Good bye Edinburgh–Hello Amsterdam 

Before I move on to Amsterdam I forgot to tell you a few other things about Edinburgh:

1. Edinburgh has only 700 pubs compared to Dublin’s 2,000.

2. The Caravaggio picture of Christ’s arrest (Judus giving him a kiss) is over 430 years old.  It was “uncovered” in a Jesuit church in Ireland in 1990.  The Jesuits have loaned it indefinitely to the Dublin National Gallery under the condition that the Gallery has free admission.  It is the picture on the flyers from the special exhibit in Edinburgh —- absolutely magnificent.

3.  Edinburgh has artificial ski slopes that you could see from the Castle.

4.  This is a statue of the little “Scotty” dog: Bobby that sat on his master’s grave for 14 years. What loyalty!!! Everyone rubs his nose.

Hi, Amsterdam— getting here was uncomplicated.  There seemed like there was a “ton” of people at the Edinburgh airport but it worked smoothly.  KLM is very civilized– gave us cake and water and drinks at no charge ( no liquor; only wine, juice pop, etc.). There was someone at immigration and he asked me several questions about my stay.

I found the train to the city and activated my 2-month pass.  The only pass you can buy from the states is for first class travel—- I like that.  The train was extremely crowded except for the first class section.

This is my home for four days.  It is about 10 minutes from the city center.  I took the bus that stops 2 short blocks away, but I can walk a little further and get the free water taxi.  I dropped my suitcase off and went back to the city center to the Skylounge at the Hilton and had dinner—— Lemon Risotto.  I read there are lots of bikes/ bikers—- there are zillions of them.  I am taking a walking tour tomorrow.

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