While this might perhaps turn out to be the most boring blog post in the short history of blogging, I thought nevertheless a bit of a photo essay on my daily commute would be interesting. Now, since I haven't quite figured out how to intersperse mulitple photos within the text, you'll just to bear with me.
I take the train from Livingston into Edinburgh Waverley station(as I’ve realized my time *is* actually that valuable—the bus takes about an hour longer each way). Waverley is the main hub for Edinburgh so the station is already quite busy and will only get more so. (photos 1 and 2)
I’ve figured out what seems like the shortest way to the library from the station, which involves a lot of stairs.
From Waverley, I walk up Fleshmarket (yes, you read that correctly) close. (photo 3)
There’s an extremely cute pub halfway up called “Halfway House” (pun intended, I’m sure). I haven’t yet checked it out, as it seems to be generally frequented by very, very drunk and very outgoing men. Not my cuppa for traveling alone. (photo 4)
Once I exit Fleshmarket close, around the corner is Anchor Close, which is another 60 steps up. (photo 5) These closes are, I think, Edinburgh’s version of the backlane, which Guy Maddin featured so beautifully in My Winnipeg. (Mom and Dad, your garage is in the movie!).
There is something inherently mysterious and spooky and so historical about winding my way up to the library through these back alleys.
Anchor Close opens out on to High Street, also known as the Royal Mile, also known as tourist central, also known as “it’s about to become hell on earth as soon as tourist season starts in earnest”. It seems as though every day there are more people cramming onto this street. Edinburgh castle is at one end of the Royal Mile; the Queen’s residence in Edinburgh, Holyrood Palace is at the other end. Anchor close opens out next to a stand operated by a woman who has about 5000 piercings all over her face. She charges £3.00 for a photo with her.
I pass by Adam Smith’s monument on the left,(photo 6) walk over the heart of the mid-lothian (the former site of hangings in Edinburgh, which people spit on for some reason I can’t recall right now...) (photo 7)
Hang a left at David Hume’s monument (where assumingly atheist people rub his toe, I’m sure to the absolute horror of St Peter, wherever he is),(photo 8) and end up at the National Library of Scotland, which is half way across the George IV bridge. (photos 9 and 10) Across the street is the Elephant Room (where J.K. Rowling wrote the first Harry Potter book) and the central library.
After a historical stroll down the royal mile, I basically hole up in the North reading room for the day.
All in all, I descend 50 steps and ascend 198 steps on the way to the library. Needless to say, going home is easier.
Don’t you wish you were here? Non stop excitement. xo
