Edinburgh

Last week was hectic, to say the least.  We finally moved out of corporate housing and into our permanent home.  After several panic-driven phone calls, we finally got confirmation that gas and electricity is set up (there is no sense of urgency for ANYTHING here).  Also, we were able to get cable and internet set up within a week after our request for service (I heard it 3-4 WEEKS, geez!).

The day our furniture arrived, I felt like a kid on Christmas.  I can't believe our one bedroom apartment produced 89 boxes (including big furniture items).  I swear, when we move back all I want to take is our bed and clothes! Having said that, I still don't regret making the decision to ship our stuff over here.  The feeling of sitting on your own couch, bed, and using your own plates and cups while living in a foreign city is priceless.  We still have a few boxes left to unpack and minus a few pieces of broken furniture, its starting to feel like home.

After an emotionally charged week, we headed to Edinburgh (pronounced "Edinburough").  Two and half hours and a few hands of cards later, we (Ram, Luca and I) arrived in the lovely city.  It's a big city, unlike Aberdeen, and its full of culture and sites and not to mention tons of shopping:) (Got my Anthro fix:)) We kicked off our first night at "The Elephant House," the place where J.K. Rowling found inspiration for the Harry Potter books.  Its a small cafe but just outside the window you can see the Edinburgh Castle.  I'm still not used to seeing castles everywhere...

The next morning we walked up Calton Hill.  The top of the Hill has panoramic views of the city and is also the home of The National Monument.  The National Monument is an unfinished national memorial to honor the Scottish soldiers who lost their lives during the Napoleonic Wars.  It's modeled upon the Parthenon in Athens, Greece.  The views from the Hill top were breathtaking.  Our pictures don't even come close to capturing what we saw.  But we had fun with the photo shoot;)

After working up an appetite walking up and down the Hill, I took Ram to Castle Terrace for lunch.  It's Michelin rated (and the first one we've tried since we moved) so I'm glad I added it to Ram's list.  We ordered their fixed 3 course lunch along with the wine pairings.  It was there, during the main course that Ram slipped me his tongue...an Ox's tongue that is! I had no idea that was part of his dish- he tricked me! It was tasty but I don't think I'll be ordering that anytime soon but at least I can say that I've tried it.

Though lunch was quite satisfying, I really wanted to experience high tea.  So we went to the Sheraton in One Square.  I was so impressed with the tea selection and how they make your tea (I want one of their fancy steepers).  We were also given a timer that lets you know when your tea is ready to drink.  Of course, you can't have high tea without all the yummy finger sandwiches, scones, and desserts. All in all a great trip! I can't wait to go back there in December to watch Dirty Dancing, the Musical!