Edinburgh Family Weekend

            Last weekend my sister and dad came to visit me in Edinburgh. After moving Lauren into LSE, they took a quick trip up north to visit me as well as my dad’s friend. Not only was I greeted by my family, but also one of my friend’s from University. Julie is studying abroad in Paris and popped up to Scotland for the weekend. In just a few days we explored Edinburgh and had a chance to reminisce on memories back home in the states.

            Over the course of the weekend, I took Julie down to Cowgate to get a true experience of the Edinburgh bar and pub scene. I introduced her to my friends from Edinburgh as well as meeting some native Scottish lads. On Saturday, we met up with my sister, dad and my dad’s friend for a lovely tour of the castle. My dad’s friend is rather old and has lived in Scotland his whole life. I loved hearing his perspective on Scottish history.

Edinburgh Castle! The castle is perched on a hill overlooking the city. The view is quite profound from all parts of Edinburgh and only intensifies as we climb up to it.

My sister, dad and I at the top of the castle. In the background
you can see both the city of Edinburgh and Arthur's Seat!

Julie, Lauren and I holding a famous sword at one of the
 museums in the Castle Quarters. I really loved learning more
 about the history of Scotland and the city I am studying in.

           I really enjoy having visitors because it is truly a chance to explore Edinburgh amid a busy school schedule and traveling. All of my visitors welcome a weekend of adventures in Scotland. This weekend proved to be the perfect chance to see the castle. I really enjoyed the winding cobblestone streets and stone buildings that progress to the hilltop of the Castle. As we climbed the fortress each stone building was protected by winding walls and stone carved knights and swords. The higher we climbed, the more amazing the views were. Amid the varying castle constructs, we explored the museums- each offering a new onset to Scottish history. After absorbing all the different components of the castle I could really imagine life in medieval Scotland. One would look out the castle, peer onto the city of Edinburgh and the cascading hills and be back in the 13^th and 14^th century. That is something I have really come to appreciate in this city. Edinburgh’s rich history survives in castles, shops and street squares as a reminder for a very eventful past. We continued one of Edinburgh's sweet cafes, The Elephant House for a nice cup of coffee. Julie and I actually went here earlier in the day for breakfast. We split the traditional Scottish breakfast, which of course, included Haggis. This was my first taste of Haggis as well, and something I think intrigued both our taste buds. The taste was definitely unique, but nevertheless worth a try. On our second trip back to the cafe, we planned the rest of our adventures for the day which were sure to be exciting, which The Elephant House, would include some Harry Potter stops.

Julie and I in front of Tom Riddell's gravesite at Greyfriar's
 Graveyard. The Elephant House looks out onto Greyfriar's Graveyard.
I could see how J.K. Rowling would have transformed so many
elements of Edinburgh into the inspiration for the Harry Potter novels.

Julie and I both have a fascination with Harry Potter. Being that J.K. Rowling wrote the Harry Potter books in Edinburgh, and rather the first novel in The Elephant House, I wanted to make sure we saw some of the iconic Harry Potter stops on her visit. We went to Greyfriar’s Graveyard, where to see the gravesite that inspired two prominent Harry Potter characters, Tom Riddell and Professor McGonagall. Additionally, we climbed the winding street of Grassmarket and into AHAHA! This street is thought to be the inspiration for Diagon Alley in Harry Potter. The store, AHAHA! is supposedly the basis for The Weasley’s joke store. Both Julie and I enjoyed visiting the sites that inspired J.K. Rowling to write the Harry Potter series. Edinburgh is a city full of history and magical exploration, from which I can see inspiring so many writers to produce amazing literary works.

          

The amazing views of Edinburgh on top of Arthur's Seat. The tops of city buildings, rolling hills and sea unite in some of the most amazing views I have ever laid eyes on.

Lauren and I walking down Arthur's Seat back towards the city center. Amid the shining sun and the fresh air we shared stories of life abroad and memories form home.

Lauren and I on top of Arthur's Seat. The greenery of the
hills and the blues of the sea were breathtaking.

Loads of fun in the hat shop. We even bought a few fun hats
and headpieces. Perfect for a cold day in Scotland!

