Edinburgh

Scotland doesn't really sound like a place where big things happen. I heard the three days of crisp weather I had in Edinburgh were the only "sunshine" they had all winter. The city, when I arrived, as beautiful as it was, seemed like it was in deep hibernation. (Puts a writer in a good mood though - perhaps this is why J.K Rowling was able to draft her Harry Potter series) But when you least expect things to happen, they happen to happen, at the most inconvenient time of your life, at the most unexpected settings, at the most unsettling circumstances. Such was Edinburgh to me, making it perhaps one of the most unforgettable trips in Europe.

In the morning of the flight, after a hearty 75cent meal (I've thanked them once, I'll thank them again - thank you, Marks and Spencer, for selling reduced to clear products near closing hour. These meals are extremely filling and good, not sure about healthy, but they are as healthy as packaged ready-made tv dinners can get. I thoroughly recommend them. Grafton Street on Dublin, everyone, around 7pm.) we Ryanair-ed our way to Edinburgh in the middle of the week, in lieu of lectures, tutorials, and assignments.

Edinburgh Castle, from the peasant's view.

Also called "The City of Literature" <3 

It was in Edinburgh where I first saw a 1950s blue police box in real life. As a Doctor Who enthusiast (and a whole blog dedicated to that later ;) ) I was stoked when I spotted this -

Ta-da! Turns out you can pretty much find these on every street corner. So don't be upset if you didn't get to snap a shot with the first one you saw. 

More people would have visited the outside of the castle and left than those who paid to see what's inside. Even the tour guide didn’t recommend it. The best you can do for this is not to expect too much. Here’s a glimpse of the interior, and I’m not sure how close I am to the main poll for tourists, but I did enjoy learning a wee dram of Scottish history by walking through the castle.

Gather at 1pm (daily) to hear the cannons (or was it guns) fire.

"Excalibur! 'Tis mine!" 

There is also a lovely park in Edinburgh with lots of lovely buildings surrounding it

I had stayed up all night finishing an essay the night before the trip, which made me fall sleep in The Elephant House cafe (Harry Potter's birthplace) by an unfinished hot chocolate, and also fall asleep during the pub crawl that night (takes a lot to fall asleep during a pub crawl). Perhaps that is the reason Edinburgh seemed like it was asleep - because I was asleep.

Pretty streets are always a delight to walk through.

The National Museum of Edinburgh is quite the visit. Jump around and let yourself loose.

Memoir scribbling.

Bagpipe attempting.

Feet texting.

Button pressing.

Catapult testing.

Doctor calling...

(Mini) Tardis controlling!

When in Scotland, there is something you just cannot miss – and that’s haggis. It tasted good, then a bit bland, then a bit rich, then a bit repulsive. But you have to try it. With Scottish beer, like the Flying Scotsman (or was it Dutchman…).

Haggis made fancy.

In the end travelling sums up to the people you were there with. I don’t remember much of a London trip I went alone. It felt like I had stepped out for a breath of fresh air and come straight back to my room again. It’s the people you met and the games you played that makes a new city memorable. Sometimes something like that is worth skipping a few lectures for.

That part where you gaze at a glowing city through the darkness on a hill.