This Is An Old City.

Hello! 

Lets see. Yesterday on Thursday I decided to walk up to Princes Street to go to the "good" mall in the center of Edinburgh.  So I left home at around 4pm and started walking up Leith to the mall.  It was a lovely walk, the only thing though was the ridiculous amount of extra walking you have to do to get around these two roundabouts in the middle of the walk up Leith. Anyway I walked my nice fast pace and got to the mall 10 minutes less than the approx. time it takes to get there which was great and I headed into my kryptonite dream world - a shopping center.  I walked into the first shop which almost the entire shop was 50% off and most things were 5 pounds.  I calmly strolled through, picked up a few things but ended up placing them back. It was nice to see what kind of fashion is the norm over here though and all the girls walking around definitely had a distinct style.  It's not heavy into the leggings and a nice top like in Vancouver, these girls have got mega accessories and handbags and hats and everything.  I felt like a frumpy old lady next to them but the inspiration was exciting enough to deter me from self-loathing.  So I kept going and found the store which I have been stalking online for a couple weeks - New Look.  It was well-lighted, spacious, and messy goodness and I'm sure I spent at least an hour, if not more browsing which I never do. It was great because I found somethings that were work appropriate.  I kept looking through stores and then I stopped by the St. James shopping center, then I walked home in the dark.  It was not very surprising that my idea of it being scary to be out at night was dashed right away as there were many people walking around, and everything was pretty much well lit. Once I got home, Kurtis had just come home about 10 minutes before so we decided to make some dhal and rice for dinner.  He always puts too many vegetables in everything which is kind of a running joke and he did so yet again but it was delicious! Just lots of leftovers for tomorrow which is always good.  So we hung out and ate dinner together, then we each did our language learning programs - he did Italian because Erin and him are leaving me the first weekend in February to go to Rome with two other couples, and I worked on my Japanese.  Afterwards Erin came home and we hung out before heading off to bed... at least they did.  For some reason I was up until 4am this morning tossing and turning and then eventually going on my computer.  I realize now I could have skyped because it was normal time for you Vancouverites, but I was in no shape to be skyping at that hour.  

I ended up getting up at 10am this morning and Erin left a little after to meet some friends for coffee.  She came back to the flat with her two friends, Jackie and Iya, who are both from America.  Americans... but these girls were lovely :)  Erin and I had planned on walking up the Royal mile to go to literally about 15 charity shops that line the Royal mile so her two friends came along for half of the mile and we chit chatted about life in Edinburgh and things of the like. Once they left, Erin and I hit up the charity shops, and we found this great over-sized sweater which we decided we'd share... so, it kind of justifies spending money we don't have.  Anyway I've got a heap of pictures to share but I'm no photographer and a really bad tourist so most of them are taken while I was briskly walking - hey, it's cold over here.

Building at the start of our walk, up on London Road.

The Regent on Easter Road and London Road.

Walking picture!

Almost at the start of the Royal Mile

So close...

Woo! Even closer.

Tada! This is a Parliament Building at the beginning of the mile.  

Also, look at that adorable little car.

Erin's side face! And the Parliament Building.

Pegasus Sound and Light - DJ equipment. I want a mix table so badly.

Old-timey building

More cool looking structures.

A Lounge Bar.

This was a school.

Hmm. Maybe another day.

LOOK AT THOSE TIGHTS! Wooza, that's a lot of tartan.

A beautiful red door among such lifeless shades.

The ladies. Mostly I took this picture for the sweet clock above jutting off that building.

The shops

Oh yes, the first of many Whisky shops.

A look up the Royal Mile.

Partial castle pillar.

The double bus!

Just a gander at how busy and cramped the roads are.

One of the many "Real Scot Shop" shops.  Kilts and shortbread and tartan everything.

Bank Hotel and huge stone architecture.

Beautiful!

One of the charity shops!

More castles!

I'm just in awe of the massive buildings there are everywhere. 

I think of how much they've been through.

This is quite long this mile...

Convenience store, complete with cut price wines and spirits.

More breathtaking buildings.

This was a pretty cool looking shop

Reminded me a bit of Argentina's buildings in Buenos Aires.

So uniform along the top and so snug together.

Well, there it is! I wonder if they've got drinks we don't have in Vancouver.

The beginning of our walk towards the castle.

TELEPHONE BOOTHS.  

The St. Giles' Cathedral was without a doubt the most stunning and breathtaking part of the whole walk.

Look at the intricate men carved into the facade of the building.

Amazing.

The arch at the entrance.

These are the doors into St. Giles' Cathedral. No pictures inside without a permit.

BUT I'M A REBEL! I snapped this quickly because it was a memorial to James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose. It was carved of stone and it is his actual tomb. I'll buy a permit next time, it's not expensive, and I'll take some proper photos.

The whole St. Gile's Cathedral.  Some dumbo parked his car right in front.  And these tourists wanted to be in the picture too I guess.

Cute vivid blue box.

I was so lucky to get this shot without a car in it.

Moving towards the castle.

Looking over Edinburgh.

More looking over Edinburgh.

So serene - on the other side there was the water but I didn't get a chance to take a shot cause my stupid camera died.

Last dying shot my camera took - Edinburgh castle!

We didn't go inside because we were pretty warn, and Erin had to get back so her and Kurtis could go out for dinner with some friends. So visited Kurtis in his office then headed home and made some delicious quesadillas. Then we found out that we got the flat we wanted but they aren't allowed to sublet it to anyone or have anyone else living with them... so what the heck.  Kurtis emailed the landlord about it... but for now it's the waiting game but I would feel so terrible if we don't get it because of me.  

So hope all is well with you back on the west-side and it's about time to pack it in over here.

Love.