A Dose of Local "Flavour"

No, I have not as yet fallen off the wagon...not yet.  The 2011 Art Journal is still developing, and it's actually been really nice to get back into the habit.  I'm waiting on a chance to pick up a necessary art supply before I reveal my next spread, so in the meantime, let me share a recent Scottish experience.

Burns Night!

What you see here is the teensy bit of Haggis that I left on my plate.  Please believe me when I say that this plate was heaped, positively heaped with Haggis, Neeps, and Tatties before I dug in.  For those of you unfamiliar with Haggis, Neeps and Tatties, here's a loose translation.  Haggis is similar to the hot dog in that, you really don't want to know what it is exactly or how it's made, Neeps are mashed turnips, and Tatties are potatoes.

Every year around January 26th, it's tradition to eat this meal to celebrate Robert Burns, Scottish Poet extraordinaire (Google it if you don't believe me).  Our Burn's Night also consisted of drinking some Irn Bru, the real Scottish man's drink of choice (not a fan), and watching the Piping In of the Haggis.  A bagpiper, in all the traditional garb, marches into the hall, followed closely by the cook holding up a plate of the stuff.  I was really struggling at this point not to appear irreverent.  They make it look so easy.