New Friends and Old Haunts...

Last night I had a lovely dinner with one of my "new" friends. Alison, from Edinburgh!  She brought me the above jar of preserves (which I enjoyed this morning with porridge and "Famous Edinburgh" tea). Couldn't have a better start to a morning...unless I was actually in Edinburgh, of course!

We actually met via the internet pretty much a year ago to the day, now that I think of it.  She co-runs Edinburgh Spotlight and had found my blog while I was last in Edinburgh gushing, I mean blogging, about all my experiences.  Since then we have stayed in touch via e-mail, Twitter and Facebook...and I even wrote an article for her website! It's amazing how small the internet can make the world.

We met up at one of my all time favorite places, La Lanterna, in Greenwich Village. I hadn't been there in a while and thought, what better place!?

It was possibly the first café I visited in New York City way back when I was around 10 years old. My parents and I had come in to visit my Sister while she was attending The Fashion Institute of Technology and she took us there (on Halloween!) I followed and graduated from FIT with a degree in Advertising Design 11 years later. I have introduced many a happy customer to La Lanterna since.  The panini and pumpkin cognac cheesecake make my day every time. I did not get my "usual" dessert wine with biscotti...opting for spiced hot apple cider instead. It totally hit the spot though.

I've been revisiting a lot of my old haunts lately, under new circumstances and not intentionally. It's sort of weird and interesting to view these places from where I am now. I have been surprised to find out that I don't really have an attachment to them.  It's almost as if I'm seeing them through new eyes...like I'm a different person.  I suppose I am.

Last weekend I walked the same route I used to take to visit my Sister in Murray Hill ( I was new to the city as a college freshman). It seemed like a different city.  I once lived on that side of town as well and it was as if I'd never been there. This time I was on my way to meet friends for our trip to Sleepy Hollow...and they are friends I didn't have way back when.

Last night, was La Lanterna.  I went through a stretch in college when I went almost every weekend...and then at least every month or so with friends.  I am no longer in touch with any of those people. The café has changed a lot over the years and I barely looked around while I was there last night. I was more interested in the dinner conversation and luxuriating in my friend's accent.  I miss that sound! On the way to the subway I pointed out "Bleeker Bob's Records"...a place I went when new to the city, as well as the shady looking store next door called "The Best Back Rub...for women and men."  Hilarious.

Next thing I know I'll be directed to FIT, Gramercy Park or Hell's Kitchen.  All places I used to spend my time.  Not sure what it all means...but it's interesting.

XO

*The minute I posted this...I got an e-mail from FIT.  Weird!

Thursday in Edinburgh: Part 3

As soon as I finished posting "Thursday in Edinburgh: Part 2" I began "Part 3" of my day. (and please forgive the myriad of fonts I have going on here...I have no idea how I managed that).

I walked over to The Grassmarket to meet my friends at a cafe called, "The Lot." It was really nice and chill, and my friends were knitting! So I settled in with a very large bottle of Williams Black Ale...and a snack of olives. It was delicious!

After some wonderful conversation we headed for the bus and down to a bar and cafe called "Roseleaf."

I love this place! I was amusing my friend Christina because everything about it filled me with glee...from the home made Ginger Beer cocktail served in teapot and teacups...to the discovery of cake forks! I'd never seen such a thing! Needless to say the food blogger in me took over and my camera was out (if I looked like a silly tourist so be it!)

Ginger Beer w/Rum

Cullen Skink

Cake Fork!

Apple Cupcake

It was a wonderful penultimate day and evening in Edinburgh. Now, as I write this, it's Friday night and I'm extremely sad to be leaving early in the morning. My only consolation is that I know I'll be back...there's really no question about that because I love it too much.

Today we traveled over to The Sheep Heid Inn for lunch. I had wanted to go last visit but never made it. The Sheep Heid is the oldest Public House in Scotland (according to "The Local's Guide to Edinburgh"). It's very cozy and laid back. We enjoyed some beer and sausages and mustard mash with red wine gravy, then went down to the bar area for some tea. At one point a woman came in with her adorable West Highland Terrier and I was just delighted.

The Sheep Heid

After tea we walked back around and over the Arthur's Seat area...so I got to spend a few more moments out there which I cherish :)

I'm about to head back out to the cash machine and market for dinner fixings. I'm quite excited over cooking something while here...now...what to make???

