Then and Now

a couple weeks ago I got a spontaneous invitation to head up to Bremen with a friend for the weekend. It was a nice little change of pace, and Bremen is an amazing city. I can't lie, the first thing to really catch my attention was being told there were stores open 24/7 and that the regular trams ran all night. But of course, our walk around the city was also pretty convincing.  

However, this wasn't the first time I was in Bremen. But it was the first city from very first trip to Germany that I've visited since 2005. And my how the times have changed... or have they? I'll let you be the judge of that. 

2012

2005

what I'm currently playing on repeat

Anyone who knows me, knows that I can listen to the same song[s] on repeat for about 5 months without getting tired of them. My current obsession (between this song, and most definitely this song), is from the Voice of Germany (or, as the commercials like to say, "the Woice of Germany"). Yes, I'm kind of in love with this show and I'm not ashamed (ok maybe a little ashamed) to admit it! 

Anyway, last week was the semi finals and my favorite singer (it's a redhead thing, guys) sang this song and I can't stop listening to it. 

also, while searching for that link, I came across this cover by my redhead and got all weak in the knees
also also, 1000 points to anyone who finds the grammatical error in the 2nd verse. 

Oh hey, winter finally showed up

I know you wouldn't believe it from my posts so far this year, buy I really do still live in Germany (although I do pretend that I live in Edinburgh when I visit). I've been surprisingly busy in the past couple of weeks. Taking spontaneous trips, planned trips, starting new tutoring jobs, and even occasionally lesson planning.

And all the while, I've been enduring sub-freezing temperatures. In fact the entire continent of Europe has kind of turned into a giant ice cube these days. And for someone who spent about 80% of her life south if the Mason-Dixon line, going into our second week with highs in the 20s (that's about -5ºc) is slightly disorienting. And while in Hamburg this past weekend, seeing people ice skating on frozen ponds was basically mind blowing.

Eventually (and possibly due to peer pressure), braved a walk across the frozen water myself!

Of course, I was terrified of breaking through the ice, Little Women style, the entire time...

But the point is, it's cold! So, if you don't mind I'm going to go hug my radiator and pretend I'm at the beach until further notice!

Good places to wear a mustache

I've been trying to come up with a list of good places to wear a mustache. And I could only come up with one answer: A MySpace creeper convention. Of course, Stanley Tucci really put any MySpace creeper to shame with his creeper 'stache in the Lovely Bones.

via

But fear not, non-creeper mustache enthusiasts. During my trip to Edinburgh, Shahida and I discovered a new event that is enhanced exponentially by a mustache. 

It happened by accident. Had the stars not aligned, the idea never would have come to us. But it just so happened that we pulled out Shahida's fake mustache collection (why yes, she does have a collection, and yes, it is extensive) the night before we decided to go on the Edinburgh pub crawl. 

Neither of us had ever been on a Pub crawl before and had heard good things about the one in Edinburgh. Of course, it then only seemed natural that we take the mustaches with. 

The original plan was to take a picture with the mustaches on in every bar we visited. But somewhere around the 3rd or 4th stop, they didn't come off. And let me just tell you, they were a hit. I would recommend never showing up to a pub crawl without one. 

I don't wanna say that we ended up being the coolest kids on our pub crawl, but there definitely wasn't anyone cooler than us in the end. Need proof? This video documents our evening and proves just how amazing mustaches can make a pub crawl.

Of course, even without mustaches, I can definitely recommend the Edinburgh pub crawl. And we are still looking for appropriate places to sport the Unibrow. We're always open to suggestions! 

Some fantastic tatties

Don't worry, Tatties is Scottish-speak for potatoes. And even though the British aren't particularly known for their culinary skills, they did get one thing right - the Baked potato! 

The British baked potato phenomenon is so much more than getting a baked potato and filling with the usual sour cream, bacon, cheese, etc. that you might find in the US or Germany. No, where you find a baked potato, you find a variety of unique fillings of anything from grilled veggies to my favorite - cheese, onion, and pineapple. There are couscous fillings, coleslaw fillings, sweet fillings, and savory. Pretty much anything you never realized you could put in a potato but suddenly can't imagine life without. 

