Exploits in Auld Reekie

According to my wee site meter, activity has picked up quite a bit around here. As such, allow me to apologize for being delinquent in my duties as blogmaster (or whatever the appropriate title is) these past few weeks. Hopefully this entry will steer us back on course.

On August 27, I left the Big Sleazy for the Garden State's Newark International, making a bit of a scene at Louis Armstrong International in the process. (Mom, Dad, Jen: I really miss you guys.) I spent about thirty minutes of my seven-hour layover in Newark stumbling around the sprawling Terminal C, looking rather pitiable with my airport map, trying desperately to make my way to the international concourse. Upon arrival, I bumped into a few fellow IFSA-Butler travelers, and we made quick work of the obligatory awkward introductions. Seven hours in a cramped Virgin Atlantic airbus later, we touched down in London Heathrow, then hopped a virtually empty plane to Edinburgh.

So far, everything sounds peachy keen, eh? However, those who know me and are familiar with my perceived lot in life know that things are rarely that easy for me. At baggage claim, I found that only one of my bags had made the journey from New Orleans with me (both of us, not surprisingly, looking a little worse for wear). My other bag--you know, the one containing all the essential items, i.e. my cellphone, iPod, hiking boots, etc.--was "lost in transit," according to the British Midlands baggage officer. For THREE DAYS, it was lost in transit. For THREE DAYS, I was freaking out in my bright orange, suede Reeboks (naturally, the only shoes that made it to Edinburgh with me). Did I mention it was THREE DAYS? However, there is a happy ending to this little drama. My final day in Edinburgh, my bag was deposited in my room, its appearance eliciting from me a jubilant squeak and impromptu shimmy on my bed.

Baggage troubles aside, the first week of my trip has been amazing. So, I'll stop flapping my gums for a bit and share with you the sights of Edinburgh as seen through my camera lens. Enjoy! (Remember, click on the image for a larger view.)

This is my first official view of Scotland, as seen from the coach ride on our way into the city. It all seemed very surreal to me (and, honestly, it still does) that I was finally driving past the countryside I had come to know and love through Fodor's and Lonely Planet guides.

Again, the view from the coach. I honestly didn't mean to include the stranded motorists; they just happened to make a cameo appearance in a shot of that gorgeous sky.

This here is the view from my room at the Apex International Hotel. That spire you see to the left belongs to the Highland Tolbooth Kirk, a former cathedral, which now serves as the Edinburgh Festival City Centre. It's situated at the top of the Royal Mile, just at the foot of Castle Rock, where you can also find...

...this magnificent structure, Edinburgh Castle (as seen from the front of my hotel on Grassmarket St.). This castle sits at the top of the Royal Mile, a stretch of road that terminates in Holyrood House, the Scottish royal palace. Though much of the structure was added in the 15th and 16th centuries, Edinburgh Rock--the extinct volcano on which the castle sits--has been used as a fortification since the 7th century.

The back of the castle, taken on an early morning walk through the city.

This monstrosity is the front facade of the new Scottish Parliament. Initial projections placed the building's cost at £40 million; by its completion, total expenditures exceeded £430 million. Needless to say, the Scots were displeased. (It's even fuglier in person.)

This charming structure is advertised as Mary Queen of Scots' bathhouse. When she would take her yearly bath, Mary would come here and soak in a tub filled with champagne, milk, and honey. Rumor has it that her bathwater concoction was then sold to the nobility. Just goes to show money can't buy taste.

I'll likely be pelted with tomatoes for this crack, but I simply cannot resist. Here is the National Library of Scotland under a glorious rainbow that appeared after a brief sprinkle. (Wait for it...) I guess you could call this a "Reading Rainbow." Wokka, wokka, wokka. (Please note: if this reference is lost on you, you are likely not a child of the 80s, and are thus unfamiliar with the Levar Burton PBS series of the same name.)

The front of the Highland Tolbooth Kirk, as seen walking up the Royal Mile toward Edinburgh Castle.

The city-wide view from a bridge on Princes St. The weather in Scotland has been absolutely gorgeous these past few days.

Gravestones in the kirkyard of St. Cuthbert's. Christian worship has been celebrated at the site for the past thirteen centuries. While walking through the graveyard, my group and I stumbled upon a worrisome sight...
Ahhhhhhhh! Scottish zombies!

Leaving St. Cuthbert's, we entered a large park near the shopping center of the city. Here we found this amazing view of the castle.

After our long walk and the scare with Caledonian zombies, we decided to drop by Bobby's Tavern for a wee pint...or three. Anywho, Bobby's is named for Greyfriar's Bobby, a loyal terrier who sat at his master's graveside every day for 14 years. He is now buried next to his master and immortalized in this memorial in front of the bar.

Now, before coming to Scotland, I had been told that the Scots were a friendly, fun-loving people. I was also made aware that they love their drink (after all, who doesn't?). Shortly after this picture was taken, our group was heckled by a rather inebriated young Scot who wanted to make his way into our memory books. Boy did he ever. Allow me to introduce to you...

...ASS MAN! Right-o, enough said about that one. (Though, I must admit, I was pretty stoked about my first international mooning.)

And that, rather fittingly, is the end for now, dear readers. This is but the first of likely many visits to Auld Reekie (Edinburgh, for those not in the know). Soon I'll begin work on the starts of my Glasgow experience, and trips to the Isle of Skye, Inverness, and England's Lake District are in the near future.