Edinburgh, Scotland: 2/26/13

Breakfast

Much to my chagrin my hostel did NOT provide a complimentary breakfast like many of them do. But I was not to be deterred. But, like, fine, okay, twist my arm -- I'll take myself out to a cute cafe and get breakfast and a cup of tea to start my day of exploring.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again...life can be so hard sometimes.

I was so happy I decided to check my email before I left that morning because my sister Katie sent me the sweetest email of things I should try and do during my short stint in Edinburgh. One of them being trying haggis (Check!) and another on the list of activities she gave me was to be sure to stop into the Elephant House Cafe.

Why this cafe you ask?

Well, it is this cafe where J.K. Rowling first started to write the Harry Potter series.

She has been quoted before saying: "The idea just kind of fell into my head one day."

Anywhere where that sort of idea can just fall into someone's head is definitely somewhere where I want, no, need to go to.

And so I did!

Ahhh, another luxury of traveling solo...

I'm telling ya, being on your own time, being your own boss, doing your own thing is something everyone should do here and there. It's important to remind yourself that you're the master of your own destiny every once and a while.

What were we talking about again?

Ah yes, the Elephant House. 

Look at how cute it is! And believe it or not, the inside was even more charming. 

Tea and this morning's paper...I truly have turned into and 75 year old man. 

Okay, so not exactly what I was expecting when I ordered a "breakfast roll" at this place, but I gotta tell ya, this strange looking sandwich was actually really, really good!

It's funny because when I approached the cashier to place my order, I started to get anxious, like I usually do at a French establishments because I always want to order eloquently and in the best French possible.

And then I realized these kind people spoke my native tongue! 

Thank God.

My shoulders noticeably loosened as I approached the cashier and spoke with the kind Scottish lad behind the counter.

There were two things I really loved about every Scottish person I encountered on my trip -- Everyone was so incredibly kind and welcoming, and their accents? Seriously to die for.

What I love about the Scottish accent is that along with being lovely to listen to, I feel like it is also a great representation of the Scottish people as as well. It has such tender and kind inflections on certain words, while also a hint of ferocity that shan't be provoked unless the challenger is really willing to face the consequences it may provoke. 

You don't mess with the Scots.

And I like that about 'em. 

So after a yummy pot of English Breakfast Tea (my personal favorite), a full belly, and a splash of current events at the University of Edinburgh. I was ready for my day of sight seeing. And it was only 9:30 am!

(P.S. it is worth nothing in the article that I was reading about student drinking habits, that the Scots define binge drinking as 8 or more units consumed by both males and females in one night. To put that into perspective, the U.S. considers 4 or more drinks in one day for a female, or 5 or more drinks in a night for a male binge drinking. The Scots know how to handle their booze.

And I like that about 'em.) 

Palace of Holyroodhouse

This potentially was one of my favorite sites that I saw in all of Edinburgh.

I also think now is a good time to note the correct pronunciation of Edinburgh. 

Okay, maybe in my first post about Edinburgh would have been a more appropriate place to teach this little lesson. But this is my blog and I can bloody well do as I please.

Click here to listen for a correct pronunciation of one of my favorite cities of all time.

You'll need to know how to say it when you come to visit me when I live in Edinburgh one day.

Plus you don't wanna sound like an ignorant tourist.

That would be the worst. 

But back to the palace!

I loved this place.

Unfortunately they were super strict about taking pictures inside of the palace, and had a "warden" in each room to be there to yield any questions, and also there to be on camera patrol.

Like I said earlier, you don't wanna mess with the Scots.

So after I snapped a bunch of pictures in the courtyard I tucked my camera in my pocket and headed inside.

I love Scottish architecture. 

This castle in particular. 

It's strong, and stoic, with an emphasis on subtlety; and it's majestic and regal without being overly ornate.

(yeah, I'm lookin' at you Versailles)

And You look at these buildings -- these fortresses-- and they just command and garner such respect, one can't help but be in awe of it all. 