So where exactly can you find these delicious treats in Edinburgh? Well, basically all over. But, lucky for you, I know where the BEST (and no, this is not subjective, it is completely and 100% irrefutable truth) baked potato shop is in Edinburgh. 

Easily enough, it's name is "The Baked Potato Shop" and it's located conveniently right off the royal mile near North Bridge. Right across from the Starbucks there is a little side street, and you should be able to see the little red awning from the Royal Mile. And the best part - it's a vegan potato shop, so you can feel like you're being really healthy/environmentally friendly when you partake in the deliciousness. 

If you only have one day in Edinburgh...

well, first of all, if you only have one day in Edinburgh, that was the absolute worst planning on your part. 

Edinburgh is basically my favorite city... ever. It might have something to do with the good friends and great times I always have there. But the city itself is just amazing. Between the castle, picturesque old city, great shopping possibilities, unique and adorable shops, and great selection of pubs, it's pretty much got everything. I could keep going, but I think you get my point. 

As it turned out, Andrea ended up only having one full day in Edinburgh, so I wanted to make sure she got to see exactly why I love that city so much. So here are some of the highlights we hit for those of you planning a trip to Edinburgh (as all of you should be!)

The Castle

The Castle is one of my favorite parts of this city. It just looks so stereotypically castle-like. And you know me, I love when things fit stereotypes! It is kind of expensive to get into the castle/ I've been in once, and I would say that it's definitely not a waste of money, but you can also easily enjoy the castle from the outside. Rumor has it the castle was the main inspirations for Hogwarts - totally believable as it is very well known that JK Rowling wrote the first three books while living in Edinburgh. 

The Royal Mile

The famous street that runs through the middle of the old city, from Holyrood (the royal residence) up to the castle. I pretty much live on the Royal mile when I'm in Edinburgh. There is always so much going on and so much to see. Andrea and I did the New Europe walking tour in Edinburgh (the same one I did in Amsterdam). As usual, it was amazing and focused a lot on the Royal Mile and around the old city. This is a must do if you find yourself in Edinburgh. 

The Old City

Don't forget to get off the beaten path while in the old city. The Royal Mile is definitely amazing, but there is so much more to see. Don't miss taking a peak down all the side streets to see just what kind of awesomeness is hiding there. 

The National Museum

This museum on the Royal Mile is home to all kinds of history from Edinburgh, Scotland and Great Britain. It is also home to Dolly the first cloned sheep (stuffed and mounted on a rotating pedestal, of course). And, my favorite part, you can go up to the roof of the museum of a fantastic view of the city. 

Baked Potatoes

I won't give too much away now - these babies are so good they're getting their own post - but if you find yourself in Edinburgh, definitely stop for a baked potato with all kinds of magical toppings. Like my favorite seen here: Cheese, onion and pineapple! 

Calton Hill

At the end of Princes Street sits Calton hill. Atop Calton hill you can find the Shame of Edinburgh (a giant, unfinished Greek monument) as well as a great view of the city on side all the way out to the sea on the other. 

There is so much more to do and see in Edinburgh: Shopping on Princes Street, hiking up Arthur's Seat, or visit Holyrood Palace, to name a few. These are just a handful of the must sees that Andrea and I could fit in on our one day together. For the time we had, I'd say we did pretty well. 

double decker

I have a love/hate relationship with British buses. On the one hand, they're double decker buses, and that's just awesome! I go up to the top and sit at the very front just like a little kid every time. 

On the other hand, they seem to have a mind of their own. Here are a couple things to be wary of when taking the bus in Edinburgh (or anywhere on the whole island, actually): 

1. you have to wave them down at the bus stop. Just because you're standing at the stop doesn't mean the bus will actually stop. I figured that out the first time my bus drove right past me without a care in the world. So when you see your bus coming, stick your hand out or jump in the road or something to make yourself seen.
2. Know where you're getting off. In German buses, even if they don't stop at every stop, they'll always announce the next stop to give you the chance to press the button signaling you want to exit. British buses just drive. They give no sign of where you are or how many stops you've even passed. You just have to know. I do a lot of guessing and hoping and accidentally getting off the bus a couple stops early.

And a completely related and relevant note, the more I'm in the UK, the more all the Harry Potter details make sense. But I totally don't pretend I'm on the Knight Bus every time I flag down a double decker and enjoy the ride from the top.... no way.