Weekend in Edinburgh

Megan, Aldonza, and I spent the weekend in Edinburgh. We took the train in Friday morning and came back Saturday evening. We were exhausted by the end of the trip. We started out our time in Edinburgh with a trip to the Castle (which are hostel looked right out on, it was pretty awesome). We went on a guided tour for about 45 minutes and then explored and took in the sights. It was a clear day, so we had an amazing view.

After exploring the Castle we decided to have lunch at the Elephant House, where JK Rowling came up with Harry Potter. We sat in the back room, where she sat, and looked out the window at the Castle. We had a perfect view. So our question became, if JK Rowling was looking at that castle while writing Harry Potter, isn't it obvious that the Edinburgh Castle is really Hogwarts? (BTW, there is totally a correct answer to this question (YES!))

We finished lunch and then shopped. Correction, I shopped, Megan and Aldonza watched. Oh well, I got some cool stuff. We then stopped back by the Hostel to drop off our stuff and check in. It turns out that the view out of the window by my bed was right at the Castle. What a great sight to wake up to.

Then we wandered down to the Princes Street Gardens apparently at the perfect time because the sun was shining on the Castle and this fountain at the perfect amount and angle, great for some prime picture opportunities.

Nearby there was a playground which had what other than giant chess pieces. Giant chess pieces next to the castle that JK Rowling was looking at when she came up with the idea of Harry Potter? Sound familiar? Kind of like the first book in a wildly popular series of 7 books? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?

After dinner at this bar/sports restaurant thing we headed to this highly recommended pub for live music. The musicians were an hour late and that night the music was what sounded like one guy on the violin. We could barely hear. So we teamed up with some people that were also waiting for this supposedly great music and went to find some actual good music. We ended up at this bar with a couple of people doing covers of America songs. We hung around, chatted for an hour or so, and then, exhausted, left for the hostel.

Yesterday we got up, had some breakfast, and went out to hike up Arthur's Seat (a mountain next to the Palace at Holyroodhouse). It was great, but very windy. We once again had a clear day so we could see out in pretty much all directions.

After lunch and some more shopping (again, done by me) the three of us headed over to the National Museum of Scotland, a history museum. There were exhibits of life in Scotland ranging from pre-human to the present day. It was really cool to see old coins, clothes, and jewels. However, we were exhausted, really, really, exhausted. So we got back on the train, and came back to school.

All in all, it was a fun few days, we got to see a lot, and I spent some money!

ps

I heard from a little bird (Granny Betty) that I should put more pictures in my blog. Hope this helps!