Lexi's Semester in Sweden: Edinburgh, Scotland Part One

Monday 5/25/15

At the hostel Sidney and I said goodbye to our traveling buddies who were headed home to America! Sidney and I instead stayed a week extra to explore Europe a little more!

At our gate to fly to Scotland!

We arrived in the capital of Scotland, Edinburgh. I was in this city about 8 years ago but don't remember too much so i'm excited to get another chance to discover it.

The gothic architecture in Scotland was gorgeous and a welcomed contrast to the nice red and yellow wood houses in Sweden.

Our first afternoon we bought rugby jerseys! Rugby apparel is sold in every tourist shop. Thats my kind of place.

The street performers in the old town were numerous and fantastic.

Like this bagpipe player. The music of the bagpipe could be heard through all the streets.

We had a great hostel in the old town. This is the dining room/lounge complete with magic rainbow.

Tuesday 5/26/15

Free walking tour of the city!

Sidney in the city

Johnny, our tour guide, started the tour at a statue of Alexander and Bucephalus. This ancient greek story has no relation to Scotland but the country just loves to tell stories. When Alexander (the Great) was 12 there was a horse that no one could tame. Although the horse had killed several men who tried to tame him, Alexander's father the king let Alexander try. Alexander realized that the horse Bucephalus was afraid of his shadow. He went on to ride that horse for years conquering many states.

Across the street from the Alexander and Bucephalus statue is Mercat Cross. It was an old market and a site for public executions. The monument in the picture was originally wood and transitioned to stone 100 years ago. When it was wood they would nail the ear of a stealer and their hand. After 24 hours they would remove the nail from the hand but the stealer would have to rip their ear free. A damaged ear told everyone that that person was a stealer. At the top of the monument is a patriotic unicorn. The national animal of Scotland is a unicorn because real animals weren't good enough. It represents bravery and freedom. At this square all the announcements would be made such as the birth of a new king. Back in the day it would take three days for the news to get to Edinburgh from London. Announcements are still made at Mercat Cross. Out of respect three days are still let pass before Edinburgh announces. But now everyone already knows the big news immediately because of Facebook and twitter.

Edinburgh tried to call itself the Athens of the North. Their old parliament, which is over 350 years old, sports Greek decor. The city was a thriving spot for philosophy. In the center of Parliament Square is a statue of King Charles the Second on his horse. To save money it was built of lead but they didn't know how soft it was and heavy. Overtime the rider started to fall off his horse and he looked less like a king and more like a drunk guy. Thankfully the city reinforced the statue and he is now riding straight.

The city even tried to build a replica acropolis, on the left. However the city went bankrupt after one wall. 180 years later and its still not finish. It is now a monument to Scottish procrastination.

St Giles Cathedral. It is not a cathedral because it does not have a bishop but they like the name so they keep it. This church is where the queen knights people like Sean Connery who played James Bond. Inside there is an angel playing a bagpipe…how scottish. Also inside is a tiny chair. Jenny Gides was a member of the church in 1627 when the king wrote a new prayer which said you had to talk through the king to talk to god. The congregation got angry so the minister grabbed a loaded gun to keep the peace. But Jenny stood up and threw a stool at him to get his attention and it knocked him unconscious. A riot ensued that spread throughout Scotland. This rebellion forced the king to take back the new prayer book.

David Hume was a great philosopher. People rub the toe of the statue for luck. The toe is now golden shiny because so many people rub it. Maybe it is because the statue sits outside the courthouse.

This building is now the Writing Museum. It is the previous home of many great writers such as Robert Burns. Near this museum is a pub named after Deacon Brodie. In the 1700s he was loved by all in town. But at night he was a womanizer, gambler and drunk. He started the Deacon Brodie Gang who at night would rob houses. During the day Deacon Brodie would visit people at their homes and have coffee. Then he would take imprints of their keys in wax and get copies made. At night he would use the copy to sneak in and rob them. After a bit the town became frustrated so they created a council to catch the robbers. And of course they put the trusted Deacon Brodie in charge…eventually he was betrayed by a friend and hung. Now he has a bar named after him, the highest honor.

In Edinburgh, if it looks like a church its not. If it doesn't look like a church it probably is. This 'church' above is a cafe and festival center. The fringe festival is the largest arts festival in the world held at this church.

Greyfriars Churchyard

John was a member of the city watch. He got himself a ferocious terrier named Bobby for his guard dog. When John passed away the dog lived on his grave for 14 years. Then the city tried to kill the dog because it was a stray. But Lord Chambers adopted him and let him sleep on the grave. The dog was even visited by Queen Victoria and given a key to the city was given to him. Technically that meant he could vote before women could. There is a disney movie after the dog named Greyfriar's Bobby with Christopher Lee.

A school that inspired the look and four houses of Hogwarts.

A grave for the dog Bobby.

A remnant of the Flodden city wall. It is over 500 years old and use to surround the whole city. It was built to protect the city from England who was taking revenge for Scotland trying to invade.

The grave of a Tom Riddle, which gave its name to Voldemort, aka Tom Riddle, in the Harry Potter Series.

The grave of William McGonagall, they say the worst poet ever, also gave a last name to a Harry Potter character.

A picture capturing the beautiful architecture of the city.

Edinburgh Castle

Me and Sidney

Sidney

Panorama from Edinburgh Castle

One of the many cute alleyways in old town.

Sidney and I trying Scottish beer after our tour.

We ate Haggis with Neeps (Turnips) and Tatties (Potatoes) and Stovies and Oatcakes (corned beef, potatoes, and onion hash) at the Halfway House. It is the tiniest pub in Edinburgh that has been in the same location since the 18th century.