This morning we had a problem. Anya and I had bought a ticket online for a bus to take us from Baker Street (nearby) at 8:40 to the Stanstead Airport. (A great option! It takes a little longer, but is very well priced) We had booked the ticket late the night before, and it needed to be printed before we left. But we didn't know how to log in to the computers in the computer lab, and the front desk wouldn't open again until 8:00am. We figured that they could print the ticket for us at 8, and we would have plenty of time. So we waited by the front desk at exactly 8...then 8:05. A couple minutes later, someone arrived. He said that if I emailed him, he could print it. But it was something I needed to go to the website, download, and then print. He was not being helpful, but thankfully, another guy came along and began helping us. We tried the computer lab, but the printer in there wasn't working for some reason. Finally, he just allowed me to use his computer to print from. We finally had our ticket and literally ran out the front door to the nearby tube station (fortunately I was feeling much better that morning!).
Our next obstacle: I had run out of days to use my Oyster card, so I had to top up before going through the the gates. We tried to find a short line somewhere, couldn't, and I ended up just running up to a few girls before they were about to start, told them I was late, and could I just top up? Graciously they said yes, and the three of us were pulling out random change to pay the machine. Then we ran through the station and caught the train. We exited Baker Street, then ran down another street until we found our bus stop at 8:35. There was no bus, and he ended up being a little late, but we certainly got our adrenaline rush in for the morning! Anya and I said goodbye to Joe, and an hour and a half later, arrived at the airport. We were two and a half hours early for our flight (haven't been that early in...years?).
And the Gentleman of the Day Award goes to Joe because he carried (ran actually) my pink backpack across town.
Our next shock came in the form of a hidden fee. I know that certain airlines have been charging extra fees for so many little things, but Anya and I found another one. RyanAir wanted to charge us £15 each just to check in at the airport!! We were about to do it online over our phones, but the front desk man obviously thought the charge was ridiculous too, because he just a did it for us without charging.
Past security, we were too early to have a Gate, so we found a little cafe and had breakfast while waiting. We ended up being a little too comfortable and had to rush to our Gate, but we made it just fine.
Edinburgh welcomed us with cooler weather, a green landscape, welcoming people, and a double decker bus that took us into the city center. We were the first on the bus, so we made ourselves at home on the top level and in the very front row. We had such a great view for the hour drive! We did have to eventually consolidate into one row as the bus filled up, and there was one very friendly Brazilian who was very chatty to anyone who would talk to him, but otherwise, it was a quiet ride.
Edinburgh welcomed us with cooler weather, a green landscape, welcoming people, and a double decker bus that took us into the city center. We were the first on the bus, so we made ourselves at home on the top level and in the very front row. We had such a great view for the hour drive! We did have to eventually consolidate into one row as the bus filled up, and there was one very friendly Brazilian who was very chatty to anyone who would talk to him, but otherwise, it was a quiet ride.
We got off our bus at "the meadows" (a beautiful park) and walked the remaining distance to the Rose's house.
Hope this is the right one!
We arrived in the middle of their granddaughters playing dress-up and giving a show, but we were still given a warm welcome and offered tea and coffee. We accepted the warm beverages and sat for awhile to chat with the Rose's and meet their granddaughters (very beautiful and fun!).
Anya and I were anxious to reacquaint ourselves with the old city again, so we took off and explored.
We walked through Greyfriars Kirkyard (where you can also pay your respects to Greyfriar's Bobby-the dog who supposedly guarded his master's grave for 14 years until he too died) and enjoyed a beautiful view of the old houses climbing up to the castle.
A Stirling relative?? ;)
We walked through many different streets, saw the castle, walked the Royal Mile, passed by Carrubbers, John Knox's grave (in the parking lot) and walked over to Princes Street.
Yum...
Haha...poor Waldo :)
A small street paved with quotes from famous Scottish writers
John Knox's grave
Carrubbers!!
So many different fashion statements going on here...
Since I was still recovering, I was getting tired at this point, so we turned around. We did stop for awhile in a Starbucks to read, but then continued back to the Rose's house. We started winding down for the night, but then stayed up talking when a friend, Sarah, stopped by to say hello. It was a good time of chatting and catching up.
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