So, there's this little city called Edinburgh...

...and it's dreamy.
Hubby and I were in the UK over the Christmas and New Years {we go every other year to spend time with his family}, and we took a long, romantic weekend in Edinburgh, Scotland. I'd never been to Scotland before, so I had no idea what to expect. As soon as we stepped off the train and ascended the train station stairs into the heart of the city, I fell in love. It was snowy and cold {freezing, actually!}, but no colder than any of our Boston winters. The people were friendly - of course, everyone outside Boston and NYC seems extraordinarily, FREAKISHLY friendly to me. Anyway, I drank the BEST beer I think I've ever tasted in my life {Caledonia and St. Andrews...if you're ever in Edinburgh and love beer, give those two special local brews a go!}. I'm a huge fan of beer. Some would call me a beer snob of sorts and that's fine. I'll proudly claim that label.

It was a wonderful, surreal weekend. Basically, we did the typical tourist things. We wondered the cobbled streets, visiting cozy, warm pub after cozy, warm pub, went on a haunted tour of the city, visited the underground vaults, tried some haggis {sadly, I'm not a fan - ah, well.}, had the best sausages-n-mash I've ever tasted, spent hours at Edinburgh Castle, and visited more lovely pubs. Did I mention the lovely pubs? And the beer?

We were both extremely sad to leave. But the real sad part? I. DIDN'T. HAVE. MY. CAMERA.

I know. I suck. Boo.

It was breaking my heart, so we went and got the ONLY disposable camera we could find, which was an old school Kodak film disposable. The kind you have to wind up to get to the next exposure. The kind that gives you only 24 exposures. I was very  much annoyed by this at first, but you know what? I kind of liked being forced to enjoy my time there without being completely obsessed and CONSUMED with the need to try to take "amazing" photos at all times and in all situations, no matter the cost. I was able to actually experience a new city without constantly looking at it through a lens and thinking about composition and lighting...and it was lovely. And the Hubby was very appreciative {and dare I say relived?} that I gave the photog thing a rest for a bit. In fact, he actually did quite a bit of the photo-taking!

 Edinburgh Castle {breathtaking!}

Me, at the entrance to the castle.

Entering Edinburgh Castle.

Views of the city from the castle.

It's funny. I kind of  like these photos. I mean, they're noisy and grainy, and the compositions aren't anything to write home about. Yet those imperfections seem to give them a real sense of time and place and gives them a bit of character, no?

I feel like I now have a slightly different perspective on {perceived} aesthetics as it relates to photography, and I can honestly say that I am grateful I didn't have my own camera in hand...

That being said, I must also say that we will definitely be returning to Edinburgh {as well as other parts of  Scotland, I'm sure!}, and I will have at least one more chance to take a proper crack at this city!!!   ;)