Edinburgh: Navigating by Steeple

Arrived safely in Edinburgh on Monday. Good job to the Scottish--they were friendly right away and gave me a good impression of them!

I met up with Ellen at the hostel. We left our heavy luggage and began a day-long wander through the city.

The park and all the benches were packed with people chatting and napping in the glorious sunshine.

Scattered across the green are memorials to the Jewish communities, the Scottish soldiers, and the Norwegian soldiers in World War II.

 

Historic, browned buildings and cobbled streets are common sights in Edinburgh, and so are commanding cathedrals. You can't go far without seeing a spire or a steeple sticking up like a tour guide's umbrella. If only they looked a little more distinguishable, they would make perfect landmarkers.

We ambled through alleyways and down the Royal Mile, happy to stumble across bagpipers, handmade pendants, Pinterest-worthy shops, and a working wool mill. Pretty soon our bellies demanded food, so we stopped and educated ourselves on local dishes. Ellen bravely ordered haggis and liked it. I decided to suppress my tears and do as the Scottish--lamb stovie for me! It had that stinky taste that goat cheese has, but still, it was really nice! The flavors all melded together in a savory, tender, and filling mash steaming in its crockery.

As warm as it was at two o'clock, by half six we regretted leaving our coats behind. Being lost is less of a game with a chilly wind blowing your face. Helpful strangers directed us uphill back to the city center. Once back, we plopped in front of the gas fire, thawed out, and called it a night.

 

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