Photos: Edinburgh, Scotland Day 1 (Part 1)

So I have another sad story. As if the train fiasco wasn't enough, I got horribly lost leaving the station. D: I ended up walking in the wrong direction for almost 20 minutes. What I learned about Edinburgh in that time is that there are lots of hills, and carrying a heavy bag is not fun. By the time I finally found the place I was supposed to meet the lady to get my key, she was already gone. And so, I was left standing on a street corner in a foreign country, with no phone, and a heavy bag, wondering if I would have to find another place to stay or take the train back to London. D:

I ended up trying to use a pay phone (which ate all my change) to call her, but received no answer. Thank GOD I had my netbook, and there was an internet cafe right across the street. I was able to contact my mum on the other side of the ocean to contact the lady (who had actually emailed her when I never showed up), to tell her I was waiting for her and all the trouble I had had that day.

Turns out, the apartment that I had arranged for was having plumbing problems and had the water shut off. So she had arranged for me to stay in one of her other apartments.

After finally getting settled in, and skyping my mum to tell her I was alive and well. I headed out much later than I had originally hoped, to do some sight-seeing.

Every old looking town has to have a Christmas store. I think it's a law. Seriously.

The scottish parliament buildings were kind of bizarre looking. Weird shaped windows.

And I looked up at those cliffs and said, "Yeah, I could climb that". So I did. XD Those are the Salisbury Crags, which were literally a 10 minute walk from where I was staying.

Lots of little memorials for jumpers. :(

I think the view was totally worth it. I made it to the top just in time for the sunset. At like 9:00 at night or something ridiculous like that. XD

That peak over there is Arthur's Seat, which I climbed in the rain the next day.

No railings. I felt just a little bit frightened looking over the edge...