Halloween weekend

On Friday, I went out with a few of my friends to experience Halloween in Edinburgh. I dressed as a girl from the 70s, haha. After a French dinner made by Aurore, we headed to the Royal Mile.

The parade on the Royal Mile was crazy-- I've never seen anything like it.

I met two Statues of Liberty!

Neil, Eleni, and Colin all dressed up

Here are some more photos of the parade on the Royal Mile, or the Fire Festival.


Pretty darn weird.

Saturday was a beautiful day, so I headed out and took some more photos of Edinburgh.

Imposing castle in the background

Outside the Parish of St. Cuthbert-- according to tradition, Christian worship has been practiced continuously on this site for over 13 centuries. There is a really cool cemetery outside it with with all kinds of interesting headstones.

The Grassmarket area in Edinburgh-- very quaint.

Last night, I watched some election coverage with a few American friends, Tom and Kyle, in Kyle's flat on the Royal Mile. We were all pretty exhausted, though, so we only made it to about 2 a.m.-- which is only 9 p.m. in New York time. A lot of bars stayed open late so that people could watch Obama win (there is almost universal support of the Democratic party here, from what I've seen).
This evening is Guy Fawkes Night, which is basically an excuse for British people to have bonfires and set off lots of fireworks. It's a celebration of the foiling of the Gunpowder Plot, which took place on November 5 in 1605, when some conspirators (including Guy Fawkes) made an attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament. Of course, they failed, which gives Scots all the more reason to create little statues of Guy Fawkes and burn them while drinking lots of whisky.

Remember, remember the Fifth of November,

The Gunpowder Treason and Plot,

I can think of no reason

Why the Gunpowder Treason

Should ever be forgot.

Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, t'was his intent

To blow up the King and Parli'ment.

Three-score barrels of powder below

To prove old England's overthrow;

By God's providence he was catch'd

With a dark lantern and burning match.

Holloa boys, holloa boys, let the bells ring.

Holloa boys, holloa boys, God save the King!