Spring Break Part IV: These Pounds are Killing Me

Oh Scotland.

Scotland, Scotland, Scotland.  Where do I begin.  Well I guess I have to begin in Galway, because that is where I got the message from the other girls I was going to Edinburgh with that they canceled the hostel that was reserved on my card because they just didn't feel safe there.  Background story: Bernadette Raspante, yes, that is right, my SISTER, stayed at this hostel and recommended it to us.  Of course, it's her secret evil plan to send me into a danger zone purposely and have scary Scotland natives rob us of our belongings and safety.  But, you know, I guess they aren't use to having a sister like that, so they booked us a different hostel.  For double the price. Well, I get my stubbornness from both sides of the family, and to everyone who I explained this situation to assured me I was not being unreasonable to be a bit upset.  So, in the end I did Edinburgh by myself, in my own cheap, safe hostel.  (Joke's on them too, 'cause I did go to their hostel one night, and mine had triple the security, cleaner, and better location).  So, family reading this, I know that you are probably thinking me, by myself, in a foreign city is a disaster waiting to happen.  However, Edinburgh turned out to be one of my favorite places I've ever been.   I met so many great people, and learned so much about myself.  But I'm getting ahead of myself...

My Hostel.  Looks pretty great, right?

Thursday
Edinburgh, Scotland

Thursday morning I woke up (still alive and all my belongings present in my big scary hostel) and had the whole day ahead of me to myself to do WHATEVER I wanted.  I looked at the day in two ways: 1. be a crazy tourist and go from destination to destination, or 2: take my map (yeah, the one I can't read because I'm directionally challenged) and just go, wander and see what I see.  I chose option two.  Of course, I wanted to see all the main sites, and I did, but on my own terms.

My first stop was because of my rumbling stomach.  NERD ALERT: you will hear a lot of Harry Potter references.   Around the corner from my hostel, is a cafe called The Elephant House.   This is the cafe that JK Rowling had the inspiration to write Harry Potter.  She use to sit in the back and stare out the window at the Edinburgh Castle (Hogwarts), and she wrote on napkins making her coffee last as long as she could.  Naturally, a devoted fan like myself needed to eat in the same place, so I bought myself some scrambled eggs (something I've missed so much since being in Italy, especially because breakfast is my favorite meal and the Italians don't see the importance of it), and plopped myself down writing postcards.  A cup of tea in (yeah I drink tea now, strange I know...I use to want to barf at the smell of it) and I decided to go to the bathroom.  You're probably thinking TMI, Laura.  But, the bathrooms were so cool!  The doors were full of people writing in Harry Potter quotes...even a list of Dumbledore's Army (I'm number 147) and one of the toilet seats even had a Harry Potter Cover.  This is the part where I fully support you making fun of me.

The Elephant House.

Yeah, I took pictures of the bathroom.

Anyway, satisfied with my Harry Potter fix and my scrambled eggs, I left The Elephant House and set out for a full day of exploring.  I walked the Royal Mile, which is exquisite.  The architecture in Edinburgh is nothing of what I was expecting. 

I walked to the end of the Royal Mile to the Edinburgh Castle.  I didn't go in, but it was about this time that it started flurrying a little.  The view was pretty, and The Castle was mind boggling.

Walking up to the Edinburgh Castle.

This little cottage is in the Castle's Park.  I think it resembles Hagrid's Hut and the whomping willow.

I went into the St. Gile's Cathedral.  Again, the architecture was just pure astonishing. 

St. Gile's Cathedral

I stumbled across the University's Library, and you had to have a keycard to get in, but someone was walking in before me, so I managed to sneak in.  It was gorgeous.  By far, the prettiest library I've ever seen.  The windows were astonishing.  Sadly, I was unable to take a picture because it would probably draw attention to the fact that I wasn't suppose to be in there.

The Entrance into the University's Library that I snuck into.  Also was able to use the bathroom for free!!!

From far away, I saw another tower.  As I walked to it, I found that it was Calton Hill.  It was absolutely gorgeous.  The tower isn't tall, but it's on the hill.  There are also ruins on the hill. 

