This man was playing the bagpipes near Princes St Gardens and I desperately wanted to give him money to stop.

Edinburgh! After a dreary start to the morning, the skies cleared up and I experienced two bright, sunny days. I was pumped. Although it was a bit chilly, it was perfect weather for hitting the pavement and exploring. And I found the city was very walkable. I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to get to all the neighborhoods I wanted to, but turns out I had time to see everything (and spend time in a few health food stores too).

I think one of the coolest things about this city is Edinburgh castle. You forget it’s there for a while, and then you turn a corner and there it is again. It’s always looming in the distance whether you expect it or not.

Aside from the castle, Calton Hill, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was another looming presence over the city. I swear I kept crossing bridges and turning corners and thinking, “whoa!”

The old stone buildings placed against a see of vivid green was exactly what I expected from Scotland.

And some streets led straight to the sea. It was almost like playing a game: what will I see when I turn the next corner?