This Friday Laurel, here roommate Kelly and I went to Edinburgh Scotland. It was quite simply amazing. Most assuredly one of my favorite weekends.
I got in early Friday morning not knowing what I was going to do as Laurel and Kelly's Train didn't get in until midnight. I got to the hostel at 8:45am. Had breakfast for 2 pounds - all you can eat! And then farted around on the computer until about 10:30. A company offers free tours - though you have to tip because thats how the tour guides make their money - of the city. While I was waiting for the tour to start someone tapped me on the shoulder. I turned around and realized it was another RA Jason! How crazy!!!!!!!!!! I was so floored I couldn't place him for a really long time in my head.
That just blew my mind. He's studying in Madrid and seems to be just having the time of his life. He's gone to a different country almost every weekend.
The tour was amazing. We had a great guide who took us all over the place. A three hour tour...I was a little worried as I am rather Gilligin-ish. The city is home to an amazing castle on a cliff face in the middle of the city. Google Eddinburgh Castle right now, it's crazy. Also the birthplace of Dr. Jeckle and Mr. Hyde. And a bunch of crazy things.
The city is ancient. All mid-evil buildings and winding roads. Really hilly too which was a pain, but made it all the more worth it when you got some place.
The reason Laurel wanted to go there was because it is also the birth place of not just King James VI and I of the King James Bible, not just of Adam Smith of the Wealth of nations father of capitalism, not just David Hume all around Philosophical master, but most importantly J.K ROWLING AND HOME TO HARRY POTTER!!!!!!!
That's right lady's and gents I saw the castle where today there is a school that J.K. Rowling looked at in the coffee shops of Edinburgh as she wrote about the Sorcerers stone. Not only did I see the castle, I sat in the Cafe where she wrote all of her books! A place called the Elephant House. Laurel was, to say the least, unconscious with joy.
When Jason and I were at lunch he mentioned that he was going to Death Cab for Cutie concert that night. They are one of my favorite bands. I mean seriously what were the chances. So he and this kid from Vancouver named Lewis and I went to the concert. Lewis and I scalped tickets. I got mine for 20 - only 3 Pounds above price and his for 10!!!!! He ran into the family of the opening band and they more or less gave it to him, lucky guy.
The concert was amazing. Laurel showed up and they ARE her favorite band. She was pretty jealous, but serves her right for not getting in till midnight! Just joking...kinda he he he
The next morning we woke up early and went to the big park for hike. We climbed to the top of a Volcano called King Arthur's seat. You could see the ocean and the whole city from there. It was also really really windy. Simply amazing we didn't get blown off. Laurel will post pictures soon. I forgot my camera in Dublin being the idiot I am, so no pictures from me.
Then we went to Edinburgh Castle which was really cool on the outside, but really cheesy on the inside. What was really cool though is that it is home to the oldest Crown Jewel's in the world dating from the 1500's. They were hidden for about 100 years when cromwell took over. And have gone through some pretty amazing things.
They also have the scottish king's Stone of Destiny - what a name. No one knows how old it is, but every King of Scotland has been crowned on it since before memory. Legend says that where ever the stone lays the Scotts shall rule. It was stolen by one of the English Kings in the 12oo's but in a few hundred years King James the VI of Scotland or I of England as he is better known took the crown of England and the Scottish line has ruled england ever since. It remained under the thrown in West minster Abbey just to stick it to the Scots until 1940 when some crazy nationalist scottish students broke in with a crowbar and stole, broke, they buried the stone of Destiny. They dug it up about 10 years latter and the stone went from basement to basement for years before they finally left it at the place where the Scottish had declared their independence under William Wallace. It came back in 1996 thanks to Tony Blair
Then we went to the Elephant House, then for baked potatoes and HAGIS!!! If you have a weak stomach - Granddad - don't read this next bit.
Hagis is minced up sheep's liver, heart, kidneys, and intestine that is mixed with herbs and spices, as well as oats and corn , then boiled in a sheep's stomach for three hours. Probably the grossest sounding thing ever, but surprisingly really really good.
We went to bed at about 12 and I woke up early to have breakfast with Laurel and fly back.
Over all an amazing weekend.
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