Bright and early on the morning of June 26th, Megan and I made our way back to the Dublin airport where we caught our flight to Edinbrough, Scotland. We ended up flying with the missionaries which always makes a flight more fun.
As soon as we arrived in Edinbrough, we took a few minutes in the airport utilizing the free wifi to figure out how to get to the center of the city and then how to get to our hostel. We IMMEDIATELY fell in love with Edinbrough! We rode a double decker bus to the Royal Mile section of the city and couldn't stop smiling. We were finally seeing the Europe we had desired.
We had to ask directions a couple of times to find the Royal Mile (which we learned is the mile between the castle and the palace) but as soon as we did it wasn't hard to find MacBackpackers Hostel where we were staying. Carrying our packs didn't stop us from snapping a few fun pictures along the way.
Our hostel was nice but we couldn't help but laugh at how they named the beds. We had to wonder if there was any coincidence to the names we were given.
We enjoyed our first "free tour" of the adventure. Free tours are given in most cities with the intent that you tip the guide what you believe the tour was worth at the end. If only I knew that Andy gave the best free tour we would have I would have tipped him more. Unfortunately I have forgotten much of the fun facts he shared about Scotland since my mind was filled day after day with new material. I can't, however, forget the beauty and fun that was felt as we wandered that great city.
We were both wonderfully surprised to find out how many connections Edinbrough has to J.K. Rowling and her writing of Harry Potter. The Edinbrough Castle itself looks like Hogwarts with the Quidditch stadium outside (it is actually where the military tats competition is held).
J.K. Rowling sent her kids to a school in Edinbrough and right outside the school is a cemetery with many familiar names from the books (coincidence?).
Like Hollywood, J.K. Rowling has left her handprints in the cement.
And, of course, we ate at the Elephant House Cafe where J.K. Rowling sat and wrote much of her famous series. I was so grateful to find that even though they could have all rights to up their prices, it is actually a reasonably priced and delicious cafe. The bathrooms quite intrigued me, as well.
After our tour and our lunch at The Elephant House Cafe we toured the Edinbrough Castle. I will admit that we enjoyed the view from up there more than anything inside the museums.
We sure loved our short time in Edinbrough. We even enjoyed our first Milka chocolate bar, found a new favorite store, Ness (if I were rich I would have practically bought the entire store...cutest clothes ever!!), and a favorite restaurant, Nando's.
As soon as we arrived in Edinbrough, we took a few minutes in the airport utilizing the free wifi to figure out how to get to the center of the city and then how to get to our hostel. We IMMEDIATELY fell in love with Edinbrough! We rode a double decker bus to the Royal Mile section of the city and couldn't stop smiling. We were finally seeing the Europe we had desired.
We had to ask directions a couple of times to find the Royal Mile (which we learned is the mile between the castle and the palace) but as soon as we did it wasn't hard to find MacBackpackers Hostel where we were staying. Carrying our packs didn't stop us from snapping a few fun pictures along the way.
Our hostel was nice but we couldn't help but laugh at how they named the beds. We had to wonder if there was any coincidence to the names we were given.
We enjoyed our first "free tour" of the adventure. Free tours are given in most cities with the intent that you tip the guide what you believe the tour was worth at the end. If only I knew that Andy gave the best free tour we would have I would have tipped him more. Unfortunately I have forgotten much of the fun facts he shared about Scotland since my mind was filled day after day with new material. I can't, however, forget the beauty and fun that was felt as we wandered that great city.
We were both wonderfully surprised to find out how many connections Edinbrough has to J.K. Rowling and her writing of Harry Potter. The Edinbrough Castle itself looks like Hogwarts with the Quidditch stadium outside (it is actually where the military tats competition is held).
J.K. Rowling sent her kids to a school in Edinbrough and right outside the school is a cemetery with many familiar names from the books (coincidence?).
Like Hollywood, J.K. Rowling has left her handprints in the cement.
And, of course, we ate at the Elephant House Cafe where J.K. Rowling sat and wrote much of her famous series. I was so grateful to find that even though they could have all rights to up their prices, it is actually a reasonably priced and delicious cafe. The bathrooms quite intrigued me, as well.
After our tour and our lunch at The Elephant House Cafe we toured the Edinbrough Castle. I will admit that we enjoyed the view from up there more than anything inside the museums.
We sure loved our short time in Edinbrough. We even enjoyed our first Milka chocolate bar, found a new favorite store, Ness (if I were rich I would have practically bought the entire store...cutest clothes ever!!), and a favorite restaurant, Nando's.
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