We were given a free day to explore Edinburgh and we took advantage of it. Amy, Chloe, and I left the hotel at ten, and didn't stop walking around the city until seven. We saw so many things and I am in love with this place.
Our first destination was St. Giles Cathedral. Pictures were not allowed inside without a pass, but I'm sure others have posted their pictures on the Internet so you should look it up. St. Giles Cathedral houses my favorite stained glass windows that I've seen on this trip. And I've seen a lot of stained glass windows.
After the cathedral the three of us made our way up to Edinburgh Castle. We ran into Sarah and Lizzie on the way up, so the five of us went through the castle together. It was a lot of fun, and it offered an incredible view of the city. Also, the castle was partially hewn out of the mountain, so that was cool. Also, this was the one place we've visited where the inside looked more like it actually used to be. We've seen a lot of bare stone, but the walls would have been plastered and painted. The great hall at this castle was decorated as such, and it was impressive.
After the castle, we split ways. Amy, Chloe, and I went in search of the floral clock we had been informed of in an e-mail from the directors, the library, and somewhere else (though I can't remember what. . .). We stopped at the Scottish National Gallery on the way down, and I discovered that I love Dutch landscape paintings. The ones of cows are nice, too.
After the gallery we were ridiculously hungry. We decided to find food and then explore the Princess Gardens. We managed to start looking for food at exactly the wrong place (all the stores were clothing and shoe stores). We did end up going up a smaller, market-like street, and came across a shop that was called Pig in a Poke. It was cheap, it looked good, and we had to wait for a bunch of men in business suits to exit the building before we could enter. We figured that if the locals liked it, it was a safe bet.
We all got pulled pork sandwiches (and the man pulled the pork off the pig right in front of us so that was exciting). The man started chatting with us as we were waiting, and he asked us how long we were going to be in Scotland. We told him we had a couple of days left, and he got super excited and started telling us places to go. We asked him for directions to the floral clock and he gave those readily, and then told us to go up to Calton hill for an unbeatable view of the city. He told us how to get there and said, "It's beautiful. It's freaking amazing!" Except he swore. The funniest thing was that he said it so quickly, nonchalantly, and in so thick an accent that we weren't rightly sure that he had sworn until we were out of the shop with our sandwiches. But hey! New experiences everywhere you go, right?
We ate our sandwiches (they were the perfect meal for the day) and headed over to the gardens in search of the clock. We couldn't find it anywhere, and we finally asked a gardener where to find it. He pointed us up a ramp and then we found it. We were all expecting a clock tower with a lot of flowers, but it was essentially like the Mickey Mouse made out of flowers in Disneyland. Also, because it's June, it was still being planted. It looks like it'll be cool when it's completed, but we won't be here for that.
After the gardens, Chloe and I wanted ice cream. We decided that getting it was a must, but getting around to it took a bit. We did take the local's advice and climbed up to the top of the hill. It was exhausting, but it was so worth it. There was a tower that we didn't climb, and a half-completed Parthenon that we did. It was beautiful.
The Parthenon was a bit tricky to climb, but climb it we did with a bit of teamwork. Then the three of us just sat and chatted for some time. It was quite lovely. I'm glad I was able to get to know them better. I think (and hope) that we'll stay friends after the program ends.
We did decide that we had more places to see eventually, and went back down the hill. We laughed, sang, and chatted, and the walk was one of the happiest things. Sometimes you meet people that feel like family.
We found a place that sold ice cream cheaper than any other place we'd seen, and all purchased some. I couldn't decide between the lemon and the strawberry so I got both. It was easily one of the greatest ice cream I've ever had. Why don't we have more lemon ice cream back home? We should fix that.
We continued to wander the streets and found the library. It was small, and it sort of reminded me of Barnes and Noble. I loved it, though. A large collection of books is always something I'll love.
We continued to wander the streets of Edinburgh and came across a darling second-hand bookshop. I have never seen so many beautiful books in my life. Thankfully, I wasn't familiar with any of the titles, so I wasn't as tempted to purchase the entire store.
Eventually, after all this wandering, we were hungry again. We found a place called Uncle's that sold Kebabs (because I've been hearing about them for years and have never had one), got take-away, and walked the long way home through a park. It was such a pleasant time, and I enjoyed listening to the stories these girls have to share.
We ate dinner in my hotel room (kebabs are sort of amazing) and talked about all manner of things. And that is how one of the best days ended.
There was some pretty cool cobblestone art. This was my favorite one.
St. Giles Cathedral
I think this was a festival place, but I'm not sure. This morning seems like days ago.
Beautiful streets
Edinburgh Castle
A view from the castle. Also, it was raining, so these pictures aren't the clearest things.
At the castle
This garden area smelled divine. The flowers smelled good, of course, and then the rain was falling and made it all smell better. I can't wait to have a garden of my own!
This was the War Memorial building. Pictures weren't allowed inside, but it was beautiful in there. There were these huge, red leather tomes that were filled with the names of soldiers who had died. It was sobering to read those names. I am so grateful for their fighting, even as I am sad for their deaths.
Inside the great hall. Cool, right? Also, it was really crowded.
Just some cute homes we saw on a street.
The Princess Gardens
This is the floral clock. I'm sure it's more impressive when it's completed. I think it really does work as a clock, because they were installing some sort of mechanical something in the middle, there.
Sir Walter Scott's monument
On Calton's Hill
The library. I don't think there's a happier site than shelves filled with books.
Amy
This is so me. If it hadn't been thirty pounds I probably would have purchased it.
This is arguably the greatest shirt in the world.
Oh! We found a french bakery and Chloe decided that she wanted to try a macaroon. She got the fancy one with the raspberries and said it was delicious. Also, the people running the bakery were very French. I need to touch up on mine.
So basically, wandering the streets of Edinburgh is amazing. You should try it sometime.
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