Truth time:
Weekends in the Netherlands can be incredible. They can also be super long if the weather isn't so great and I don't get a chance to talk to people for a solid 48 hours.
Solution:
Last minute trip somewhere - wherever the flight is cheapest!
I booked an EasyJet flight on Monday night for Friday night returning on Sunday night. I love the fact that I can jump on a plane and be in another country in less than an hour. EasyJet is so convenient for quick trips to the UK.
Unfortunately, the weather turned drastically on Thursday night before I left. It went from mid 30ish to below freezing on Friday and super cold predictions for the rest of the weekend. Scotland is cold - those few degrees change make a huge difference. I never thought I would say a prayer for 35 degree weather, but I started fervently praying while on the plane. It didn't happen....and the wind chill had to be below 0. I froze - but that being said, it was an incredible trip. I can't wait to go back when it's warmer.
The flight was uneventful until I landed. I got the last row in the plane so I was the first off through the back door. Unfortunately, border control was crazy. They had one line for "all countries" and 20+ for EU/UK passports. This meant that even though I was the first from my plane in line, there were about 8 planes of people ahead of me. At 10:30 at night. Come on UK! Roll out the carpet for your tourists.....we are here to help! When I got to the desk, I proceeded to have the longest conversation I've ever had with a border agent in the UK or elsewhere. He asked me what I was doing there and was not satisfied with merely stating tourism. Normally that's a quick pass through, but this time I had to tell him which sites I was going to see, what times, where I was staying, what my outbound flight number was and when. It was a proper interrogation. Anyways, I finally got out of the airport at 11:45. At that point, knowing the time and my desire to get up at a decent time the next day to explore, the cold, and just general safety, I opted for a cab from the airport to the hotel, rather than the bus. I found out on the return that the bus would have been super easy, safe and convenient to the hotel, but better to be safe than sorry.
I stayed in Macdonald holyrood hotel, which was a recommended hotel by Rick Steves. It wasn't in the area that Rick recommends, which is way off the Royal Mile. I really wanted the full experience and I got a last minute deal at the MacDonald, so I went with it. For the price, it wasn't worth it. For the location, it was.
The hotel brings me to an interesting topic that I've had with co-workers subsequently. After getting in at almost 12:30, they had difficulty finding my reservation and then gave me the wrong type of room, so I had to ask them to change it. I got to bed around 1:15...not a happy camper, but still excited about Edinburgh. At 4AM, I am awoken by the fire alarm. 4AM. Keep in mind the weather discussion above. Anyways, I'm dazed and confused, but remember to put on my boots (only shoes I had), jacket, grab my purse and the key to my room. I run down the stairs as at this point, I really think the hotel is on fire or at least I'm dreaming it is. I get outside where the hotel lady was directing us and realise I'm one of the first ones down. This doesn't seem right to me considering I'm on the 6th floor, but just shrugged and moved on. People slowly start to trickle down......and they are all dressed up! Wearing nice jeans, a great shirt, heavy jackets, scarves, hair done, etc. This is the debate....What is the dress code for a mid night fire alarm? I was wearing my flannel pj pants and a t-shirt and the coat I threw on, along with my brown boots. Clearly the icon of fashion. I was one of maybe 4 people wearing proper pj pants. And it's a big hotel.
Anyways, while I was pondering the dress code of hotel fire alarms, I proceeded to lose feeling in all of my limbs from the cold. My ears were so cold they throbbed. People were getting really antsy and mean with the hotel people, who I felt sorry for. They had a nightmare on their hands, pun intended. After 30 minutes in the cold, I thought we were going to have a serious incident outside the hotel, not in it. They cleared the hotel about 10 minutes later and I did see real life Scottish fire people. I say people because all of them I saw were women, which is a bit disappointing considering seeing a hot Scottish fireman might have made up for the cold situation.
I was so cold I struggled to go back to sleep, so once I did, I wasn't getting up for anything. I made it out the door on Saturday around 10, which was much later than I usually get out, but I figured I had an excuse. Cold is no fun.
Day 2 in another post.
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