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.

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

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.