The Pubs

So, I think you're all probably interested in the pub scene in Edinburgh. It's pretty great - there are a lot of authentic Scottish pubs with names like Greyfriars Bobby Bar and Maggie Dickson's. Actually, there's a crazy story about Maggie Dickson. She was this woman who lived in Edinburgh in the 1700s. She got knocked up and concealed her pregnancy, which was apparantly a crime back then...so they hung her. Well, the Scots were not very good at hanging people, because after they buried her someone heard banging coming from her grave. At that point, people realized she was a pretty cool lady and not only let her live, but named a pub after her! And then about 250 years later, there I sit, having a pint in her honor.

There are also a lot of Irish pubs in Edinburgh, and they are super fun. They have live music on most nights, which is great - just imagine: a fiddler and a guy playing an accoustic guitar and singing "Play That Funky Music White Boy." I kid you not. So far, I've been hanging out with Americans for the most part (some of them are in the Parliamentary Internship program with me, and others are attending the University), but we've met a few Scottish people as well.

This morning I went to see the Castle, which was fun. There are really nice views from the top (although not the best views in Edinburgh). The odd thing was the sleeping quarters for the prisoners of war were nicer than the sleeping quarters for the soldiers! Way to take care of your own, Scotland.

I also stopped in The Elephant House for a baked potato and chili (a Scottish dish that I actually like). For those of you who are not Harry Potter fans, The Elephant House is the cafe where JK Rowling wrote the first Harry Potter book. It's actually a really cute place, and they let you read and hang out there for as long as you want.

Well that's about it for now. I think I successfully uploaded a few photos to this post, and I put some more up on Facebook. This evening I'm off to Shap, in Northern England, for my homestay. I'll let you all know how that goes.

Anything crazy going on in the States? FYI, the Super Tuesday primaries are on Feb 5 (New York holds its primary on that day). If you're not going to be in the state where you're registered to vote on the day of your primary, send in an absentee ballot request ASAP. Don't think that just because I'm in Scotland you can escape my political rantings :)

Miss everyone.
Pam