Day #2: Edinburgh

With Love from Forsyth's Tearoom

Day #2 of Scotland and my first full day!  Woke up at 10AM after a wonderful 13 hours of sleep and went out to explore some more.  I've been sticking mostly to the "Royal Mile" and Princes Street, which are touristy areas of Edinburgh, but I ventured into a little back-alley breakfast/tea parlor this morning for lunch.  The woman who ran the shop was like a little old grandmother - sweet but imposing - and made my food right there after I ordered it.  We talked a bit, and she ended up giving me a ribbon of lavender satchels in case I ever "studied too hard and needed a break".  Can't beat Scottish hospitality!

Before going to Scotland, I stupidly asked my mom if there were big hills there...well...

After lunch/breakfast took a walk down and then back up the Royal Mile.  Got a chance to go yesterday, but didn't really venture out from the immediate area in case I got lost.  Today I gave myself a little more freedom and ended up at the Scottish Parliament - a fairly modern building and perhaps the only modern building on the Royal Mile - and then at Edinburgh Castle.  Lots of tourists, and tourist traps, including a bagpiper and a man dressed as William Wallace.  Still, everything is still new and exciting, so even silly things like that seem cool.  Didn't get a chance to go inside anything like the castle, but I'll make it sometime during the semester and will be sure to update you on it!

Finally, after orientation me and my new friends from Arcadia ventured out to try and find a pub.  After an unsuccessful attempt to get to somewhere with "grass" in its name, we stumbled upon the wonderfully named  Whistle Binkies where I finished my first beer (an IPA of unknown type, if anyone's interested)!  Good way to start off I think.