Day 15 of travel, but day 1 of Scotland! Flew in from Iceland this morning. Easy flight on Easy Jet. Talked a little politics with some Scottish girls who were in line with me. I restored their faith in America Americans (you’re welcome, America). They said they were always scared to talk to Americans, because they weren’t sure who supports Trump. I informed them that Trump supporters aren’t traveling the world with a backpack, so if they saw one of us traveling, they were pretty safe! 😛
Landed in Edinburgh, breezed through immigration. Customs was just waving everyone through. Got out into the exit area, and stopped into a little store for a bottle of OJ because I a) needed some sustenance (I’d only had a pepperoni stick and a granola bar all day) and b) I needed change for the bus so I had to break my £5 bill. Buses only take exact change, and I needed £1.60. Cracked open google maps, and it said to take the Airlink 100 to Princes St, then the city bus 31/37 (I think that was it) to St. Patrick’s Square. How easy is that?! Went up to the counter. The price on Airlink was $6 one way or $10 roundtrip. Roundtrip, please, no brainer! The (very friendly and chatty!) man charged my card and handed me it and the receipt. I asked if this is what I showed to the driver. He said no! He forgot to give me my ticket!! People, never assume, always double check, don’t be afraid to ask questions!! Started walking toward the bus, looked at my ticket. It said one way! Hmmmmmm. I could have sworn I said roundtrip…. Looked at my receipt. £7.50. Went back to the window. He was helping someone else, but smiled at me, so I told him the problem. He handed me a new ticket. People, never assume, always double check, don’t be afraid to ask questions!! 🙂
As I mentioned, I flew in from Iceland. It’s not called that because of its balmy weather…I was in hiking pants with ski pants over them, a thermal shirt, and knee high smart wool socks. Excellent Iceland attire. Death by sweatication Edinburgh attire! It was HOT! Now, let me clarify hot….it was about 16C (61F). At home in Los Angeles, that is known as “9 degrees below 0”, because 70F is my 0, and below that, I’m cold and bundled up in sweats. I guess I acclimatized to Iceland, because I was DYING!!!!! I sat down on the bus. I seriously couldn’t take it, and told the lady next to me, “I swear I’m not a weirdo, but I HAVE to take my pants off!!”. She (and her family behind her) laughed. As I stripped, I told them I just flew in from Iceland. They had, too! So at least they understood. 🙂
The bus drove along gorgeous streets lined with old homes. There were amazing cathedrals that looked like they were built a zillion years ago. Got off the bus at Princes St. and WOW!! Everywhere you looked was some old, medieval looking AMAZING building or castle or statue or cathedral or SOMETHING! I was in love! This is Europe “proper”!! Iceland, I love you and this is NOT a diss, but you are more Europe “adjacent”! 😉 Iceland exudes nature. Edinburgh exudes history. And I love both. I’ve been to several major European cities in the past couple of years- Paris, London, Brussels, Hamburg, Rome, Florence, Stockholm….now, we have to take Paris out of the lineup, because, well, I teach French History and have a passion for “my” French kings, so it would be treasonous for a good royalist like me to compare Paris to any other city. 😉 However, of the rest of them, Edinburgh (at least what I’ve seen from the bus so far) is the most gorgeous! I literally couldn’t stop smiling. Until I walked to my connection bus stop and stood there. And stood there. And stood there…I finally looked up at the little electronic sign and it said “Buses Diverted”. WHAT?! I texted my airbnb host. So apparently there is a huge women’s march going on to celebrate 100 years of having the right to vote, and a ton of roads are closed. I googled the walk. One mile. With a 25lb pack. Uphill. The bright side? I could see some of this beautiful city! (Old me would have cussed, thrown myself on the sidewalk, and had more than a wee temper tantrum…FYI: My goal is to work the word wee at least once into every blog post. 😜).
Oh, but there was a brighter side! I heard bagpipes! Say what?? BAGPIPES!!! They were getting louder as I walked. I was grinning like a cheshire cat! Speaking of which, I saw the damn cutest Alice in Wonderland dress in the window of Cath Kidston on Princes St…thinking hard about it… Anyway, then, I saw it. A huge RIVER of women, winding down the road, holding signs, singing, laughing. It was awesome! By the time I got to the road they were marching on, the bagpipes had passed, so I didn’t see them. But oh, what a sight!! I fell even more in love with the city! Fortunately, my walking route followed the march route precisely. Kept me entertained and my mind off the hill I was climbing with the backpack. Seriously, every corner I turned was a new photo op of some AMAZING building. But I’ll have time for that next week. For now, gotta put this pack down!
See that line of women winding up toward that castley thing in the back? Crazy!
