When I had
spared enough money to travel, I’ve decided to go to Edinburgh. I had ever been
there before, when I was nearly 13, in May 2003. I was in Year 8, and it had
been the best trip ever! With the pupils (and my friend Laurie J ) we went to the Highlands, the
Loch Lomond, visited Sterling and the William Wallace monument. It was amazing J. Laurie and I wanted to go to
Edinburgh for only one thing: have a chance to see J.K. Rowling J
That’s why,
eight years and a half later, I wanted to go back there. After I booked the
train tickets and the hostel, I packed and went to school: netbook, towel,
clothes, camera, tickets and reservation… I looked like a turtle with such a
bag, but I was so happy!!! J As I had my Thursday afternoon free, I took
the first bus in Bishop Auckland for Durham train station. Listening to the
last Nightwish, Imaginaerum, in the
train, I spent two hours thinking about Princes street, the Walter Scott
monument, the castle…
Once there,
I completely changed my mind! Indeed, it was night already, and I couldn’t find
the hostel! “Down Princes street, cross the Bridge, on the Royal Mile…” yes,
but it’s so dark I can’t see the signs! Nevermind… I finally reached the place.
OK, fine, I’m in Edinburgh and now… I’ve got nothing to do. I wanted to go out,
discover the place, have fun! I just went to the common room with my netbook and
logged in to chat with my boyfriend, and watch some series then. But right next
to me, there was that guy… and i thought “oh… armchair looks comfortable!”
(Hey, what did you expect?^^). When he left, I immediately took his armchair (I
was sitting on a wooden bench…) and he came back. I felt ill-at-ease, and said
to him: “sorry, I’m on your spot”. And he replied “that’s ok! I was about to
watch some Big Bang Theories!” (yes, because for those who don’t know, the “you’re
on my spot” phrase is from The Big Bang Theory ;) ). And after a brief
introduction, we – “Steve” and I- decided to go out for a drink. We went to our
room to take our coat and when we came back, a guy –David-, hold the door for
me, so I invited to come as well… Worse mistake of my life.
We went
out, and David was like “I know this town by heart… I know a pub always crowded…
Did you know that the king blablabla…” well, we followed him to the pub he knew
and… It was empty, and we only had 15 minutes to have a drink before the
closing. That’s all. On our way back to the hostel, Steve and I had to fight
against a terrible wind, I thought I was about to take off! Once at the hostel,
David was like “ oooooooh, so tired, going to bed!” and Steve said “ well, I’m
not tired…” I wasn’t neither. So, we went to another pub, the “world’s end”.
When we ordered drinks, I told Steve “hey the barman didn’t ask for my ID!” and
as he heard me, he did so… but I was of age, heyhey J
I spent a
fabulous time with Steve: we liked the same series, same movies, both had a
taste for trips and, most important, we liked the same music. He even knew the
bands Avantasia and Edguy, which are not famous in France. I thought he could
be my twin brother!
The morning
after, we met for breakfast. We were supposed to be in the kitchen at 8 o’clock.
I’ve been lazy, I was there at 8.15. But guess who was there already? Yes,
David. He was so clingy that I kept my eyes on the door, praying for Steve to
arrive. At least he came, and I was relieved! J
When the
day before, I asked him about the organization of the hostel, he told me there
was no cranberry juice available. The fact is that, there was. When I showed
him the glass of juice I had (in a pot of Nutella which still had the sticker
on), he replied “what, you’re drinking Nutella?” It’s silly but, Steve, I will
always remember that joke!
Before we
leaved, we exchanged our Face book. I really wanted to keep in touch with him,
that guy was great. David was sitting next to us, and I must admit, I hesitated
a while, I mean, if I should give him my face book or not. It broke my heart,
but I didn’t. I just couldn’t stand this guy lol. I planned to visit the castle
this day, and Steve had to go to Glasgow. It was time to say goodbye, and it
broke my heart when I thought “I will never see him again”…
I spent the
Friday in the cold. Wandering in the streets, I was happy to feel the Scottish
spirit again. The flag of Saint Andrew, tartans kilt, bagpipes… I think I was
smiling all the time. In front of a shop, the main headline of the newspaper
was about the wind, the night before: I couldn’t believe my eyes!
I walked a
lot that day, from Saint Giles Cathedral to the Tartan factory, down the
castle, I discovered a lot of things I didn’t have time to see nine years ago.
A perfect day. I even met William
Wallace! I know, my mum told me, I look overweight on that pic... trust me it was cold!!!
But at
night, I had to buy a scarf. Not because I didn’t have one, but I needed another one to put around my face.
Really cold. I wanted to go back to the hostel to have a warm shower. During
the evening (once again) I had nothing to do, except chat with my boyfriend and
watch series. A big guy, Frank, from New-York, found of cinema, with long hair,
a long beard and a jean jacket covered with metal bands names asked if I wanted
to go have a drink. Of course I wanted to! We went to my FAVORITE PUB, the
Banshee Labyrinth, on Niddry street, two streets far from the hostel. This pub
is amazing: in one room, you can watch some old movies such as Nosferatu and Sunrise ( I studied cinema and, trust me, German impressionist cinema
is my favorite period J ); in the basement, there is a room for
concerts; there is also a free cinema with thematic evenings ( we watched Monsters, Inc) but the most remarkable thing is the cellar, there are chains
on the wall and it’s lighten with candles J so gothic!
I spent the day shopping, visiting the museum (which is huge J ), met Frank unexpectedly, and went to Carlton Hill. It was OK to climb there, but I was afraid I could fall because the snow had turned into ice at night! There was a band playing that night at the banshee, so I spent my last evening in Edinburgh there. I was very very very sad on the Sunday morning, when I had to leave this town which brought me so much happiness! I promised I would come back! And I did… Last summer, I made my Lad visit the town, where he wants to go back again… We are definitely in Love with Edinburgh J
