Military Tattoo- an experience worth the rain and money!

The 2007 Edinburgh Military Tattoo was simply amazing despite the light rain through out- a typically scottish expereince in a typically scottish weather. Never seen so many people in the city all at once. Despite the wet cold weather, the festival atmosphere was everywhere. Everyone seemed to be wearing those hideous one-size-fits-all ponchos with the scottish flag or the thistle flower printed on them. On the walk up to the castle, I was soon one of them, donning a yellow plastic rain poncho with scotland written all over it! We reached the castle just in time and the minute we settled in on our wet seats, the first performance started with a bang. It was the scottish military drill and band performances...imagine the sounds of a hundred bagpipes in the background of the castle at nighttime! That was followed by the taiwanese senior high school, all girls band which was quite amazing. Then there was the most amazing bike stunts I've ever seen in me life and we're talking 8 yr olds to 17 yr olds here! They ROCKed. Next up was the american and russian military band followed by the worlds only military steel drum band from trinidad and tobago! Fun fun. There was lot of fun stuff in between and as a finale ( my fav part), there was a lone scottish bagpiper playing on top of the castle with brilliant fireworks ... even when I think of it now I get goosebumps coz it was just so powerful and moving. One wierd thing was that on the eve of the 60th annivesary of my country's independence from the British, I had to stand for the English National Anthem at the end of the show! But it was all good. All in all, Im glad I didnt miss this. The entire experience was breathtaking. Its a little after midnight now, just got back home. And after a cup of extra strong expresso...im ready to stay up all night working on my dissertation. Will try and post some pics if they've come out nice. I still cant figure out alot of functions in my camera! :(