Kilty As Charged

Well we made it! After a few bumps along the way, mostly from Luna getting *hosed* by local vets and the USDA, Katie and I arrived in Edinburgh last week. Flying internationally during Covid was a bit more difficult, but it really only required more work on the front end because in order to get to Scotland you need:

- Proof of Covid Vaccine

- Negative Covid test 72 hours before flying

- Passenger Locator Form (PLF) that says where you'll be staying

- Booking # of a Day 2 Covid Test for when you arrive

- An understanding that due to Covid there will be no new movies on the airplane so you're going to have to watch ones that you HAVE ALREADY SEEN.

She'll be here in a few weeks, but she will never forget this slight.

When we arrived in Edinburgh, there were no issues with Customs, and we didn't have to show any of the above forms - we just strolled right into my 37th(!) and Katie's 39th (who's counting?) country. The EU has a Covid Passport that has yet to come to the UK that may be troublesome for us as the USA's vaccine database is a nightmare (here's your vaccine proof.,.it's a giant note card...written in pen...don't lose it). For the time being, however, nearly every Scottish business has you scan a QR Code so they can contact you if an outbreak occurs. It's a quick and effortless way to protect yourself and others.

These bad boys are everywhere, and smartly they have you do it BEFORE you get sloshed on pints.

Edinburgh is known as the Festival City because it goes hard for celebrations all year around, including possibly the world's biggest Fringe festival, and we arrived right in the middle of it. Minneapolis has a fantastic Fringe too, but check out this breakdown between the two in 2019:

Minneapolis

Days 11

Venues 17

Shows 729

Attendance 34,000

Edinburgh

Days 31

Venues Countless

Shows 3,800

Attendance 3,000,000

Edinburgh stopped keeping track of Fringe venues years ago because artists started performing on the street, in backrooms of restaurants, and at random bars at 4AM in the morning - really anywhere that would give them a space for an hour. Covid shut down Fringe last year, but luckily it bounced back this year and we had a chance to take in a variety of shows and performances from catching part of a 4 hour modern dance presentation in a field to a darkly comedic one woman Fleabag-esque play called SKANK to a Sunshine on Leith show in a parking garage based on music from the band that sang "500 Miles". It seemed like there were shows and exhibits all over the city, but everyone who lives here says this year is vastly scaled down from normal, so we're looking forward to an explosion of plays and SKANK 2: SKANKS STRIKE BACK next year. We also stumbled into a street art show in a car park in the nearby town of Leith, and you can scroll through a few of these beauties below.

Katie and I are bouncing from Airbnb to Hotel to Airbnb at the moment as we search for an apartment, and the change of scenery isn't a big deal but the house hunt is becoming a bit of a nightmare. There are a ton of students trying to find housing, and life is starting to return to normal in Scotland so many people are returning as offices open back up. We were on a Zoom tour of an apartment that had SIXTY FOUR other people in it. Apartments will hit the market, and within an hour their showings are completely filled or they're rented out completely sight unseen and removed from the listings. WHAT. Katie said she feels like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman when she has all this money and no one will help her buy a dress. We have money. You have house. We give you money. You give us house. Everyone wins. We may snag a temporary place for a month and get a year lease in October once the market calms down. Or maybe that time travelling castle in Outlander has an extra bed? I don't know, I've never seen it.

Although nothing is going to beat this view. He must work out.

But! Because we keep jumping to different places and checking out multiple flats, we now have a strong grasp on Edinburgh's layout and its different neighborhoods so when you come visit (you should come visit) we'll be able to show you around like pros.

Wanna do a cheap, educational but super boozy whisky tasting?

Check out Jeffrey St Whisky and Tobacco off Princes in Old Town - ask for Hector and tell him Chris sent you. He'll say ".....who?" It's our thing.

Wanna hotel with a window and WiFi in your room?

Don't stay at the Britannia. We booked a hotel. Online. In 2021. How did we accidentally reserve a room in the depths of a 19th century steamer ship? Read the fine print, kids.

Wanna know which pubs allow dogs inside?

There are so. many. It's an incredibly dog friendly city, and Luna is going to thrive when she arrives in a few weeks. I'll wait and let her answer.

Wanna know which chippy has the best kebabs?

Great question! Currently West End Scran just south of Stockbridge has the coveted Doner Championship Belt but I'll keep trying every single one until I get an answer. You're welcome.

We're also drinking every beer. Again, for you.

All in all, we're loving our time in Scotland so far, and we're looking forward to putting down temporary roots with an apartment, Katie's schooling, a job for me in the next few weeks, and most importantly: A LOCAL FOOTBALL TEAM TO SUPPORT. As a reminder, you can follow more of our Scottish stumbles over on IG @TookALittleTrip.

Cheers,

Chris