On Saturday, I woke up to the sound of pouring rain thinking, “This is exactly what I expected from Scotland.” And since it was what I expected, I wasn’t bummed.

I put on my rain gear and ventured out; my first stop was the Saturday farmers’ market at the bottom of Edinburgh castle. Although it was small, there was a really good selection of cheese and meat from the Highlands, fish from the coast, and, of course, cake. The best find at the market: Scottish highland buffalo burgers (my breakfast)! It pained me not being able to take any of this fresh fish and meat back to Germany. I did pick up some goat cheese, which was some of the best I’d ever tasted.

After the market, I spent my morning browsing the small stores that lined the streets of the Grassmarket area where I was staying.

A bookbinding store, full of handbound journals and books and handmade prints.

I had read about this bookstore, which had rooms and rooms of books piled from floor to ceiling. You could easily spend all day there. I picked up two books: Chocolate Wars: the 150 year rivalry between the world’s greatest chocolate makers and Jessie’s Journey, in keeping with my plan to read books related to the places I visit.

By mid-day, the clouds had parted and the sun was shining. I had a lot to explore, and Edinburgh was waiting…