Snap: Lawnmarket

Lawnmarket, 01 February 2014, noonish.

Cheers,

Kate xx

Just off the Mile

There's a court outside my window that tour guides like to take their groups through because it's quiet, but also because it's a little bit off the beaten path. That sounds weird when you think about it being in the center of the city, mere steps from the Royal Mile, which is apparently the most-visited part of Scotland annually. But what the tour guides say is true: people don't step off the Royal Mile very often. There are numerous closes (narrow walkways) with winding, zig-zaggy steps, steep walks, cobbled alleys, courtyards and historic houses and museums back there -- and most people walk right on by! All the souvenir shops don't do any favors: their signs often out-shine the smaller ones that denote the passageways or historic plaques, but that's all the more reason to, as a visitor, keep an eye out for the less obvious things. It's what's not in-your-face all the time that is often the most interesting.

So, case in point, a couple of courtyards just off Lawnmarket and literally feet from my flat. In one of these photos you can actually see my flat window, but I'll be secretive and let you guess which one it might be. ;) I was spurred to take these photos because I've noticed recently that a popular photo was going around on Pinterest that someone had captioned 'hidden alleyways of London' or something general like that. It was clearly Edinburgh, and I know because I can see it out my window. So I decided to use that as the inspiration for this blog post, which is just pretty pictures of this wonderful courtyard pair of connecting courtyards and the stunning, very Scottish architecture. So... enjoy!





Cheers,
Kate xx

The ball starts rolling

This morning I checked my email first thing, like I usually do (because at 6am, it's noon in UK!) and was happy thrilled to see an email with an offer of accommodation!

!!!!!!!

(photo)

Yep. That's right. I have an address, and it ends in "Royal Mile, Edinburgh." Ahh! Couldn't be happier. And soon I won't even have to post dreamy photos that other people took! ;)

I had three days to decide whether or not to accept, but it took me all of about ten minutes to go through the process of securing my place. It was my top choice, and I'll be in a flat of five students. I think that many people in one flat is wonderful, because there's so much opportunity to get to know other people, and also to not be stuck with one roommate, if that roommate turns out to not be ideal. It's in arguably the best location, in a historic building, and is also the cheapest university accommodation I could get. I'm delighted with that combination of qualities.

On the other hand, of course, a couple hours later I received an email informing me that I had not been selected as a recipient of the College of Art scholarship either, so that's strike three and I'm full-on borrowing for this baby. All that will start to come together soon, and yet again I have to remind myself to keep from stressing too much about the money... it's a big investment, but that's what it is: an investment. And I know of people in faaaar worse financial shape student debt-wise than I am. So really, no actual complaints.

;)

Anyway. The excitement of getting my top choice accommodation outweighs the scholarship hiccup, so onto the next thing... whatever that may be!

Cheerio!


Days to Edinburgh move-in: 94