Dr Flo's world tour of scotland - day 1

photo update later when the connection gets better!

dr flo goes visiting men wearing skirts!


day 1:
Left sweden under pouring rain.. For those of you reading that do not know the swedish weather, this is actually a tradition. The midsummer weekend HAS to be a shitty one weatherwise (the rest of the year the weather is shit but its more a fact than a tradition). The result of this wonderful weather was that i travelled for about 6 hours in soaked clothes and smelling like a wet dog. Awesome!

(photo gbg airport)

Göteborg City Airport went like a breeze, thanks to online early checkin. After that, a mile long queue to the airplane, along with the usual fatass rude monkey that believes that queuing is only for humans and that apes are allowed to jump the queue. The flight itself went just fine. I am now in prestwick. If you have never been to prestwick...well do you know glasgow? yes? ok. it's NOT there!
(photo prestwick)

At the train platform in prestwick, i ended up ona waiting bench next to a canadian exchange student, doing a year in belfast and now interailing around europe. the discussions goes on and on and here we arrive in glasgow central. After a wee walk, we arrive at queen street station where the shuttle for edinburgh awaits. A short hour later, i am back in my most beautiful town on earth, almost 3 years to the day since my last visit!

photo glasgow central, queen street, waverley. princes street.

First impression: changes, lots of it. Much more luxury boutique (vuitton, d&g and co) on rose street, less pubs, more bars....Fortunately, the old change has not change one bit. Cowgate still is the seedy road i kew, and the Mile retained his gothic charm. After a stop at the supermarket to buy the shampoo and other liquids that were not allowed as a hand luggage (apparently you can make an atomic bomb out of a conditioner bottle, perfume and shower gel too....), i'm heading for my home for a week on Cowgate.

(photos grass market)

I live on Cowgate, one stone throw away from the grassmarket, which was the old execution place back in the day where it really was not hip to be a protestant down here. The hostel i took is a converted student dorm (a la volra thams gatan). Spartan comfort, but all clean and cozy. The reception desk sells towels fashioned as kilts...disturbing.

(photo hotel dehors)

My bedroom in on the 4th floor, with a shared bathroom. One shower later, i hit the streets. (...)

Once on the streets, its the same effect as usual. I will alaways be in love with edinburgh. A few steps and from the grass market, i walk up candlemaker row to see again greyfriar Bobby. The cemetery next door is as beautiful as a movie set. The town is, for once, under a glowing sun.

6pm, I meet gav, the groom to be and the reason for my trip here. Thai food on north bridge and a lot of catching up on gav, the family, the friends. Really great. After the meal, gavs goes back home in gullane, more stuff to finish before the stag starts tomorrow!

since then i wander the roads of the city, shooting a zillion photos and grinning....watch this space, we are just getting started!