            On top of all the sights, it was really nice to simply be surrounded by my family and friends. I have been so fortunate to meet so many amazing and adventurous people abroad, but it always so warming to see those closest to me. The trip did not end after exploring Scottish royalty though. Lauren, Julie and I hiked Arthur’s Seat while my dad and his friend enjoyed a cup of tea back at his house. Having done the hike before, I was once again beset by the similar awestruck expression on Julie and Lauren's faces. It was a little windy at the top, but otherwise a perfectly sunny day to accompany a hike up the mountains and a stroll through the hills. We also explored the many wonderful coffee shops, boutiques and restaurants tucked away in Edinburgh.  We went a little crazy in the hat shop- but when in Edinburgh, bundle up!

Later, Julie and I went on a ghost tour of Edinburgh. On this tour you learn about the historical significance and mystifying stories that make up much of Old Town in Edinburgh. We also walked down a winding staircase on South Bridge to visit the underground vaults in which people lived during the medieval period. I went on this tour with my friends from Scotland a couple weeks back and we enjoyed its mythical exploration of Scottish history so much that it seemed the perfect way for me to show Julie what Edinburgh was all about. Afterwards, we finished the night at a pub. We met up with a friend of mine who also had a visiting friend with him and enjoyed a night of out on the town. We made our way to the winding and hilltop street of Grassmarket and eventually into Finnegan’s Bar. The bar plays live music and is always full of people dancing and singing along. There we had a ball and met people visiting from Ireland for the Ryder Cup. Together, we danced and they showed us some traditional Irish dance moves. I don’t think I ever saw them not carrying a tune and dancing along and always linking arms with us to join in. Even better, they were from Dublin and as my friend’s and I will be traveling to Dublin for Halloween, it was a great opportunity to learn more about the city and the local places on our own travels to Ireland. After quite the eventful night, we all headed home. Much Irish step dancing later, it was time for bed.

Julie and I by Grassmarket Street. We poked into many shops and stores.

It was really wonderful to spend a weekend with so many friends and family. Rather, it was almost hard to say goodbye. Julie and I will cross paths a couple more times on our abroad journeys this semester.  In fact, next weekend I will be visiting her in Paris and we will also be seeing our other friends in Zeta who are abroad this semester. Our worldly excursions seem to be the perfect way to unite us all together in the spirit of adventure. With my family, it is always especially hard to say goodbye. My dad is never far and only a FaceTime call away. Possibly even a trip back across the pond with my mom over Thanksgiving break. Lauren is however, not so geographically far away at all. She is only a train ride away in London and one I will be hopping on in two short weekends. Spending some time with my sister in London will be a wonderful trip and one that reminds us of where our abroad journeys all began. Two years ago, my mom and I traveled to London to settle Lauren into a summer studying at LSE and I followed a year after. Now, this fall, we find ourselves living in The United Kingdom and onto new explorations of life abroad. I cannot wait for all the memories to unfold once again with my sister in London. Maybe, she will even come back to Edinburgh soon again. Having part of my family visit always makes me miss the rest of my family. My mom, my dad, my sisters, my brother and my adorable little pups. Thanks to modern technology, they will never be too far away. I can almost hear my pups bark on FaceTime now and my curiosity as to if they can really recognize my face and voice appearing on the iPad. Nothing is as sweet, though, as our time all together. That is when the real fun starts. That, we will save for a hopefully white Christmas back in Boston.

Lauren and I enjoying an amazing view of Edinburgh. It really reminded me of fall from the crisp air to the changing colors of the leaves.

There is much more exploration to do and sights to see. From my studies at University, adventures in Edinburgh and excursions abroad, time will certainly fly. But that is only the case because each venture is filled with the promise of joy. Tasting so many new spices of life is the element of adventure abroad. Meeting people from all walks of life and reuniting with family and friends enriches each experience into new folds of flavor. It is this firsthand experience of life that inspires me to keep learning and evolving everyday. My time abroad motivates me to see the world and the power of expanding my mind in the possibilities that lie ahead. I know my future these next few months in Europe is an adventurous and bright one. I will keep on diving in.