I'll report back, of course.

XO

Thursday in Edinburgh: Part 2

So...I found myself walking around the hills all afternoon...meditating on an obliging rock...almost falling down the side of the mountain...like you do... :)

My trousers (I am in Britain, after all) are filthy. Mud has joined the salt water stains left from my "Swims" on Iona. They look gorgeous ;)

I found a real sense of bliss up there...and I noticed how everyone seems to stand on the edges and spread their arms out wide...welcoming the world. I did this too, along with running down paths furiously clicking away with my camera. I find, however, that there is no way for me to accurately show you all just how breath-takingly beautiful it is here. But I'll keep trying :) Every time I turn around, gorgeousness hits me in the face and I keep exclaiming, "Come On!!! It can't be real!"

Oh...but it is...

They keep following me!

My meditation rock of choice for the day



At the Top


Leaving my mark :) (The Lion was already there...)

XO

Now...I'm off for a pint. Knitting was canceled. I"ll just have to make the best of it ;)

Thursday in Edinburgh: Part 1

I spent yesterday moving my stuff across town and getting resituated. Once settled, I had a wonderful catch-up with my friend Christina and, later, a lovely dinner with friends. I couldn't have asked for more in one day.

Today I'm feeling the end of my trip looming and it's a bit sad. So if anyone has any ideas for me to stay on or come back as soon as possible, I'm all ears! :)

Right now I'm sitting in a cafe on The Royal mile...eating a full Scottish breakfast and writing on my laptop. How fun! I've never done the Internet Cafe thing...it's lovely. If I wanted to, I could just keep writing and order up a beer. I see a tap for "Bellhaven Best" over to my left...it's very temping. Would that be weird right after breakfast? It's 12:30, after all...

After I finish up here, I plan on finishing up my souvenir shopping and maybe another walk around Arthur's Seat since I'll have to say goodbye again for a bit.

I'm very excited to say that I'll be meeting up with Christina later for a knitting group on Victoria Street! I've had to miss out on my knitting group the past two weeks, so that will be really nice. I've left my knitting at home but I might be able to make the sacrifice and get some new supplies...although I'm not sure where I'll pack them for the trip home.

Happy Thursday everyone!
XO

Tuesday in Edinburgh

Hee Hee :)

I'm not sure why, but I love photographing cemeteries. This time...Old Calton Cemetery:





Today's Meditation Station: Calton Hill:

More rainbows!

And to finish off the day:

Steak & Guinness Pie @ The Toll Booth Tavern

Half Pint, Caledonian 80

XO

Playing "Catch Up" in Photos...

Sunday morning...leaving my hotel:



Encouragement just when it's needed:



Holyrood Park in the rain:



Walking down the Royal Mile on Monday:



View of Calton Hill...gorgeous as ever:



The spot I perched for some meditation time...before the wind nudged me back down the hill:



Clarinda's Tea Room for lunch:

Toastie!

My Mom would LOVE this place

Walking home in the evening:



XO

Samhuinn in Edinburgh

I returned to Edinburgh, yesterday, just in time for dinner and the Samhuinn Fire Festival, put on by the Beltane Society, down the Royal Mile.

It was really fun, despite my exhaustion from travelling from Iona early in the morning (I'm still processing my time there so stay tuned for more. It really deserves the proper attention).

After checking into my hotel, I made my way back into town and had a pint of Tennants with a steak & ale pie at The World's End...where there was a "Jack Sparrow" waiting on tables! (*Note to all Americans: we get cheated in the pint department back at home. If you want a true pint, come to Britain. ;) Then I made my way up The Royal Mile to the Castle Esplanade, where the procession was to begin.

The Witchery

I wasn't sure what to expect but was up for anything! Then I saw a group of caped figures walking with torches, their faces painted black...some with gold or white designs...and others carrying hand painted banners hung on tree branches.

At 9:00 o'clock one of the black-clad torch bearers started to swing an incense burner around...the sweet smell filling my senses before I saw the fire, and then I spotted "The Green Man" making his way up to the top of the hill. He was followed by music makers, devils, forest dwellers...a whole gang of pagan mischief makers.







XO