Edinburgh

Scotland 6: Day 42

/ Dav / Leave a comment

04.09.18 | Edinburgh Flat | 13:29

So far, today has been excellent! I found the coolest little cafe for a snack. I wish I’d discovered this place years ago, I’ve probably walked past it at least a hundred times. I got a fruit tart thingy and some hot chocolate. It still amazing me that people take the time to make the little design on top of the hot drinks. I almost hate to drink it, because I don’t want to destroy their artwork.

I went back to see the street performer do his act again. I recorded the entire thing on Periscope, and so it’s about a 45 minute video. I’m not going to upload the entire thing here, but you can definitely check it out. The guy was pretty funny, but you could tell that he’d practiced the same jokes over and over again. Something about his delivery was off. Still, he’s a great performer! To see my Periscope feed (and follow me!) go to https://www.pscp.tv/DavTravels/follow. I’m going to start doing more live videos over there.

So, I’m not much into buying souvenirs, I’ve always looked at the pictures I take as my souvenirs, so I haven’t had to spend very much money on these trips. I decided a few years back that I love skulls. It’s not to the point of obsession or anything like that, but I just think they’re cool. At home, I’ve got a few ceramic skulls from Mexico, and I decided that I would build that collection. Today I bought a new one. To be honest, I wish it was legal to own a human skull.

19:23

Tonight I had dinner at The Witchery. This is my absolute favorite restaurant in Edinburgh. It’s overpriced, with small portions, but it’s all about the ambience! I don’t often eat at fancy restaurants, but it’s fun to get dressed up and go out. This would be the ultimate restaurant to take a date… I’ll have to do that some day.

First Course: Grilled Isle of Mull Scallop, Cauliflower Purée, Curry Sauce, Apple and Coriander
Second Course: Jambonette of Perthshire Guinea Fowl ‘en croute’, sweet corn, basil, potato purée
Third Course: Pear William tarts tatin, star anise, milk ice cream

It is with great sadness that the Edinburgh part of this journey is ending tomorrow morning. Tonight I’m packing up all my stuff, and getting everything ready so in the morning, all I’ll have to do is shower, grab my stuff, and head to the airport.

Even though I’m not quite ready to come home yet, It’s time to go somewhere that I haven’t been in 11 years…

Scotland 6: Day 41

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04.08.18 | Edinburgh, Scotland | 22:28

I don’t have a whole lot to report today. Was a slow Sunday- I walked a lot, but didn’t really go anywhere in particular. I’ve been listening to General Conference, and have been thoroughly enjoying it. Dinner was at this little Italian restaurant that is actually right underneath my flat. It was probably the most amazing one I’ve ever eaten at in my life. Will definitely be back in the future!

Scotland 6: Day 40

/ Dav / Leave a comment

04.07.18 | Edinburgh Flat | 11:05

As per usual, today was a very rainy day. My hopes of headed back up Arthur’s Seat were soon washed away. I decided to declare today a laundry day. I spent most of the morning and afternoon reading or watching movies because the laundromat that I used to use, that was located close by, is now out of business. The next closest one I could find was a good 20-minute walk.

17:09

My legs were killing me, thanks to my hike up Arthur’s Seat yesterday. I was hurting so bad, but I managed to get a massage today, and I’m surprised they were able to get me in at the last moment, especially on the weekend.

21:06

Tonight I went to dinner at The Doric, which is the oldest Gastro-pub in Edinburgh, built in the 1700’s, according to the back of the menu. So- today I made history by simply eating there.

Scotland 6: Day 39

/ Dav / 1 Comment

04.06.18 | Edinburgh, Scotland | 12:20

This morning, I was finally able to hike up to Arthur’s Seat again. I wanted to do it at the beginning of the trip, but we were in that big snowstorm, if. you recall. Even today, there was a lot of mud because of the snow storm we had two days ago. Still, it was a great climb and the views are always so breathtaking! I imagine I’ll climb it at least once more before I leave Edinburgh.

