Hello Everyone,
I arrived at the Edinburgh International Airport in Scotland around six in the afternoon and I’m still recovering from such a long flight and of course jet lag. I’m glad to hear that everyone is doing well and enjoying their travels. Continue to update me with your progress and make sure to include pictures!! I enjoy reading your posts, but you know the saying: “A pictures worth a thousand words!” So please remember to include pictures.
I’m currently staying in the Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh, Scotland, which is one of the most luxurious hotels in all of Scotland and only twenty minutes away from the airport. Located on Princes Street, in Edinburgh’s main shopping plaza and next to Waverly Station, the Balmoral Hotel is within walking distance to all the main attractions. The view from my room is simply amazing and I can even see the Scott Monument from my window. I never realized that the Scott Monument is two hundred feet high and it even has a series of viewing decks that can be reached by a series of narrow spiral staircases. Hopefully tomorrow I will be able to take a tour because I hear from Scottish natives that you can get the best panoramic views of central Edinburgh and its surroundings from the Scott Monument. I did however manage to take a picture of the Scott Monument for you guys before nightfall.
After placing my luggage in the hotel room I walked around in hopes of discovering my best option for dinner. My aim coming into Edinburgh was to eat foods that were characteristic of Scotland. I decided to get suggestions from several Scottish natives on what type of food I should eat tonight. Ironically, they all excitedly stated, “Haggis!” I had no idea what type of food to expect after hearing them suggest this. I instantly thought of my friend Zach’s pet fish named Haggis and wondered if Zach gave him this name on purpose? I heard that the best Haggis in Edinburgh could be found at North Bridge Brasserie. When I arrived at the restaurant I was anxious to try this dish. From the menu I discovered that Haggis is made from the lung, liver, and heart of a sheep! Although, this description may not sound good the Haggis actually turned out well. The Haggis is traditionally served with potatoes and turnips. After I finished my meal I asked the waiter more about the origins of Haggis.
The waiter explained that the Haggis was immortalized by a famous Scottish poet Robert Burns in his Address to the Haggis in the 18th century and is celebrated in Scotland and throughout the world on Burns Night, January 25th, in memory of Robert Burns. In his Address to the Haggis, Burns presents the Haggis as being a unique and symbolic part of Scottish identity and culture. The Haggis was used as the vehicle to demonstrate Burns’ proud Scottish nationalism and how unique Scotland really was. Thus there was a link between Scotland’s identity at the time and the serving of Haggis to ordinary Scots. Burns wrote the poem as a celebration of Scotland and all things Scottish. In some ways it is quite strange and rather amusing to think that one of the world’s greatest poets should write so passionately about a simple meal, but in this instance, the poem’s celebration of Haggis became the symbol of Scottish nationalism and national identity.
Well I must go to bed now and get some rest for my travels tomorrow. My hope is to visit the International festival and the Jazz and Blues festival tomorrow. I’ll write about my travels tomorrow evening!! Goodnight!
–Timothy
