker" amid blooming, fragrant roses in a picturesque garden. His work is magnificent and very modern for his time. Both he and Monet were great friends and they changed the world of art and how people saw it forever. Realistic portraiture became a thing of the past, and impressionistic interpretation became king. Another favorite was getting to see Degas' work of the famous ballerinas at the Musee d'Orsay- took me back to my days in pointe class twirling around!
But the art in museums wasn't the only beauty. The architecture in Paris was incredible as well. Notre Dame was so harrowing with its Gothic, mighty facade. The inside has an incredible 30 meter nave, the tallest in the world, said to be made to be closer to God. And the intricacy of the stained-glass windows is awe inspiring. Another intricate wonder and my personal favorite of the our stay in Paris was the Eiffel Tower. Most Parisians despise it because they think it litters their skyline, though some may just hate how many tourists it brings. And it is super touristy, but man does going up that old-school elevator and standing amid a pyramid of steel looking out over the glittering city below take your breath away! 
We walked a ton in Paris but also used the metro a lot as well. Paris introduced the world to underground public transportation in 1901. That being said, it is very old and is definitely the worst system we have used throughout all the countries we have been to- although Los Angeles might be the worst haha! And walking the city is romantic. We would eat macaroons in the sun on a bench next to the Seine or get lost in the small corridors snaking through Paris. And that allows you to window shop and people watch! In general the French were very pleasant. One kind woman even helped us figure out how to buy a metro ticket. But there were also the peppering of those who wanted nothing to do with us speaking bad, broken French. One guy yelled at us at a flea market next to the Eiffel Tower in which he was the "doorman". I should have known then...what flea market has a doorman? We kindly asked about how long we should expect. He then lost it at us for being stupid Brits who can't learn to speak "$&@-ing" French. I so dearly wanted to yell back something in fluent German and apologize for his lack of understanding but I just walked away. The doorman then asked Tom where his wife went, and he replied...."that means she is annoyed at you". Absolutely priceless moment. And we did learn that the French hate the Brits so that explains a lot. But honestly,he was working almost 10 paces from the Eiffel Tower. Did he really think he would be dealing with only locals?!?!
Enough with him, the food and the shopping clearly made up for that moment. Or maybe it was the metro singer who would serenade your train ride...he was fun! We had excellent wine and I now need to go on a cheese diet after this visit! It is just sooo good here. I also learned I like macaroons and morels from the quaint, red-checked tablecloth restaurant where Obama visited not too long ago. Our favorite restaurant though was a spot near the famous St. Germaine shopping district. It only serves steak frites. There was no language confusion that night, and the steak and fancy fries were incredible smothered in some very savory sauce. 
We now have to leave the champagne, macaroons, glittering Eiffel Tower and the awesome train singer though. But I am smiling ear to ear in excitement about our next stop....Santorini, Greece!

We have seen temples, gilded palaces, and the finest beaches in the world, but I have to say Scotland may well be one of my favorite places we have visited! Besides all the fun we had, I got to see the burial sites of my great great great great grandfather John Gallacher and my 5x great grandfather Feryle Gallacher as we ventured the countryside of Scotland. It is a moment of pride and humility I will never forget to be that close to my distant relatives and the roots of my livelihood today.
We stayed in Edinburgh (pronounced like bur-ah) at the most adorable bed and breakfast called the Southside. It was a home from the 1800s and our innkeeper was so sweet though I should have said something about the ALL purple room- very interesting decor haha. After settling in we met my friend Kristina Joss and her boyfriend Simon at a pub for drinks. She is currently getting her masters at University of Edinburgh (and she is also responsible for introducing Tom and I years ago). We laughed and sampled different brews, some were great others were awful. I also had my first "pie"- a traditional pub fare. After staying out super late, we meandered the next morning to a late brunch with Kristina before venturing to the Edinburgh Jazz Festival with several of her colleagues. It was the first sunny day they had had in quite some while so it was packed. In the biergarten we all debated nature versus nurture, the global economy, Eco-tourism, and various other super-acdemic topics- though I think most of this ws fueled by the vast amounts of Pimm's Punch we consumed (it is almost like Sangria). We then leisurely sat and talked in the Meadows, a large open park. Overall it was an incredibly enjoyable and relaxing day with friends (most of whom had lovely British, Scottish, and other European accents!)
The next day was super touristy. We hit up the Edinburgh Castle first. The highlight was the wedding taking place at the tiny chapel on the castle grounds. We got to see the bride and hear the bagpiper play. Afterwards we went to the Scotch Whisky Experince, where we learned about how they make scotch whisky. We almost died laughing though because you get on this ride type thing to learn about it. It reminded me of Mr. Toads Wild Adventure ride in Disneyworld. But it wasn't child's play- we then got to taste whiskies. Fun for Tom, but I still can't enjoy whisky. It tastes awful!!!! We window shopped a bit down the Royal Mile before meeting up for a lovely good-bye dinner with Kristina and Simon.
