The University

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As in most cities, I suppose, each neighborhood of Edinburgh is different, and the University area has its own wonderful energy. We entered the campus near the student center, one of those gorgeous old academic buildings with interesting renovated spaces inside. I was impressed by the "Library Bar," where students can study and drink beer in one convenient place. It looked very civilized when we were there, but Gina said it's pandemonium at night - so maybe it shouldn't be our model for the new beverage area at the Brooks Memorial Library. We also went to the real library, a many-storied modern tower that was almost as hard to enter as Castle in the old days. But with the proper ID and some completed paperwork, we were allowed a brief tour with Gina as our guide. We also got to see the buildings where Gina takes Latin and Gaelic classes, and, best of all, we got to sit in on an art history lecture. In another of the happy coincidences of our trip, the guest lecturer was the curator of the National Gallery. She gave an interesting talk on style in art, from a curator's point of view. We sat in the front row, where Gina and two of her good friends always sit. It was fun to be part of her university world for awhile.

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Photos

The student neighborhood
Blurry, but cool: this is the restaurant where we went for Gina's birthday dinner