By the time I reached the Airbnb I was sweating like an Icelander at the equator!! The lady let me in and she is SO NICE!! She poured me a glass of ice water, and we talked about the topic of the day apparently….politics. Guys, it’s on everyone’s mind. Seriously. (This is the day Trump dissed the G7). She showed me my cozy little room and told me where the grocery store was. Perfect, because I had to shop for my 5 day bus tour that starts tomorrow. If you’ve read any of my previous blogs, you know I ain’t about to be eating out for breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day for 5 days! Emptied my day pack, grabbed my cloth bag, and headed off to Tesco. FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD!! AT SUPER CHEAP PRICES!! And I can read what it all is!! 🙂 Of course, after being in Iceland, EVERYTHING is super cheap!! Got all of the things I needed, plus a little meal to heat up for tonight. But food is one thing…drink is another entirely. Especially when that drink is my beloved Diet Dr. Pepper!! And they have it!! In a 6 pack!! And it’s only $4.75 (which is still more than the price I pay for a case of 12 at home, but I’ll take it!)!! That would buy me exactly 1 a half Dr. Peppers in Iceland… Grand total for all of my groceries which should last me most of the next 5 days and is far more varied than what I’ve been eating? $27. 🙂 BTW, £1= about $1.30
Happy with my purchases, I came back to the bnb, ate, drank a well deserved Dr. Pepper, took a shower, and settled in for the evening. Tomorrow, at 8am, I embark on a 5 day bus tour of the Scottish Highlands!!
Wonderful! I enjoyed your walk around the Capital city! I love Edinburgh and the history and buildings are magnificent! Enjoy your visit to our Country and you will love the trip to the highlands…
Thank you so much! I’ll be back in Edinburgh for almost a week when my tour is over. Can’t wait!
Welcome to Scotland. I hope you enjoy your trip and take back great memories of our country.
Thank you so much! 🙂
Welcome to Scotland and hope this amazingly beautiful and historic country provides you with memories that last a life time.Your arrival day in Edinburgh looked quite amazing and look forward to reading about your travels both in Scotland and across Europe in the days to come.
Thank you so much, Eddie! If you join my mailing list (it’s above my picture on the right side), you’ll get an email when I get to a new country. Glad to have you along!
Loved your blog.Came across your South African trip.It was so well written and interesting
So inspirational.
Thank you so much! That’s why I want to share these journals, to inspire other people to get out there and TRAVEL!!
Glad a I came across your journal. Very interesting reading. I too was in Edinburgh today. Just a quick visit for something to eat. Live 30 milea drom town so I’m kind of local. Piece of adbice for the highlands, midge repellent and gallons of it. Those little darlings are evil at the moment. I truely hope you enjoy your trip and if you get a chanse visit New Lanark and Lanark. Just a 30 min train journey from Edinburgh.
Eeek! I’ve never even heard of them! I’ll definitely be on the look out. And thanks for the other suggestions about places to visit- I have a feeling I’m going to be back… 🙂
Hi and welcome! I hope someone has warned you about the midges for your trip to the Highlands. You may need some seriously strong insect repellent! Good luck!
Good advice! Thank you! Any brand you recommend?
Welcome to Scotland! Hope you have a wonderful time!
i enjoyed reading that will now book mark it so i can keep up with your journey talking of kings and queens try my town Dunfermline just across the water we have a 900 year old abbey and palace and more kings and queens burried here than any where else one is King Robert the Bruce and st margaret tomb . alex
Oh, that sounds lovely!! I have a feeling I’m going to be back here to do more exploring, and will put that on my list! Make sure you bookmark http://themiddleofknowwhere.com/destinations/destination-diaries/europe/scotland/, as that’s where all the new Scotland posts can be found.
I hope I am following you now! Love Scotland too!
If you put your email in the box above my picture on the right side, then you’re subscribed! But I only send out an email when I write the first journal for a new country- so just keep at eye out at http://themiddleofknowwhere.com/destinations/destination-diaries/europe/scotland/ each day for the new Scotland entries.
Loved your diary, enjoy the rest of our beautiful country and your adventure
Thank you!
Have a Lovely time in Scotland , really enjoyed your blog !
Welcome to Scotland 😎you need to invest in a bottle of Smidge for your Highland experience, the midges are out in force at the moment. Also, try to get over to see Glasgow while you’re here, the hop on hop off bus is a great way to see a lot in a short time, buses leave from George Square, just across the road from the train station from Edinburgh. Happy travels x
Smidge! I’ll look for that brand! Thank you so much. Unfortunately, Glasgow isn’t on the schedule this trip. Definitely next!
I’m glad too I came across your journal. So well written and entertaining !
I was in Edimburgh in March 2017, visited the Highlands twice on a bus tour and can’t wait to come back! Thanks for taking me back to some lovely memories ! Enjoy your trip ! Hugs from France !
I’m so happy you’re enjoying it! Ah, France! I’ve been there twice, and will be going back for my third time next month- this time to Nice!