Finding Family in Edinburgh

It is so very sad - school is coming to an end - but that means crunch time: exams are in just two weeks, research papers are due after this weekend, and the library is now becoming the new late night place to hang out - even celebs like Martin Sheen have been spotted here.

However that didn't stop me from putting away my books for the weekend to go travel once more! So last weekend I took a short plane trip (and cheap - only 6 euros total!) to Scotland. I traveled with my friend Bianca, and another fella named Patrick, whom I honestly didn't even really know until we met up to catch the flight together!

The three of us started our adventure when we arrived in Edinburgh (safely this time! no close-crash incidents!) late on Saturday night. We checked into our hostel - which we discovered was a 38 mixed bedroom dorm - aka a giant room with a bunch of beds. Not wanting to really spend much time there, we quickly put our stuff away and went out on the town. We ended up on the grassmarket street, which is lined with pubs, nightclubs and lively atmosphere. Our first drink was at a place called the Three Sisters (which reminded me of my sisters! ahh!) - and despite the negative degree weather, there were people outside barbecuing and having drinks! From then on we hopped from bar to bar, usually ending up in the places that offered free shooters or free entrance! Finally we made our way back to our lovely room to have a good nights sleep - along with the other 30 plus people.

After a somewhat restless sleep (one of those 38 people decided it would be an excellent idea to play Counting Crows songs on the piano....) we got up early to start our 'culture' day. We walked all around the Royal Mile street from the parliament house, all the way up to the castle. On our way we encountered many fun people and things. We took photos with Scotsman dressed in their full attire, sampled fudge, learned all about whiskey (which we all discovered is a drink we don't really prefer), and took amazing photos of the enormous castle on the hill. Finally we ended up for dinner at a place called SNAX - where we got some amazing grilled paninis and chips - for cheap too! We walked everywhere and saw so much! It was a great and exhausting day!

So then we found a new hostel to stay in (the other one just wasn't quite our style!) - and this time it was with just 14 people - they were all americans who were also studying in Ireland (Cork) as well, so we got along with them quite well. We decided to just go out for a movie night, and saw The Departed - a movie coincidentally about Irish gangs in Boston. Martin Sheen was in it! He died though - but next time I see him I'll have to congratulate him on an impressive death scene, even if it was just him falling off a building...(sorry to ruin it for those who haven't seen it!)

So on our way home, Patrick could not stop singing 'we are family' song - over and over. Before we knew it, Bianca and I caught on and we were all singing together! For the rest of the weekend, this became our theme song and at any moment if any would start the song, we would all join in! We started our own little family for the weekend!

The next day however, our family grew! We were joined by our three friends Judith (not my roommate Judith, but another one!), Robert, and Florian (aka Flo). They had been in Glasgow and the highlands earlier that week (they didn't see Nessy however...). But before we met up with them, our little family explored the oceanside and took a tour of the Brittania (the royal ship) and also went to the Museum of Modern Art (which was surprisingly one of my favorite things - really interesting!). It wasn't until about 5 until we met up with the others, so we had an early dinner at SNAX (I love this place) and I even got to try some HAGGIS (minced meat cooked inside a lambs stomach) for free! It was ok...An old Scottish man next to me told me its made from a three-legged bird, and right now since its hunting season for them, its the best time to have some...;) lets just say I got my moneys worth!

That night we were lucky to discover that we had the entire room to ourselves! We also discovered that the next day was Patricks birthday! So of course we celebrated, and at midnight we sang happy birthday as loud as we could in the bar! And of course followed by 'we are family...'

We had to leave the next day sadly, but before we left I was determined to climb to a place called Arthurs Seat, which was just the top of a hill. However, we all decided to hike up together. It started out a bit cold and rainy, but in the end the sun cleared up just as we made it to the top! We had an incredible 360 degree view of the city and beyond! Absolutely beautiful! It was a great way to end the trip, and boosted our moods for heading back to Ireland.

Just before we left however, we retired into a Starbucks - the first one I have been to since Berlin!! It was quite an amazing starbucks - with giant windows facing the castle. So I sat and slowly enjoyed my tall soy latte while staring out towards Edinburgh city. Oh and of course - we stopped one more time at SNAX to grab a bite to eat!

When we arrived back in the Airport, Judith Robert and Flo all got a bus ride back early, while Bianca, Patrick and I had to wait for our busline (we bought tickets already for a different bus line) - so our little family was re-united once more! We of course sang our little song again while waiting for the bus! We were a crazy family for sure - but also a fun one!

So now back in Galway, I have just one more month left before heading back home! Time has truly flown by, but I am enjoying every minute of it! The people I have met here have been just incredible, and I think I will be mostly sad to leave them. But its good to know that no matter what: 'We are family!!!'

xoxoxo

my family: Judith, Robert, flu, Patrick and Bianca (and of course me in the middle - where else would I put myself huh?!)