Jennifer's Travel Adventures: Edinburgh Recap

I awoke this morning to find Edinburgh covered in a fog. It's gray and dreary and the vibe of the city is mellow. I went for an early walk and there weren't very many people out, just the merchants preparing their stores for the busy day. The weather makes my departure easier. I have a train ticket for Glasgow in a few hours. This will be my first trip back on train in three years, I'm really looking forward to it.

I thought I'd doing something different and recap a few notes by topic.

Cuisine

The Scot's aren't known for their cuisine. They have two staples: fish & chips ( which is one word here) and whiskey.

Neither of these staples are conducive to a gluten-free diet. If my blood line is Scottish, I'm the odd woman in the gene pool. The nice part of going to a large international city is that there is an awareness of Celiac's Disease and what gluten-free means. I've had no trouble eating here. In fact, it's easier than back home.

My favorite place was Mamma's Pizza. It's located on the Grassmarket strip, in-between the castle and Edinburgh University. Grassmarket is a fun place to walk and there seems to be a lively atmosphere at all times of the day. Perhaps that is the natural mix of college students and tourists. At Mamma's, they offered gluten free pizza in a variety of sizes and for only £.50 more. As eyed the menu, I was bit overwhelmed. I do not get to enjoy pizza very often and that somehow makes me stammer and sound confused when I order.

I threw out the first toppings I saw: onions, olives, garlic, and prosciutto. Prosciutto? I might love my italian ham but I'll admit, it's not an awesome choice on pizza. I was flustered! While I waited for it to be prepared, I journaled and enjoyed people watching. It felt luxurious.

The pizza turned out amazing- toasty prosciutto and all! I ate every last bite. In talking with the server, I found out they use a garlic oil base and then put the red sauce on over it. The crust was light and had a great texture. A rarity in the off brand of gluten free bread making. Last but not least, their level of customer service was the best I've had yet, in a culture where waitresses/bartenders do not live on tips.

View from Mamma's

http://www.mammas.co.uk/

Language

English is the primary language here. However, Edinburgh must be one of the most diverse places I've ever been. In fact, most people I've met have been from elsewhere. Poland, Russia, Spain, Italy, etc... I've been excited whenever I've met someone who is actually Scottish. Then I proceed to tell them I'm a Napier. I'm sure they really don't care but they do a nice job of humouring me. Scot's are a bit difficult to understand and they have enough slang words here that I feel it could be their own language. Unfortunately, I haven't had a lot of sit down time with locals, mostly drive by conversations in the pubs. I find myself saying "what?" "can you repeat that?" over and over. It makes me feel ignornant and can be frustrating. Therefore, the conversations don't last long.

Word from the locals is that it will only get harder to understand people from here on out. Edinburgh is the most liberal, young, and tourist friendly city. The accents will be more difficult the further north or south I go.

I've also learned that Glasgow and Edinburgh rivial each other. Those in the capital city of Edinburgh feel that those in Glasgow are bit rough around the edges. Locals tell me Glasgow is crap and that I shouldn't go there.Glasgow is actually larger than Edinburgh with more actractions, perhpas it's a jealousy? I'm sure I'll get the same reply in Glasgow. For me, it feels reminiscent of a North-South rivalry in the states.
Speaking of the South...when I was in a pub on Thursday night, the band played the song Sweet Home Alabama and I would have thought I was in the deep south. The pub went nuts and everyone jumped on the empty dance floor to rock out to it. Scot's singing at the tops of their lungs, there was so much passion for this song! I couldn't help but laugh the whole time, it seemed hysterical that Lynard Skynyrd would be the band that got people dancing.

Tourist Activities