Near my hostel was a few cute streets of shops.  I found this vintage store, that I wanted to buy about fifty dresses from, but settled for none.  The store was basically the wardrobe I dream of.

Street in Edinburgh

I walked in and out of some of the tourist shops, then headed to Princes Street.  Princes Street is comparable to State Street in Chicago.  At this point the hail hurt as the wind blew it into your face, so I took the opportunity to look in all the shops.  Something I've come to notice is that every major city (if you don't look around you at the architecture, don't listen to the language, and just walk and down the main street of shops, you'll never know where you are.  Edinburgh had it all... H&M, Urban Outfitters, multiple European Department Stores, etc)

I stumbled upon a free art museum, and spent about two hours marveling at the wonderful works.  I was lucky enough to see da Vinci, Raphael, and so many other famous painters. I especially enjoyed the Scottish exhibit and the works of James Grahm.  

Along Princess Street are these beautiful Gardens, different than the Castle's Gardens which are also magnificent.  There is a huge monument dedicated to James Scott.  He was a famous writer.  Literally, this monument is ginormous.

Keep in mind, that five minutes prior to me taking this picture it was hailing.  Maybe I'll get a monument like this after I pick thousands of potatoes.  who knows, it could happen.

Friday
Still in Edinburgh, Scotland

Friday Morning my plan was to take a free walking tour of Edinburgh that my hostel offered.  But, at the start I found that I had already been to all the places, and decided I would go explore on my own some more.  So I began my day at the Greyfriar's Kirkyard...with the dead.

Now, ironically, one of my greatest fears is dead people.  I know, how is someone who has been to countless wakes and funerals (big families) afraid of dead people?  I cannot answer that, I just know that I am.  Even seeing the fake corpses on all my favorite crime shows makes me cringe.  Anyway, the cemetary was actually really neat, probably because I went during the day with ample sunlight.  The grave stones were all so old.  I took many pictures, which looking back seems odd, but some of them struck me in odd ways.

For example, Bobby.  The Friar's faithful dog.  (This dog has statues and pubs dedicated to him throughout the city).  The dog's tombstone is bigger than the Friar's.

You cannot really tell that Bobby's is bigger because I took the pictures at different distances, but you can sort of make out where it says devoted owner of Bobby, or something similar.  I hope I'm not remembered because of my dog.

Again, with the dog...how would you feel if your tombstone just read : the kindness and Affection of a Dear Friend.  Obviously the friend wasn't dear enough for a name or date or anything, but at least the mystery person was kind.

This guy's greatest success is being a friend to a dog?  I wonder what he's thinking about looking down at that. 

This person is the only person in the cemetery that is still loved (besides Bobby).  All the other graves are abandoned.

Another strange fact about the cemetery is that a majority of the people died so young.  And, the thought occurred to me that if I lived 200 years ago, I'd probably already be dead. 


So, after spending enough time with the dead people, I wandered around some of the outskirty neighborhoods, through the University of Edinburgh's grounds, and ended up in their Millennium Park.  It was freezing out, but so worth the walk.  It was so nice to just stroll around, at my own fast pace that everyone complains about, and take in the city.

Even though it was snowing, the flowers still looked absolutely beautiful in the park.

I stumbled across 2 churches.  One was Catholic and the other was Evangelical.  And Guess what?? Another major perk about Edinburgh is that they don't make you pay to go in!  St. Patrick's was the Catholic one and it was gorgeous. 

The outside of St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church in Edinburgh.

I went into St. Michael's because I really liked the outside.  When I first entered there was a group of about 8 middle aged adults chatting around tea and biscuits.  I didn't want to bother them, so I turned to leave, but a guy jumped up (the organist as I later found out) and asked if I needed anything.  I told him I was just looking, and he gave me a tour of the church, explaining the interior and exterior architecture and design..even gave me a pamphlet on it.  Then invited me to join them for tea and biscuits.  I didn't join them, but the hospitality was just really surprising and welcoming. 