For years now, I have come across Oink, which is a restaurant that has a large, dead hog in the window. In fact, that’s really the only thing the restaurant services, they carve off this hog all day. you can get it as a sandwich if you wish. I finally got an early lunch at the place! It was quite delicious, even though I’m pretty sure that P.E.T.A. wouldn’t approve of the meal- nor the window “decor”.

Scotland 6: Day 38

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04.05.18 | Edinburgh, Scotland | 09:10

I was a little worried that I wouldn’t get much sleep last night. I’m right on High Street, and Scottish people like to drink and be out all night. They were very loud when I was trying to fall asleep, but I put in earplugs and all is well! I slept like a baby!

I woke up to completely clear skies… it feels like springtime (again)! Maybe I still needed a light jacket, but that’s really all. Speaking of jackets, I had an incident where my zipper broke on the one I brought, and so I ended up going to H&M this morning to get a new one. When I get back to the states, I’ll ask my mom if it’s worth fixing, or if I should put it in the D.I. box.

I managed to get a Periscope video while I was outside, and seeing a street performer. He was a pretty funny guy. In the background, you may be able to hear a bagpiper, and then later in the day there was a preacher on a loudspeaker who kept singing the Christmas song, Go Tell It On The Mountain, over and over again. Good times!

Scotland 6: Day 37

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04.04.18 | Glasgow > Edinburgh | 10:52

After I get off of this plane in Edinburgh, it goes on and eventually goes all the way to Penzance, as in, The Pirates of Penzance! Does anyone remember any part of the “legacy” that I left behind at Eastern Arizona College? I wanna sing and dance, I wanna sing and dance, I wanna be a pirate in the Pirates of Penzance… Is this one of those full-circle moments? I think that perhaps it is.

It’s another rainy morning in Glasgow, but not as rainy as it was the last two days. It’s ok, however, because I’m on my way back to Edinburgh, and I’m sure that means it will be sunny and in the 70s. I kid- I checked the weather and it’s pretty much the same, for a couple of days, at least. Still, I’m excited about this Edinburgh round, because I’m doing the AirB&B thing. I have secured a lovely flat, that is right on High Street, up close to Edinburgh Castle. It should be lovely.

Edinburgh, Scotland | 12:24

I called it- the weather in Edinburgh is exactly the same as it was this morning in Glasgow, but colder. The snow has been coming down since I stepped off the train at Waverly Station. I’ll be hanging out in this Starbucks for the next 2 1/2 hours. I’m happy to keep on purchasing herbal teas or even hot chocolate if this is needed to extend my stay. I’m sharing a table with a young girl who is attending university in Cork, Ireland. She is, however, from Fort Worth, Texas. I showed her where my sister Melanie lives on the map and she says that’s not too far from her home. She knows the area well.

She asked me if I’d ever visited my sister, and when I told her that I had, she asked me if I hate Fort Worth- not how I feel about it, but if I hate it. I told her I had nothing against it, but I’m not that type of person who can sit still very long anyway. If I’m not traveling, there needs to at least be a plan for travel. Even a road trip somewhere works perfectly.

15:19

Ok- this apartment is the absolute best location! It’s very close to everything on the old side of the city. I wish I owned it! The first thing I did when I got here (other than using the restroom) was walked around and took some pictures! This place is truly lovely! It’s an older flat, but location, location, location!

Scotland 6: Day 6

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03.04.18 | Edinburgh, Scotland | 16:27

It is a gloriously Sunday morning in Scotland! I was, once again, up later because of various parties in the vicinity. At least I had a quiet roommate- I can’t complain about that. I also may have lost sleep because the pillows here aren’t very comfortable. I woke up at about 09:30 and got a quick shower before I was off to church. It was a longer distance than I wanted to walk in the snow, so I got an Uber- I arrived right on time.

