Edinburgh

What can I say about Edinburgh? I miss it already. I was there for only 5 days, and I would move my life there today without any reservations. Maybe that's a little naive, but I can picture a life there. I love it. It's like living in a fairy tale.

I realize I probably sound like the little boy who cried wolf, because I'm pretty sure I've said that I loved every city I've been to and that I can't wait to go back, but Edinburgh is different. I seriously want to go back and live there….for a couple of years, at least.

(And before I go any further, I want to apologize now for the amount of pictures in this post. I realize it is probably taking forever to load, but I couldn't narrow it down any further!)

Love this street

We arrived late Friday night at the Edinburgh airport and took a bus into the city, where we walked to our hostel. It was late, so we just wanted to get some quick dinner and go to bed in order to be refreshed for the morning. We bought some delicious fish and chips (unhealthy meal #1 of trip) and sat on a bench in the middle of the Grassmarket eating our fried food. One guy yelled, "FISH AND CHIPS" at us in capital letters. A bit strange, but factual.

Our GINORMOUS fish and chips

The next morning, we woke up early to eat breakfast at an American-type diner that we had heard about through a cousin of one of my accomplices. It was only a short walk from our hostel, and it was indeed American. They had eggs, bacon, waffles…everything. I got some scrambled eggs and toast. Then some waffles since I haven't had any in the 7 months I've been here (unhealthy meal #2… okay, won't do that anymore. you can count for yourself and judge). It was perfect. The best part was they had water for free. Yes, I said free. How amazing is that? Why can't Germany and the rest of Europe figure out the great invention of free water? The second best part was the bathrooms were also free. In fact, we didn't have to pay for water or a bathroom the entire time we were in Scotland. Imagine that! Get on board, rest of the EU.

The American diner experience

Continuing on…next was our free tour of Scotland with New Europe SANDEMAN's Free Tour. I've done these tours a couple of times in my travels and they never dissapoint. They are free…all they ask is you tip the tour guide as much as you think the tour is worth. You can give as much as you want. Most people give between 5 - 10, but I've seen people also give 20. The Edinburgh tour didn't dissapoint. Our tour guide (Brendan from Ireland) was awesome and we learned so much about Scottish history. If you are traveling anywhere in Europe, I'd suggest googling this tour group and taking one of their tours. They are always much more informative than any other tour I go on, last about 3 hours and you get to see a lot of the city and find out what you would like to re-visit.

The Royal Mile

The Royal Mile

Jordan and me in front of Edinburgh Castle

Where people used to be nailed to the door from their ear when they were caught lying/stealing/etc. In front of St. Giles Cathedral.

The rest of our days was spent seeing as much as possible and eating a lot of great food. Here are a few highlights:

-Walking to the top of Arthur's Seat, part of the ancient volcano that Edinburgh is built through/around. It was quite a hike, but definitely well worth it. Spectacular views.

On our way up to Arthur's Seat

Still on our way up...

Halfway up… Alita and me enjoying the view

Andddd Jordan and me enjoying the view halfway up

to show how insanely windy it was the whole entire time at Arthur's Seat

At the top!

Taking in the great view...

-Eating at the Elephant House Cafe, which was made famous as it is the cafe where J.K. Rowling birthed Harry Potter and wrote the first few books. We actually ended up being sat at the exact table that she is rumored to have sat. It had drawers, which we of course opened, and found dozens of letters and notes to J.K. Rowling and other travelers. Very interesting. It also overlooks Greyfriar's Kirk (Graveyard), which has 2 famous graves: one hosting the names Tom Riddle Sr and Tom Riddle Jr, the other William McGonnagal, both of which did in fact inspire characters in her books. The cafe overlooks a school as well, which inspired the four different houses of Hogwarts. You can definitely feel Harry Potter while walking around Edinburgh. That might sound incredibly nerdy, but I don't care. The books are awesome, no shame, and you can definitely see how Edinburgh inspired them.

The drawers and letters!

Tom Riddle's Grave

Part of Greyfriar's Kirk

-Tiny bookstores filled with old, used books. We had a ball in there, finding really old books (which I had to end up shipping home… too heavy for RyanAir's 10kg limit).

-We (some of it just I after they left on Monday morning, I stayed until Wednesday) also did a ghost tour (with same tour company), went to the National Museum, National Library, Writer's Museum, the top of Carlton Hill (great views at dusk)...