Up early the next morning, we rented a car and Tom tested his skills at driving on the wrong side of the road (thank god we got an automatic car or we would have been testing all driving skills in a huge city!) We struggled at first with the grace of roundabouts but Tom soon got the hang of it, and even mastered a DOUBLE roundabout! The landscape was so beautiful with green expanses dotted by old stone fences, sheep, and castle ruins. After a two hour drive through the countryside we arrived in Dumfries. We arrived to St. Marys Church on English Street and found the burial tombstone of my ancestors- John Gallacher, his wife, two sons, and five other relatives. We brushed it down and removed some of the built-up dirt and cobwebs. I felt so honored to stand there. I hope our family in the future continues to take pride and seek us (maybe my great great great great granddaughter will find me one day). We also found the house he once lived at 69 English Street in 1851. With our stomachs grumbling we went to have lunch and a pint at the Globe Inn where famed poet Robert Burns (he wrote Auld Lang Syne) often wrote. There was one mishap, we first went to another pub by the same name first. My parents had recommended the Globe, but I was really taken aback by the putrid smell, nasty floors, peanut shells, and paint stripped walls of the seedy bar we entered. Seems they have been in on the joke and a lot of tourists come there first and just stay since they are thirsty. We ended up finding the right Globe Inn though and had a great cozy lunch. Back to the road we went to Prestwick, home of the founding of the British Open. Atop a hill overlooking the old course next to a tiny chapel is the grave of my 5x great grandfather Feryle and several other relatives. He has an amazing view of the sea and a famous golfing landmark.
I am still so excited to have connected with my roots. It was a once in a lifetime experience!! Now off to PARIS!!!! Could it get any better?!?

So we may have a staff of twenty waiting on us, nor do I have the extensive wardrobe like Kate, or the ability to one day be a figure-head, but Tom and I have walked in their royal footsteps the last few days in London! In addition to taking a walk down recent royal lane, we also got to relive the footsteps of historical royal past- like 11th century past!
After a long flight over the Atlantic, we caught a brief case of jet lag after landing in London. We powered through for a long walk to Kensington Palace which had a very bizarre exhibition about past princesses who have lived there (including Princess Diana), but it was very House on Haunted Hill-esque. It felt more like a Disney ride than anything educational or historical. After that, we took a double-decker bus to Harrod's!! Tom and I fought off the crowds by ducking into their new ice cream parlour. We split an ice cream sundae the size of my head. If I want to be like Kate and squeeze into a wedding dress soon I should probably lay off the ice cream gluton-fests- oh well!! We then dozed off all that jet lag to wake early the next morning to take the most epic walking tour ever. We are staying in a neighborhood called Bayswater which is near Kensington and Notting Hill. From there we took the tube to Buckingham Palace. It is huge!! I got to see close up where Kate and Will had their first kiss on the balcony. But best of all, there were all these throngs of upper-class folks lined up around the gates in their finest fascinators and suits. Who were they and what were they doing here? Well, I spotted a couple with the gentleman in his kilt and his lady in a lovely sharp navy dress with a feathery concoction on her head. I offered to take their picture and in return got all the scoop! They were there for the Queen's Garden party. She has two or three a year and about 10,000 people attend at a time! It is a networking event of the elite with free caviar and wine along with a chance to meet the Queen! I was super jealous, but he gave us some great suggestions about Scotland and I got to rub elbows with an upper-crust Brit about the meet Her Majesty. We then walked along towards Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and Parliament. I could have spent hours in Westminster- it is just incredible. And to think it has been around for this long is insane. I got to view the burial place for Shakespeare, Chaucer, kings, queens, and even Laurence Olivier! The best part was nearing the end of our little audio tour, the boys choir was practicing for the upcoming evening's mass. They are incredible and so darling all dressed up. Afterwards we walked along the Thames only to find a million paparazzi and news trucks outside this building- it was where the council meetings were being held questioning the Murdochs due to the phone hacking scandal at News of the World! There was a police truck that went round the corner into the gate and backed up into the alley, so I thought someone was going to jail, luckily when I saw the papers the next morning, all was fine. After brushing with headline news, we passed the London Eye and then rounded out the day by heading into Picadilly Circus for dinner.
Day three was up early and off to the London Walking Tour of the Tower of London in chilly, rainy weather once again (the extra sundresses I packed were of zero use). The Tower of London was built back in the 11th century and still stands without much restoration today. It was originally built as a palace and one of the greatest fortresses of all time. It has still never been attacked in over 1,000 years. As other kings and queens used it, it began to change little by little. It is best known as a jail and execution center during Henry VIII reign. Two of his wives, Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard were executed here. It is also where the infamous dissappearance of the little princes was- they are said to possibly have been killed by their uncle Richard I and buried under a stair. Excavations in the 60s revealed jawbones of two young children, aged 10 and aged 12- the same age as the princes when they dissapeared. The first toilets were created here as well as the invention of a chimney. Across from the Tower you can see the famous London Tower Bridge. The Tower also holds the royal family's jewels. We got to see them all up close, which is kind of insane considering the Queen's crown has the second largest diamond and her sceptre has the world's largest diamond on it! Its almost gaudy how much bling there is on her crown. A long day of history meant we needed a large pint of beer to wash it all down with at the local pub around the corner.
But my trip back into history with the royals still wasn't through...today we trekked out about 30 min into the countryside to visit Hampton Court Palace. It was built in the 1540's by Cardinal Wolsey and later given to King Henry VIII. The Palace does a really good job of bringing the history to life. They have an exhibit on the royal kitchens, artwork, tours of the State Apartments, and the gardens. Best of all were the actors milling around like pages, jesters, and King Henry himself. It was very cool to see all of my favorite Philippa Gregory novels on Tudor history come to life (yes I am a huge nerd!). Even cooler to walk on the same stones, alleyways, and corridors as past courtiers and royalty. There is something humbling about being where so many have been before.
I think we have hit almost every tourist destination in London, and have met quite a few locals to bring it to real life as well. I have loved it here, and I have loved using some of my British vocabulary that other travelers have taught us from past destinations in Asia: torch means flashlight, rubbish means garbage, telly means TV, they use the word "quite" a ton, and there are so many more I am forgetting right now! Hopefully my mind catches up to me as we head off tomorrow morning for Edinburgh, Scotland!