Hey peeps! I’m back from Scotland, writing this post from London HQ. Though I was only there for 3 days, Edinburgh made a really good impression on me. Its green green green, laid back and the people are really friendly. The accents are super rad and I couldn’t get enough of listening to locals saying pretty much anything. I think you all would love visiting Scotland so make it out there one day. The further you go into the Highlands the more magical it gets as I’m sure unicorns and leprechauns often get together for tea parties on the lochs. At least this is how I see it in my head. We started our Scotland adventure with Whisky drinks and fish & chips at a very old Inn in Edinburgh (Hawes Inn) which was featured in Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel Kidnapped. He came up with the idea for the book while staying here! I had 2 Whiskys, as did pretty much everyone else in my party and we definitely got our jollies on as a result. The famous cantilever Forth Rail Bridge was just across the way and it was quite an impressive sight. (ps: Scottish whisky is spelled with a "y". American whiskey is spelled with an "ey") While in Edinburgh we stayed at a Holiday Inn which was evacuated the next morning because of a tripped fire alarm. I was in the bathroom at the time and heard the alarm but for some reason didnt register that it might be something important and worth evacuating for. After 5 minutes I opened the door and saw people running down the hall with their suitcases and only then did I think, "oh shit, I gotta get outta here" so I did. Everyone was lined up in the parking lot and after about 10 minutes we went back inside after the fire truck came and made a quick inspection. It was all very random and funny. Downtown Edinburgh is seriously picturesque with soot-stained, stone gothic cathedrals and castles dotting the landscape alongside green hills, craggs and the sea in the background. My dad and I went up to Edinburgh Castle which was quite a treat. It sits on the top of a tall hill and overlooks all of Edinburgh. Lots of decorated guards in Kilts stood watch at specific posts and every few minutes performed a sentry patrol/changing of the guards maneuver; I couldn’t get enough of it. My biggest achievement was eating Haggis. I had it twice and the 2nd time it was fried. Friends, I have to say I really enjoyed it. Its got such a bad reputation but all it really is is an oatmealy sausage. Sure its made of liver, hearts, lungs and wheat but all you really taste is wheaty, salty spiceyness. Frankly, I think one should be more afraid of regular American hot dogs. Yeah, its really heavy and it doesnt look so pretty but do yourself a favor, have a haggis! (T-shirt slogan alert…) All in all I really enjoyed Scotland and its probably owed to our Edinburgh friends who graciously took us round and showed us the sights. We had a wonderfully gigantic fish and chips dinner at their seaside flat and I even got asked out by lovely Scotch lad who wanted me to stay the night. Unfortunately he was only 4 and I told him I forgot my toothbrush and had to go back home. He’s expecting me next Friday to play with cars but I’m afraid I won’t be able to show up. Ahh, C’est la vie… Tomorrow the M&D and I are heading for Paris on the Eurostar train. Good news is that there will be a labor strike in Paris in the next few days and rail travel is expected to be disrupted as a result, agh! Hopefully we’ll miss the action on our particular routes but I suppose only tomorrow will tell. At any rate, it’ll make for an interesting post when (if) we get back. Slanj! -Marnie (Slanj = cheers in Scotland’ish)

Edinburgh

Edinburgh

Fire alarm fun at the Holiday Inn

Helllllooo…

One for me.

Just the slightest bit of nice weather caused everyone to scurry out for some sun.

 

 

Kebabs, pizzas, burgers, pasta, chicken, fish n’ chips, sit in, takeaway, seriously; what can’t you get here? ps: tons of these multi-purpose food joints in Edinburgh.

 

 

Lollies. Seriously one of my favorite words.

 

Camera Obscura! Perhaps where they got their name? Next to Edinburgh Castle was this optical illusions museum that I think is from ye olde times. The one thing I kept thinking about before getting to Scotland was, "Maybe I’ll run into Camera Obscura or Belle & Sebastian!" 1 out of 2 ain’t bad.

Hey! My cafe! In Edinburgh of all places!

Fish and chips and….

Fried Haggis! Hooray! How appealing you look, Mr. Fried Haggis.

Damn, you are one hot tattie.

Me at the National Monument on top of a hill in Edinburgh.
 

One last thing:
Today i walked around the neighborhoods where my uncle lives (Hampstead and Golders Green) and bough a Phoenix cd for one pound fifty (read: $3) at a thrift shop. I’m really digging this song right now and it definitely feels like this afternoon in London, so maybe if you listen to it you’ll be able to feel it too. Farewell for now! -Marnie

Phoenix: If I Ever Feel Better