The Sun DOES Shine in Scotland

Today was the most beautiful day in Scotland thus far. It was extraordinarily sunny. Unfortunately I was on my own most of the day and didn't take any pictures. I get kind of nervous pulling out my camera on a street corner due to the very large number of people in the city right now. I'm slightly afraid someone will yank my purse off my shoulder while doing this.

The streets are so busy that stopping for photos causes serious traffic jams. I am guilty of getting very angry at those stopping, so I am finding it hard to stop. I promise to do so very soon.

I am officially a student here at the university. I matriculated (registered, enrolled, and PAID). So that is a weight off my shoulders.

I went to top-up my cell phone (add more money to it cause it is pay as you go), and unfortunately they wouldn't take my debit card. Here in the UK all debit and credit cards have a chip in them. So people just put them into little machines and enter a PIN number. I don't have a card like that, but most big stores accept my cards. Anywho, I then had to go to an ATM to get some cash. I went to the Clydesdale Bank and put in my card. The machine turned all its lights off and said "Sorry, this machine is not currently working." I IMMEDIATELY PANICKED!!! Luckily a very nice looking girl walked up at that exact moment and was kind enough to go inside and get some assistance. I refused to leave the machine as ATM scams are quite prevalent in Europe. A bank employee fetched the card for me and told me it was probably due to the lack of the infamous chip. Fortunately it worked in the ATM within the branch, so I now have some funds in my phone.

On my way home I wanted to take a different route. I went from Princes street across Waverley Bridge straight UP Roxburgh's Close. Closes are little alleyways. They are all over the Old Town. It is as if people of that time didn't realize there was land on the other side of the castle so they just built streets on top of streets. It is an absolute maze in that part of town, but completely fascinating. Roxburgh's Close was at least 200 steps straight up. (I will get a picture very soon.) I am not exaggerating. I was completely out of breath at the top, but was determined to not turn around. I felt amazing at the top...like I had just climbed a huge mountain. I wanted to dance like Rocky when he ran to the top of the steps in one of those Rocky movies....don't remember the number.

I think that is all for today!