After that I was stopped by this younger guy, probably late twenties, on the North Bridge.  He asked me what I had already done here.  I guess he could tell I was a tourist, but that's beside the point.  I told him the basics, and he told me I needed to climb the Salisbury Caves  and Arthur's Seat.  You start on on the caves, but they connect to Arthur's seat.  I'm not one to turn down a hike, especially when promised the best view of Edinburgh, so I promptly set out for my adventure.

Some history about Arthur's Seat:  Arthur's Seat is one of the places that is believed to be a possible location for Camelot and the Knights of the Round Table.  Also, it is the collapsed remains of a volcano that last erupted 335 million years ago.  It's not exactly the highest climb, but at some points...especially near the top...you have to use your hands also, and with the snowy rain, it was very slippery.    When I got back, I researched some more information about Arthur's seat.  I found out that their is tales of witchcraft linked to the mountain.  Also, it is not the safest hike, so many people have fallen off the cliffs (Don't freak out, Mom, I'm alive to tell the tales).  Most people don't die when they fall, and it's almost 1000feet from the ground.   4 people have been recorded who have tried to jump to end their lives, and not all were successful.

2 quick notes: 1.  climbing in a tighter fitting pair of jeans and converse=not the best idea...but when dressing that morning, climbing an ancient volcano wasn't in my plans.  2.  Climbing in really windy snow on a cold day, also not one of my smartest decisions, but so worth it!

The first part of the way I up I met a girl from Argentina.  She was 22 and just traveling for awhile.  We talked for half the way up, before she didn't feel  like climbing anymore.  I love how I'm just meeting random people from all over the world.  Sure, I'll probably never see most of them again, but culturally the conversations are so interesting!

I started to get a little nervous as I was climbing by myself.  The wind was really strong, and I'm not the easiest person to blow over, but there were times when I felt like it could push me down.  I'm afraid of heights (some of you know that I wanted to be a roofer, but sadly this fear dampened those dreams).  The previous night I met a man who is 100 percent convinced the world is ending in 2012, and he told me that I should live 2011 with no regrets, so I kept climbing.  I'm so glad I did, because I felt amazing at the top.  I sat for awhile, just content with myself, and being awestruck by the views.  Pictures don't do it any justice, but I'll put some up you can get an idea.

Let's keep in mind how bundled up I was, as it was freezing.   This isn't from the tippy top, but it was where I ran into another person.

This is how steep parts were, without paths, that I climbed up.

This is part of what is left of St. Anthony's Chaple

The climb down was much more anxiety inducing than the way up.  It was so slippery and steep, but I made it down, obviously.  On my way down in the Salisbury Caves I came across some ancient ruins of what use to be St. Anthony's Chapel.

At the very bottom, there was a pond full of swans that was absolutely beautiful.  If you've ever seen the movie, The Notebook, it was sort of like when Noah and Allie are in the boat on the water. 

I met up that night for dinner with the girls that changed all the plans.  It was a little awkward, but they're the ones that changed the plans, so I have nothing to feel bad about. After dinner I realized that Scotland was the best experience I could have had.  Some of my accomplishments may seem trivial, but to me they were empowering.  I forced myself to meet so many new people: Aussies, Finnish girls, Argentinians, and French girls.  I learned so much from each of them about their culture and their travels.  I navigated myself around, never getting lost.  Well, I might have been lost, but I never had a plan of where I was going so I'll never really know.  This weekend was about me, and I realized that I'm perfectly fine on my own, and doing what I want and standing up for what I think is right is what will make me happy.  I had an absolute blast, even if it didn't go as planned.


Tid Bits

1.  As you're all aware (and if not, I worry that you've been quite late getting places this week) you had Daylight Savings Time on Sunday.  Italy doesn't change the clocks for another 2 weeks.  Wouldn't it be easier for, I don't know...the WHOLE WORLD, if everyone changed their clocks at the same time?

2.  Dad, I almost bought egg dishes in each place.  I didn't.  I think I have enough now.  

3.  All the Christian, but not Catholic, churches in Scotland and Ireland had little play areas in back for the kids.  Fully equipped with toys, crayons, and comfy rugs.

4.  As my friend said, the pounds we were dropping were not the ones we wanted.  Scotland's currency is the pound and the exchange rate was awful.