Google maps told me that the walk back to Old Town would take me about 40 minutes, but I did it in only about 25. Even though it had snowed some more, and I trudged through so much slush, it felt good to be outside. 

I got lunch at a barbecue restaurant called Bubba-Q. This is the ultimate name for a restaurant! I’m just disappointed that they thought of it before I could. The restaurant was an American-West theme, including license plates from all or most of the states.

I ordered some kind of sampler platter, and I had no right doing that. I didn’t realize that this meant there would be about seven dead animals on the plate in front of me. The meat was really delicious, but their sauce wasn’t really smoky at all. It was a lot closer to ketchup than a good barbecue sauce.

I wasn’t able to finish all this meat! Sadly I didn’t have the stomach to enjoy any of the side dishes. Some students were eating at a table nearby, and when they saw the amount of food on my plate, I saw eyes wide and jaws drop. Then when I spoke, and they realized I was from America, one of them said, “Oh, you’re an American”- as if that’s all the explanation they needed. I’m so thankful that I have been chosen to represent an entire nation!

This afternoon is my laundry time. It amazes me that this hostel can house 100+ people, and they only have two washers and two dryers for us to use. I’d gone to a local pay-laundromat in the past, but it’s no longer in existence. So, on this Sabbath afternoon, I will practice my God-given patience and wait for my turn to wash my clothes.

Scotland 6: Day 5

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03.03.18 | Edinburgh, Scotland | 23:12

I didn’t get very much sleep last night. I could hear the music and a very loud party from a nearby pub. I think it’s the Irish pub just around the corner and up Victoria Street. It was Friday night, however, so I don’t blame anyone. I may experience the same thing again tonight. At least tonight, I’ll have my earplugs ready.

Jonny was out the door by about 03:30. I had planned on walking with him to the bus stop, but when I stood up and started to get ready, he told me that I didn’t need to. I tried to explain the directions as best I could and sent him off, hoping he wouldn’t get lost. He texted me a few hours later, just after he landed in Milan, Italy, so I know he made it safe.

Lunch was at Pret A Manger. I believe I’ve mentioned the restaurant before. It’s a soup/ sandwich shop where they make it all fresh daily. They put the food out on a shelf, and you grab whatever you want. They believe in trying to get local produce, and since it’s all made fresh daily, I’ve heard they even give the leftovers to food kitchens, not sure if that last part is true, but that would be cool!

I was bound and determined to get some exercise today. I made myself walk from the top of The Royal Mile to Holyrood at the bottom, and then I later walked over to New Town. In my exploring, I found a marketplace that used to be a church and ran into a photographer whose picture I have hanging on my wall at home in Utah (see story).

I told him that I was the guy who contacted him from Utah and reminded him that I had his image hanging in my home. He seemed delighted to shake my hand. I promised him that if I had the funds, I would be purchasing another one of his prints when I come back through Edinburgh and before I head home to the states.

Tonight was Italian food for dinner. I’ve eaten at Bella Italia many times over the years because they’re always so good! I ate some bruschetta and some gnocchi.

I just met my new roommate, a guy called Gohan. He is French and pronounces his name more like “jew-on”… only “Frenchier” than that. He told me that he was from about an hour south of Paris and is on a break from University. He is hoping to get a job here at the hostel. He has big plans to get a flat somewhere. He then asked me to go with him to help him open a bank account. I told him I don’t know anything about opening a bank account in the United Kingdom. Still, he told me the reason he wanted to take me was that he could understand me. When he spoke with the Scottish bank representative, he couldn’t understand the thick accent.

I told him that this probably wouldn’t be possible because it’s already late on Saturday night and I’d be leaving early on Monday morning. Plus, knowing me, I would probably accidentally co-sign for something, like possibly that new flat he wants to rent. No thanks.

I hope I can find somewhere to karaoke tonight. That would be fun! Y’all remember I like to sing, right?