What was even more wonderful about my experience at the Holyroodhouse was that I was the only one touring that morning.

I'm not kidding you when I say I basically had my very own private tour of the castle.

The early bird gets the worm I tell ya!

It seriously made this experience so worth it and so worth every penny for the admission fee. I so do wish that I could have taken pictures to remember it by, but at the same time not being able to take pictures really made me work hard to take mental snapshots of my favorite parts, which I will cherish forever. 

Scottish Parliament 

Honestly, this place was a total snooze fest.

But it was cool to go inside and look around a bit.

Plus it was free to get in.

And free is always, and will always, be my favorite price.

The Scotch Whisky Experience

Now this place was cool.

It started off as an amusement part like ride. I'm not talking Space Mountain here people, more like the Lazy River...but with no water...and you're strapped into this pod shaped vehicle.

Here I'll just show you...

See? They actually strapped me in. I'm still not exactly sure why...It wasn't like we were flying Mach 3 through this tour or anything.

Barrels. They had has riding in hollowed-out, larger than life barrels. It was a nice touch. 

These are the different regions of Scotland that make different kinds of Scotch. And this little card was actually a scratch-and-sniff, that depicted the aromas of each Scotch.

My favorite, as I mentioned before was Highland Scotch. 

Oh would you just look at that! An entire list of Scotch made from the Highlands! I'll be damned. How did that get there? What a great gift idea that is. I wonder if I know anyone turning 21 soon who loves Highland Scotch Whisky...hmmm, I'll have to rack my brain a little more on that one...

And here I am, in all my glory, in the largest whiskey collection in the whole world tasting a lovely Highland Single Malt.

Life can be so hard sometimes.

And learning about Scotch had me work up quite the appetite!

Maxie's and the Castle

So I grabbed a bite to eat at this place called Maxie's. It was fairly priced and had a cool atmosphere, so I said, "Sure! I'll eat lunch here."

Here I am eating lunch with all my friends!!! 

Say "hi" everyone, don't be shy!

Okay, so not exactly typical Scottish fare, but it was hot and spicy and totally hit the spot that afternoon. 

I then made my way over to the Edinburgh Castle to tour this mighty fortress, and take a look at some incredible views on this lovely Scottish afternoon. 

Okay, so this was really cool. I snuck a picture of the names of a couple Moffats/Moffetts that perished serving the Royal Scottish military. Very, Very cool. 

After this tour, I went to the National Museum of Scotland, where I basically just spent most of my time looking and learning at all these animals. 

I often wonder if I had the choice to do it over again, whether or not I would chose to be a Veterinarian.

I woulda been a great Vet...

This lone wolf and I? We just get each other, man. We speak the same language. 

Wanting to enjoy the final, fleeting, daylight hours in my last night in Edinburgh, I decided to continue walking and explore new corners of the city. And when I turned the corner at this moment, again, like many times before in the past few days, my breath was simply taken away by this site. I couldn't help but stand here a few moments longer and soak in all of it's glory and history.

But alas, I can only do so much staring and admiring before my stomach brings me back to reality, as it so often does.

I opened my wallet, and after a few moths flew out I decided a cheap option was probably the best for tonight.

I was exhausted, and by dogs were barkin'.

You've heard that expression, right? Like, as in your feet hurt? I say it all the time, and the other day someone asked me what it meant and I felt a feeling of horror flow through me as I panicked thinking I had been misusing the phrase my whole life. But a quick search on Google calmed my nerves and made me realize I'd been using this idiom correctly.

Thank God. Ain't nothin' worse than a misused idiom.

Okay, well, maybe a few things.

Like pronouncing Edinburgh wrong...

ANYWAY

I stopped at this cafe and ordered this fabulous meat calzone on the cheap, and I proudly carried it back to my hostel, snapped this picture as I was mid-way through devouring it, and then promptly flopped into bed in preparation for my early morning departure to Dublin the next day.

And if I didn't give the most lucid description of my impression of the Scots in this past post, then this sign I found in Scotland most definitely will: