Abigail’s Hostel | A Sagittarian Seeker

October 24, 2025, Edinburgh- The bright face of the young lady in the small Taiwanese cafe radiated outside and clear across the street, almost as if she had been expecting me. I crossed the road, glanced at Hoja’s small menu, then went inside and had a fabulous Korean-Cantonese fusion meal, for which Taiwan has become famous. We were in Edinburgh, not T’aipei, making it all the more delicious.

The day broke, bright and sunny, and I checked out of Abigail’s Hostel, crossing quickly over to Eden Quay and the Bus Stop for Dublin Airport. Though the bus came late, I had no problem getting to the airport, and through security on time. Ryan Air left on time also, and we were in Edinburgh in 45 minutes.

It was not bright and sunny here, yet despite the rain, a combination of tram, bus and hoofin’ it got me to Edinburgh Travel Guest House, in less than an hour after landing. The door bell camera had shorted out, though, so I waited outside a bit, until a couple of Chilean ladies who were going out, let me inside. A German hosteler arrived fifteen minutes later, and was able to reach the attendant on his phone. The eight of us who had gathered in the living room were thus able to get settled in our respective rooms: Four young women from Canada, two young men from Spain, the German gentleman and me. I have a room to myself tonight, a nice change, every so often.

Despite the lingering drizzle, I wanted to maximize my time here, so I headed out, to look at the neighbourhood of south Edinburgh. This brought me to a lovely park, across from a technological school.

I came upon a stately church, and a quiet neighbourhood, where shops were closing for the evening.

Newington Trinity Church of Scotland (above and below)

Walking eastward, I came upon The Meadows, directly across from the University of Edinburgh.

Foliage, in The Meadows (above and next two scenes)

Queen’s Hall-along with Summerhall, is an entertainment venue. Walking further south, I came upon

St. Margaret and Leonard Catholic Church.

Had I kept on, in the gathering dusk, I’d have ended up in Holyrood Park, then would have found myself overlooking the Firth of Forth. So, in the interests of rest and well-being, I headed back to Travel Guest House.

Tomorrow will bring me north, to an all too brief visit with more friends, in Findhorn.

October 22, 2025, Dublin- The story is as old as mammals themselves: A pest is pursued by its primary predator, and tries to escape into a safe haven. The only problem is, the hiding place is big enough for the pursuer as well. In the end, neither got out.

Christ Church Cathedral is one of three major houses of worship in Dublin. It was the only one of the three that I was able to enter and wander its two accessible floors. Time and the flow only allow for a little on any given day. St. Patrick’s Cathedral and St. Audoen’s Church offered glimpses of their exteriors and closes. The interiors will wait for another time.

I spent last night in the company of fellow Baha’is, at our Faith’s National Centre, in Ballsbridge on the near South Side. We celebrated the Birth of al-Bab which, as readers may remember, occurs back-to-back with the celebration of the Birth of Baha’ullah. It is these Holy Days which give me the reason to stay in one place for 2-3 days, and what finer place is there than the capital of the Irish Republic, with its spirit of independent investigation and expression of truth.

Christ Church Cathedral lies almost due west of stately Dublin Castle, the old seat of the British Viceroys. These two were the focus of today’s walkabout, once I set out from Abigail’s Hostel, a bit north of them in Temple Bar, across from the River Liffey. This is the heart of Dublin and, despite their association with colonialism and the Reformation, Castle and Cathedral are reflective of the fierceness of Irish spirit.

I began at the Castle, and its adjacent Chapel.

The Presidents of Ireland have their portraits hung here, as did the Viceroys of the British regime before them. Thus has the Irish nation made use of a building that was once the symbol of subjugation.

The first Irish President I remember from childhood was Eamon de Valera. He was one of the few remaining heroes of the Easter Rising (1916) and was also a celebrated figure among the Irish of eastern Massachusetts, New York, Chicago and elsewhere in North America.

Eamon de Valera, President of Ireland from 1959-1973.

Mary Robinson, first female President of Ireland (1990-97)

After going through the crown rooms of the Castle, it was time to go to the Cathedral. A short five minute walk found me at the entrance to Christ Church, seat of the Church of Ireland.

Nave, Christ Church Cathedral (above and below)

Nave and transept, Christ Church Cathedral

Tiled floor, Nave of Christ Church Cathedral

Tiled floor of the south chapel, Christ Church Cathedral

Altar and sanctuary, South Chapel, Christ Church Cathedral

A scene from the Crypt, Christ Church Cathedral (above and below)

This brings us to the titular cat and rat. The two were found, mummified, inside the great organ. They are now framed and placed next to the Crypt toilets.