/ Dav / 1 Comment

Scotland 6: Day 4

03.02.18 | Edinburgh Hostel | 20:56

Today was a “Check in- check out day”. When Jonny originally told me he was going to join me in Scotland, he said that he was just going to stay for only three days. For this reason, I’d booked us a bedroom with two beds, but then to save money, the rest of my time here was going to be spent in a cheaper room with three beds instead. He decided to extend out for one more day, and because both of us were moving to a new room, we had to be out by 10:00 and weren’t allowed to check back in until 13:00.

We went to get a late breakfast, but as soon as they let us check back in, we did so. I asked the desk clerk if he could put me in the same room as Jonny. After tinkering with his computer for a few minutes, I ended up getting the room upgrade for free. I’m not even sure why this happened, but I’m glad it did.

For our final day together, we went to the cinema in New Town. Dinner was at a nearby Indian restaurant. Since we were both craving this for a few days, this totally hit the spot! It was a great day, but I will say one thing: Jonny does not like walking around in the snow and he hasn’t been afraid to remind me of that fact, at least thirty-five times over the last three days. I just wish he would have enjoyed his time here. He has clearly been miserable. If I could control the weather, I totally would. I decided, from the beginning, that I wasn’t going to let the weather control my mood. Jonny, however, did not.

Tomorrow, Jonny is off to Milan. I hope it’s warm for him (even though I know it isn’t going to be), and I hope he finds a part of the trip that will make him happy. Or rather, I hope he chooses to be happy. We had quite a few heart-to-heart conversations and the man has been through a lot of hard times. Life is good, and I think we all need reminders of that from time to time. At least, I know I do.

I think that we have singlehandedly drank all of the hot chocolate in Scotland. It feels like we have, at least. I really need to eat healthier while I’m here. Perhaps I’ll start eating more salads and drinking less hot chocolates.

…but it tastes so good!

/ Dav / Leave a comment

Scotland 6: Day 3

03.01.18 | Edinburgh Hostel | 14:13

Snow-mageddon rages on! It’s really not a huge amount of snow, especially compared to what we’re used to in the states, but the biggest problem is that I’ve yet to see a single snow plow come through and clear the streets. I imagine they have them here, but they must be working in other parts of the city at the moment. The only snow clearing has happened from the brave drivers who are venturing out. Jonny is over it. Even though he lives in Chicago, where they get so much more snow than here, this is definitely not how he’d pictured Scotland in his head. He’s weighing his options… he’s either going to fly somewhere else (possibly Italy), stay here for a few more days, or just head back to the states. I’ll definitely miss him when he goes, but at this point I just want him to be happy. We’ll see what he ends up doing. I, for one, love the snow, but most of the businesses around Edinburgh have decided to stay closed. This is so their employees don’t have to come to work. Even the cinema is closed at the moment. So on a cold, blustery day, we could be watching a movie, but instead, we’re hanging out at the hostel. I’m working on this blog entry while Jonny decides what he wants to do, travel-wise.

We went back to Mum’s for lunch. The server seemed amused to see us back since we’d eaten there for dinner last night. I told her that she may even see us another time or two because almost all of the other restaurants are not opening their doors today. I had a venison and redcurrant pie, with a “deluxe hot chocolate”. Jonny had a questionable-looking veggie burger and some kind of shake with alcohol in it.

24:10

We learned today that the people of Edinburgh DO NOT plow the streets here like they would in any other civilized society. It’s no wonder that most of the businesses have had to remain closed for the day. This storm is the heaviest one they’ve had in about 22 years, according to our server. The city doesn’t really want to invest in all the snow-removal equipment, because they don’t know when they’re going to need it again.

At dinner time, we found a few restaurants open on High Street, but decided to trudge through the snow over to the New Town side. We managed to find a Chinese restaurant. The food was alright, but the chef sure loved to use salt. Both my soup and entree were extremely salty. Afterward, we headed over and found some dessert at an Italian restaurant/ cafe.