Secondly, I was slightly stressed because I wanted this to be an amazing trip for my sister and her friend but I am - well - lets say "directionally challenged" Maps and I have never gotten all that along. Our First day we settled into our hostel before going out and exploring, because of the strict liquor laws in the UK most hostels in the center wouldn't allow under 18's stay in their dorms so we were located a little less central than I would have liked but it wasn't that bad. We arrived pretty late and ironically the only thing that was open as 2am was - a Mcdonalds. I shame ate a whopper and fries. Who am I? I don't eat McD's. Period. I am not going to lie, I did some experimentation in college but who doesn't in college.
Anyway our room had six beds and fortunately no one was in our room with us so we got to take over the whole room. It looked like our bags projectile vomited all over the room. It was a sight, let me tell you. The next day we got up early and went on the free walking tour which was just as fantastic as I remember. Such cool things, there was so many fun stories the story of Maggie Dickerson, or the story of Burke and Hare (this one is crazy they turned one of those guy's skin into a book!) and other fantastic stories about the city. The tour guides are dynamic and mine was very witty! Honestly it was my third time on the same tour and I still liked it! if you are ever in Scotland you should check this Tour company out. The guides work off of commission so you can tip them at the end, which I always do. Then at the end of the tour our guide took anyone who wanted a good lunch to a pub. I ordered Haggis and a nip of whiskey. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be! The whiskey was quiet and experience, I loved the way it smelled but dear god, it cleared my sinuses up reallll quick. That stuff is strong. Two things I can say I tried, but I am in noooo rush to get some more.
After lunch we did our own thing, walked around rested in the hostel and got a little dinner. Then we went on the haunted tour later that night. It was crazy. Again, wild stories of ghosts, murders and superstitions. I loved the dynamic of the stories and being where these events actually happened.
The first thing I saw that day was a Costa Coffee, now I am not going to lie, I was in the UK for six days and I think I drank at least 8 extra large Pumpkin Soy Latte's. And they were glorious. For Italy, being of the Lactose intolerant variety is a little rough. I tried to explain once that I was allergic to dairy, and after 10 minutes of arguing, the Italian man said that that was fine he would just put a pesto on my pizza(primary ingredient is parmigiana, basil and pine nuts). *facepalm* It wasn't just him though, this whole country doesn't believe in warning labels or "this may contain" information. And in general is not friendly to the dairy-impaired. So when I saw that Costa Coffee and nearly fainted- good coffee with people who know what soy milk is (and hopefully don't just think I am being a tool and ordering soy milk for S&G). Most of my expenditures were on coffee. And I was really Ok with that.
We saw cool open markets, and I bought a tiny silver thistle as my "bead" from a different country (I have been buying one bead from every place instead of a coffee mug or tshirt as I have way too many of both). Again as we got ready to leave I got one last Costa before we got on the plane, although I didn't really think about this one as I got it before we passed through security. They told me, even though they watched me buy it, that I couldn't get through, so as I was not about to a) miss my plane or b) throw away what was essentially a $8 cup of coffee (the British pound sucks btw) I sat in front of the security check point chugging steaming hot pumpkin coffee. I pounded it down, and then made my way through, you could hear all the coffee sloshing around in my stomach. I very much dislike it when people tell me what I can or can't do, and those security guards were just not pleasant. Remind me later to tell you about the time I nearly had a throw down in a grocery store with an Italian business man because he thought my pudding cup was funny.... Actually, that's basically the whole story. Only he thought I didn't know Italian, what now boyyyy. What made that whole thing funnier was that it is my favorite grocery store and the cashier and I say hi to eachother all the time so he knew. Seriously, nothing makes me laugh harder than when Italians think they are being sly and that I don't know what they are saying about me.... In front of me.
Annnnnyway, we got to our gate with time to spare and then made our way to the Land of Sheep - AKA IRELAND!!!
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