I'm not sure how I decided on Aberdeen, but a weekend away is always nice. We took a train from Leuchars, and the train ride was absolutely beautiful. Some highlights:

The River Tay

Snow-covered mountains near Aberdeen

We arrived in Aberdeen, and it looked a little like an industrial city, which I suppose it is. We couldn't check into our hotel for a few hours, so we thought we'd look around. We found a cathedral:

Church of Scotland, Greyfriars John Knox Parish

and something that resembled a castle:

The Castlegate

and lots of shopping. But we headed to our hotel, the Hotel Britannia
and walked through the city to get there. Luckily, I had written down directions to it, but unluckily, failed to realize that it is 6 miles outside the city center. So, Dave and I hiked the 6 miles with our backpacks, finally collapsing in the hotel after a hearty meal of fish and chips for him (a Scottish staple) and vegetarian bangers and mash (sausage and mashed potatoes) for me.

In the morning we took the bus back to the city center and walked down to the beach area, which I'm sure is a lot of fun in the summer, but on a cold and cloudy day in March, the only good thing it offers is some hot chocolate. I thought this photo op was ironic:

"Sunset Boulevard" on the Aberdeen Fun Beach

Dave and I walked along the beach for a while before hitting up the science center; always a fun event for everyone. That Saturday it was especially fun for every five-year-old in the area, and the quite random 21 and 25-year old Americans looking for a place to get warm. So, we enjoyed the Satrosphere until it became overwhelming and awkward, and headed back into town for more shopping and some lunch.

We ate lunch in a mall and got a quick dinner at Marks & Spencer before heading back to our hotel, where we crashed for the night after enjoying some American TV: the Simpsons, followed by Stargate Atlantis.

There was one thing in Aberdeen that I hadn't gotten a taste of in St. Andrews. First of all, St. Andrews, the University, is 20% international, 10% of which are American. So, we don't get a lot of Scottish fashion, which tends to be very dark and alternative, at least for the younger set. All the girls look a bit like Avril Lavigne. You won't find anyone wearing pink in Scotland. Maybe it's a reflection of the March weather?

Anyways, it's always nice to get away, but sometimes, it's nice to get away just so you can come back.