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Published: June 12th 2006
First, some formalities…
As you may have noticed, I am prone to exclaiming over my love of “gothic architecture”. Before we go any further, I feel that some explanation of this phrase is in order. Now, although it is fairly apparent that I hold an appreciation for old architecture, the truth is that I have little actual knowledge of architectural styles and tend to refer to any old building that takes my fancy as “gothic”. That being said, I will not tolerate any architecture buffs leaving snide comments about my forthcoming errors. Such comments will be swiftly deleted and their writers publicly shamed in future entries.
And now to the entry…
I arrived in fair Edinburgh this morning, greeted by gloomy rain and a cold wind. I suppose it was inevitable that I would one day encounter “real” Scottish weather, though searching for a hostel through narrow, cobbled streets was not the optimum time. I did eventually find the hostel and was pleased to see that reception was at the top of a flight of winding stairs (77 steps, to be exact, they were nice enough to number them, as well as paint encouraging slogans on the
walls: “think of the calories you’re burning!” and the like). The hostel is pleasant and only slightly dirty (what I thought was a cockroach in the bathroom turned out to be only a stain on the wall so it’s all good).
Edinburgh is a lot creepier than Glasgow but much more tourist oriented. One can hardly walk ten feet before they are offered “authentic” highland costumes. I began my explorations of the city with, to no one’s surprise I’m sure, the Greyfriar’s Tollbooth, an old cemetery. The grounds hold over 250, 000 bodies and are purported to be one of the most haunted places in Edinburgh (at one point, I did hear footsteps following me, though it turned out to be some other tourists).
Disappointed with my lack of supernatural encounters, I headed up the Royal Mile to Hollyroodhouse Palace, the official residence of the royal family when they are in Scotland. The palace interiors were somewhat impressive though slightly dusty but the Abbey ruins in the palace gardens were themselves worth the price of admissions.
Feeling athletic in my hiking boots, I decide to attempt the ascent to Arthur’s Seat, 823 feet up Hollyrood Park. Braving
Greyfriar's Bobby
A statue to the memory of the Greyfriar's dog, Bobby, who, as the story goes, sat everyday for 14 years at his late master's grave.a narrow path on the side of a cliff, gusts of wind that nearly toppled me from my perch, and children throwing stones from above, I soon realized that I had chosen the wrong path and could only reach a slightly lower peak across from Arthur’s Seat. Feeling dejected and exhausted, I returned to my hostel, where I now sit writing to you all.
N.B. photos will be added as soon as I find a computer that will allow me to upload them. Until then, you may enjoy the map of my route so far.
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Wendy
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I'm still laughing at the counted stairs in the hostel. Glad to see the place has a sense of humor. lol.........And that there was no cockroach in the bathroom.....So Edinburgh doesn't sound as nice as Glasgow eh? I hope you enjoy yourself, despite the rainy weather and meet lots of interesting people at the hostel and in the city. I look forward to seeing your latest pics. Take care Gali, Wendy