Edinburgh has that gorggy-I-went-to-bed-late-and-now-I-have-to-get-up-early sort of feel to it. After keeping up with the heavy influx of tourists, congested side walks, busy shops, and fully booked B&B's during the warmer months (which were the months before I arrived) it has had these few weeks of semi-slumber, and is now stretching, yawning, preparing for a new day - preparing for the festivities of the holiday season and more specifically for Hogmany, the week leading up to the new year, apparently quite a celebration here - one of the world's top street parties complete with half a million bodies and fire works back dropped against the castle.
I attempted a picnic on my favorite bench the other day by the Scott monument but my way was blocked and the benches moved because they were setting up tilt-a-whirls and ferris wheels.
There were guys climbing trees by the castle with ropes and harnesses and I was like, "Sweet! I didn't know you were allowed to rappel from the castle trees!" And I recollected, with great happiness and nostalgia, adventures of just that sort with my good mate in Houghton a couple years back. Then, just before I swung my leg up to the first branch, I realized they were setting up Christmas lights for the queen and that's probably why that barrier was there that I had ignored and walked around and I'm sure I'd get along just fine with the queen, but maybe I shouldn't climb her trees without asking first, so I continued on my way.
Still working hard boxing and unboxing, shelving and tagging and not wearing Scotland-made women's clothing. Also working as often as I may, and enjoying more and more each time, at the hostel reception desk. If you want a picture of what that's like take the picture that ocmes in your head when you think of the reception desk at a regular hotel and throw it far far away, then add any flavour of upbeat, quick tempo-ed, smooth lyric-ed music, add the fluster and bustle of a college dormitory, juggle five or six different accents and a good dose of poorly spoken english, a youth camp snack bar, plus a tour booking service, plus an information centre, plus costume party, plus internet cafe, plus a steady vibe of creativity, personality, and enthusiasm -- now you've got an idea. Super fun.
Leaving Edinburgh for the first time since I arrived (I've been nowhere my own two feet haven't walked me to in the past three and half weeks) this very eve. Back on Sunday. In between - a happy boy enjoying a few moments' company with a pretty girl.
In regards to peanut butter - I'm learning to be content in all circumstances. And I bought some generic Nutella to help with that.
I don't know that generic will do the trick mate. You need the real deal! I know it can be steep, but it's well worth it ;-)
ReplyDeleteI love the way you described the tree-climbing escapade and the hostel reception desk. I've seen a few of those desks in my day and you did a fine job making it come alive for us.