Edinburgh - Day 10

I woke again at 06:40, because I had a big day ahead, and a lot to do (or so I thought). I ate my last hotel breakfast (because I didn't know if tomorrow's is paid by the company or not), prepared my stuff, and went outside with my laundry. The previous monday, I had forgotten to ask for a receipt, so I was relieved when I learned that the guy working there remembered me, and agreed to send me the receipts by email.

Small lake in Holyrood Park.

Then I left towards Holyrood Park, going through Grassmarket / Cowgate / Holyrood Road. I got there at around 08:40, and walked almost completely around the park. I climbed the same path to get to the mountain like last time, then went ahead to Arthur's Seat. The paths were not as difficult as they seemed, and the view was spectacular! I was at the top at 09:40, so I took less time that I had expected.

I walked back down, slowly, taking the same way along the crags.

The dial on top of Arthur's Seat, showing the
direction and distance of nearby mountains.

My coworker and his girlfriend had recommended The Mussel & Steak for lunch, and I got there at 11:15, but it only opened at 12:00, so I walked around the castle and the Royal Mile and entered at 12:06.

It was a very interesting restaurant - they gave me an empty glass, and a clear bottle of wine filled with water. That was cool! And they have a camera in the kitchen, so we can watch them cook our meal while we wait.

I ordered a brie tart, which was delicious, followed by a main dish of mussels, which was also my first time. It was pretty good!

First time eating mussels.

I left the restaurant at exactly 13:06, and walked again through the Royal Mile, to Princes Street, to the St-James Mall Centre. I was smaller than I had anticipated. I wanted to buy some A4 wirebound books to take nots, but they were £4. That was much too expensive. I also wanted to buy a book, since my reading of The China Study was almost over, and the 5-hours train ride tomorrow would see it done, or nearly so. I had learned the previous day that J.K. Rowling had written her first Harry Potter book (The Philosopher's Stone) in some cafés in Edinburgh, notably The Elephant House, which I passed in front a couple times when I was walking close to the Royal Mile. I thought buying the first book in Edinburgh was more suitable than buying it in London.

The water I got.

There were no bookstore in the mall, so I asked the lady at the information kiosk, and she points to a place on Princes Street. I asked the name of the store, and upon hearing random letters and sounds and not wanting to make her repeat, I decide a bookstore is quite easy to notice. I walk back to Princes Street and search for a bookstore on all its length, but doesn't see anything. I go back towards the hotel, trying on my way to find a free wi-fi spot somewhere, and in my room, go to google on the hotel wi-fi. WaterStone is indeed on Princes Street, near the end. I take note of another bookstore, closer to the hotel, in case the WaterStone is closed or something. The other bookstore is small and seemingly uninteresting, but it's a suitable alternative.

I go back to Princes Street, but can't find anything. Check Princes Mall, nothing. I start my way back to the front of Princes Street, but find a board on the street saying which stores are where, and there it is! Near the beginning! I had missed it twice... I go there, spend almost an hour trying to find a book, because the only Harry Potter book #1 they have is damaged, and I need another book for the train. I settle with The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, of which the american version is currently in theaters.

I go back, get my laundry, get back to my room and check my emails on my iPhone. My coworker said to meet him at 18:30 at Teuchters Bar, the bar on top of A Room at the West End restaurant. While I wait for the best time to leave the hotel, I write this text in my notebook, then leave at 18:00 and wait for my coworker at the bar. An Irish guy from the support department arrives first, and we drink, waiting for the coworker. When he finally arrives, we drink with him, and go down to the restaurant. I order a vegetarian dish with potato dumplings. It was very good!

After dinner, we returned to the bar section, and I leave at around 21:30, stopping at the Co-op Food one last time to get a breakfast for tomorrow.