But first, our last day in London! Ang and I woke up and got our things together and took the tube over to Wimbledon to see the new Camille McMurry! It was so great to spend the day in London with two of my best friends! We saw the flat that Glen and Camille just moved into, had fish & chips at a local place close to their home and then took the tube to meet Glen at his office building after work. He took us to Borough Market, which is an outdoor market with little specialty shops of foods, drinks, olive oils, spices, etc. It was really neat. We went to a pub and just chatted for awhile before Ang and I headed to try and find out hostel. We stayed the night near the Victoria station because we had to be at the train at 4:50 to head to the airport to make our flight to Scotland. We had a great couple days in London but were excited for our next stop!
Ahhh Scotland. Its just so wonderful. From where I have been before I would sum it up like this: the beautiful architecture and old buildings similar to France, with the incredible green moutainous hills and lush green trees and fields of Switzerland. So basically I could go on and on about how much Im in love with it! And throw in the accents of the people and im done for.
So we arrived in Edinburgh early in the morning Saturday and we found our hostel. We are staying right off the Royal Mile at a place thats inside a 400 year old building, its hilarious as most hostel experiences are but its been great for us! We started walking the city and went to the Scottish Art Museum where we saw works by Raphael, Monet, Da Vinci, and Boticelli. I wish I knew more/ cared more about art. but I really know nothing. Next we went to the Museum of Scottish History which was so neat!! We toured around and saw stuff for a couple hours before going to the roof where there is an AMAZING view of the city! Mountains, water, a castle, little shops. what more could you need? Then we decided to get tea at a tea house and people watch. Afterwards we went down Haymarket street which is probably my favorite street in Edinburgh, its lined with specialty shops for whiskey, cheese, vintages, stationery, even yarn and crocheting. We made our way to the Edinburgh Castle which was really cool, we spent time enjoying the view from high in the castle and went through the royal chambers, etc. That night we chatted with some nice girls from our hostel who are traveling on holiday from London! Also I love the old scottish men who work in the museums, they are absolutely adorable and so helpful!
Yesterday was the best day of our time so far! We woke up early to walk and explore the city. There is something so wonderful about experiencing the city in the early morning, as people are just starting to make their ways out for coffee, or to work, or to go running. I love to see the city as it is before the tourists begin to crowd the streets. The feel and energy is so much more quaint and peaceful! Its my favorite time to walk around without a destination in mind and really explore whats around. Afterward we got ready and sat in a coffee shop, drinking coffee and journaling, just enjoying a nice cool brisk morning. Around 10 we went to the train station to take a train to St. Andrews. This is probably our best decision of the trip! St. Andrews. wow its so great! We went to an adorable littel restaurant/shop and got a sandwich and drinks to take to the beach for lunch. We sat in a park on a hill with the St. Andrews Old Course to our left and the beach from chariots of fire right in front of us (disclaimer I have never seen the chariots of fire, this is just what im told about the beach :)) Since it was a sunday, the course was open to the public so we got to walk as much of it as we wanted! We sat and watched some golfers before going to the British Golf Museum and then sitting back in the park. A choral orchestra was playing in the park and we just sat and listened as they played "Havent met you yet" by Michael Buble. It was awesome! We walked along the coast to see the Castle and Cathedral. At the Cathedral we walked along a pier made of stone out into the water. Lets just say it was incredible, I could have sat there forever. It was basically the most perfect afternoon. We took the train back last night in time to get spots in the city for the end of the Edinburgh Festival fireworks show. Certain things you cant plan are what make trips and this was definitely one of those things. The entire city shuts down and everything closes, with the streets blocked off for people to stand and sit in as an Orchestra plays in Princes Street Park as fireworks were shot off of the Edinburgh Castle in time with each orchestral piece. Absolutely the best fireworks show I have ever seen, and coming off of a legitimate castle. really? yess we did that for sure. I love how big the festival is in the city, we saw somewhere that it was expected for over a million people to see the fireworks and the train station was overflowing with people coming in to experience it. It was just so so great!!
We have one more day in Edinburgh, we are going to hike up Arthurs seat to the top of the old volcano and take a picnic, then head back to London for one more night and morning before Ang leaves back to the states and the reality of my traveling alone begins as I head to Wales!
oh and just imagine listening to bagpipes on the streets. seriously visit Scotland. mom & dad just go ahead and book those tickets.
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