Kilt it
Belfast Week 10
Good Morning, Scotland!
The day started off with a bus ride to the Belfast International Airport. I pass through security, settle down in a coffee shop and start to catch up on some work. My gate is supposed to be projected in 5 minuets when I hear the announcement that my flight is delayed, ah dang it! Oh well, more time to blog J After another hour I check the board and realize it has been delayed another hour, aww come on...I just want to get to Scotland! The anticipation is killing me. Finally, I get on my flight and off we go; Scotland, here I come.
Casey, a member of Saint Vincent Her Campus, is planning to meet me here. As some of you may know, Saint Vincent has a very small study abroad program, there are only about 11 of us, in the entire school, studying abroad this semester. She has been studying abroad in England. Though we didn't know each other that well, we decide that it would be nice to see a place so close to both of us and get a little taste of SVC while abroad!!
After taking a tram from the airport, I get dropped on Princes street and make my way through the cute city of Edinburgh to find our hostel. Okay, cutest hostel ever. We are staying in a castle themed hostel that has a wonderful view of the Edinburgh Castle. Casey arrives and we head up to our room. We are staying in a shared bedroom with 12 girls, 6 sets of bunk beds. A little nervous about our living accommodations, we decide the best way settle the nerves by starting our adventure around the city.
The city is ADORABLE! Bag pipers on every corner. Everywhere you walk there is the faint sound of the bag pipes, so cool. We walk the Royal Mile and up Victoria Street to get the lay of the land. We get dinner in a cute restaurant and decide it's time to hit the bar. Casey's professor, from Scotland, recommended a place called Tiger Lilly; why not try that?!
Strolling over to the local recommendation, we see Princes street and get to see a bit more of the city. Tiger Lilly is probably the classiest, prettiest, most Hannah-like place I've ever been in my entire life. Pink carnations all around, granite counter tops, perfect playlist and high top tables with people in suits and dresses. Woah, who knew Edinburgh was so classy?! I get a frosé and we enjoy getting to know each other.
Day 2 begins with a walk over to Arthur's Seat. We had no idea it was a legitimate hike; yeah, we were NOT prepared. These SVC gals make it about ¾ of the way to the top and stop for some good pictures. We head back to the Castle to walk around and see some other pretty views. Casey and I split up and she tours the Edinburgh Dungeons, but as we know I am not about scary stuff so, instead, I grab a cup of tea and meander through the grass markets. The grass markets, are in fact, not on grass haha. They are a bunch of local vendors selling their goods in pop up tents. I enjoyed my afternoon people watching and taking in the beautiful views Scotland has to offer. Casey and I meet up for lunch but then split off again so she can take a haunted tour.
I walk over to meet her after the haunted tour and plop myself on the stoop of an old church. As I am sitting there a hearse pulls up. The driver looks at me then quickly looks away and drives off. Slightly spooked, I decide I'll walk around the city while I wait for Casey's arrival. Thankfully, she arrives and we make our move to another recommendation called Panda & Sons.
Panda & Sons is a hidden speakeasy (that might be a bit redundant lol). The outside of the pub looks like a barber shop but once you walk down the stairs it's a fun little bar! We have a couple drinks to celebrate our last night in Edinburgh.
Looks like we saved the best for last. Day 3 we wake up early and walk to Dean Village. This place is so peaceful! On our walk, we meet a dog friend who photobombs our pictures but we love it! To finish the weekend off, we grab a cup of coffee and head on our respective forms of transportation.
Edinburgh, you exceeded my expectations!
Next stop Belfast, Northern Ireland!!
Until then,
PQTH,
HAN
