11 July, 2007

We arrived at London Gatwick a little bit early, around 8:30. I changed some money and we got our railpasses validated. We hopped aboard the Gatwick Express to London's Victoria Station. It was SO busy and so crazy and we were so tired. I'm surprised we made it! I bought Oyster cards and we made our way to the Underground with all of our luggage. I don't really remember that first Undergorund trip, but using the map, we obviously got from Victoria to King's Cross. We both had to use the bathroom upon arriving at King's Cross and found you had to pay for it! I went first becasue A. was tired and crabby and didn't know where to go or how to use it! After waiting around the train station for nearly an hour, our train to Edinburgh came up on the sign and we made our way to the platform. It had been so long since I'd been on a train, I kind of forgot how it all worked - where to sit, reservations, correct car, etc. But we got settled and seemed to be headed in the right direction. A very nice gentleman sat next to me until York and I tried hard to be polite and carry on a converation, but eventually fell asleep and slept most of the way to Edinburgh. We had planned on CouchSurfing in Edinburgh, but for whatever reason, the emails never made it to me prior to the trip (I found them after the trip) and we stayed in a hostel instead. We arrived in Edinburgh ~4:30 and were oh-so-tired. I tried following the directions they gave us and got us started in the right direction (all uphill, I might add), but we had to ask directions several times. We eventually made it up to the top of the hill and lo and behold, we were at the Edinburgh Castle. But who cares when you are exhausted, your lungs and legs are burning from carrying luggage and climbing hills, you're hungry and REALLY need a shower?? We asked one of the guards at the Castle for directions, he turned and pointed and there was our hostel - truly at the bottom of a set of stairs at the base of the castle!

Our Hostel - our room is at top center

Our Hostel

View from our hostel

We checked in, carried our luggage up to the top floor (oh my aching legs!) and showered. Well, the showers on the top floor had very little water pressure and I couldn't get any hot water. I gave up after A. finished her shower and went to the BR on the floor below, which worked well. I think we both felt better after that! I tried out my new adaptors for my hairdryer - mine didn't work - what was up with that?? None of mine worked! Luckily, someone had left their batteries charging on an adaptor that did work and I could dry my hair that way (OK- I'm spoiled - I gotta have my hairdryer - it's my one little luxury when travelling!) We left our stuff in our room (it was a big one with 6 sets of bunk beds and a window that looked out to the castle) and climbed ALL THOSE STAIRS back UP to the castle and walked partway down the Royal Mile, looking for food. We cut through a square with lots of pre-teen and teen goths - really, not just a few, but a lot! We ate at Subway cuz I knew what we'd be eating and it was easy - I tols A. that we wouldn't be eating American the whole time, but for tonight, this would do! After a little food, we wandered part way down the Royal Mile and windowshopped. The weather was nice - sunny and cool and windy. We made our way back to the hostel, back up the hill and then down the steps. We we returned, we met some of our roomates - to A.'s surprise, some of them were male! There was a woman from NJ who was travelling with her son and nephew in our room - they had driven up from England via Wales that day - what a great trip! We were tired and went to bed fairly early. The bad things about dorm rooms in hostels is the noise, but we slept pretty good that night!

our hostel room - view from our bunks

our bunks are the 2 on the left