On Ghost Tour

Edinburgh is truly a place that I suggest visiting when you have the chance. It really exceeded my expectations, which were already high. They have great museums, libraries, arts, and people. Although I think we met more Irish and Australians than Scottish people, but they were all very friendly. Plus, it was great to be in an english-speaking country for a few days.

So if there are any Scottish men out there reading this that want to marry me (between the ages of 23 and 33), just leave a comment; I'll be in touch. I want to live in Edinburgh.

Weekend in Italy

This past weekend, a friend and I migrated to warmer weather in the form of Italy. Winter is a little bland here in Germany. Very grey. And rainy. I actually don't mind the rain that much (especially when I get to use my yellow umbrella, inspiringly bought because of the yellow umbrella from HIMYM), but I'm not a huge fan of grey. I like color… color is happiness. Italy trumps Germany in the color department…and being there just for the weekend did the trick. It replenished my color deposit so that I can make it until Spring starts to bloom here in Germany.

We flew into Pisa very early on Friday morning, arriving at about 12 pm. Our plan was this:

Friday - Cinque Terre

Saturday - Florence

Sunday - Pisa

For the most part, our plan was a success. I won't go deep into the details of Friday, but we did not end up seeing Cinque Terre. I have been there once before, almost three years previously, and loved it. Great hiking, beautiful scenery. Unfortunately, we didn't realize that there had been a rockslide and most of the trail is unaccessible right now. One of the towns was even completely destroyed and is now vacated, which is really sad. So a lot of our Friday was spend on a train up the coast of Italy to Cinque Terre, a wrong train even more up the coast of Italy, then back down the coast of Italy to Pisa. The good part was that we got to see some amazingly beautiful views and play MASH, which is always fun, even at 23 years old.

So that was our Friday. Not entirely successful, but we still had fun times and the weather was warm, which makes everything better.

Saturday was amazing. It was our Florence day. I love art history; Botticelli is my main man. Last time I was in Florence, it was only for a few hours and I only had time to go see the Duomo and real David. This time, I was determined to see as much as possible in one day, and I'd say we accomplished that. We got there early, sat down outside the Duomo at a cafe, and drank a cappuccino while munching on some breakfast. All was delicious of course. We then explored the Duomo, walked over to the Ponte Vecchio, shopped, and bought some art. We went to the Uffizi so that I could see Botticelli's most famous paintings, which were incredible. After that, we needed some nourishment, so we went to find the lunch spot which was recommended to us by a local italian man. And let me tell you, it was possibly the best lunch that I have ever had. There's just something about eating in Italy that makes me extremely happy. Maybe it's the atmosphere or how Italians really love food, but food just tastes better in Italy. We each ordered some Bruschetta for appetizers, and I had pesto fettucini, while Jordan had an arrabiata sauce with spaghetti noodles. AH I want some more now. After lunch, we did a bit more shopping around the leather markets (Florence is the leather capital of the world), I accidentally bought 2 scarves and a gorgeous leather purse each for my mom and me.

gorgeous. and delicious.

the Duomo!

In front of the Duomo.

Gates of Paradise on the baptistery of the Duomo.

Piazza del Signoria… where the fake David rests.

Cute Italian street… loved the flags!

View from Ponte Vecchio.

On the Ponte Vecchio.

By the time we left Florence that night, I was in love.

We ate dinner at a pizza joint in Pisa. They were supposed to have the best pizza in town. After eating a slice, I totally believe it. Quite possibly the best pizza I've ever had. We ordered what the waitress recommended…eggplant and sausage, which apparently is a traditional italian pizza (maybe like our pepporoni pizza?). I must order pizza with eggplant more often. Oh so good.

Sunday, we slept in a bit then set out to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa, which was cooler than I thought it'd be. I figured it would look the same as in pictures, but it was a lot bigger and lean-ier (word, yes?) than I imagined. The area surrounding the tower was also pretty and where all the tourists were gathered, of course. The rest of Pisa is basically only locals, I think. Helps you to get the more authentic feel rather than staying in a city bombarded by tourists.

Leaning Tower…doesn't look so leaning here.

Good lean view! but still doesn't really show its true "lean".

We got on the plane back to Germany on Sunday afternoon. When we left Italy, it was a balmy 60 degrees and sunny. As soon as we flew into Germany and started our descent, it was raining and about 40 degrees. But that's OK…it will be spring soon enough and Germany will have sunshine again (I feel if I say this enough, it will come true).

I can't wait to go back again. Next time, I plan on staying for 3 weeks and eating nonstop. Who wants to go with me?