If you do not like crowds stay away from Edinburgh in August. If you want to be a part of the biggest arts festival in the World then head to the Scottish capital. Edinburgh comes alive throughout the month as men in kilts share the streets with men in underwear juggling knives atop a ladder as part of the Fringe Festival.
I was lucky enough to have friends living in Edinburgh. I again stayed with Sandy and Alyce for a few nights because accommodation is very expensive and hard to come by.
I was swept up in all the excitement and spent four days watching some very funny and not so funny comedians. The most acclaimed comedian I saw was Australian Wil Anderson. His one hour stand up show 'Wilosophy' was hilarious and also helped me catch up on some of the Australian news I had missed in the last four months. My second favourite comedian was Kevin Tomilson who used audience comments as part of his sketch comedy show.
I spent the nights drinking underneath a giant upside down blow up purple cow and other beer gardens with friends and strangers. The Scots love the festival as much as the tourists and they love to share their tips with the newcombers such as myself.
When I couldn't decide who to watch I just walked up and down the Royal Mile in the centre of town where street performers entertain thousands of onlookers. This is also where I got a quick glimpse of the Military Tattoo. Marching bands from all over the world come and perform at the foot of the castle throughout August. I stood and watched as they all filed out to the sound of bagpipes.
I also spent a bit of time exploring the city and did a few tours to learn the stories of horrific murders and executions which took place in the city. I also went through the Castle to see the Scottish Crown jewels and the coronation stone. I also stopped in at Greyfriars Kirkyard. A site many say is the most haunted place on Earth. Dolly the sheep the World's first cloned mammal is stuffed and placed inside the National Museum and so I went to see it. Funnily enough it looked like a stuffed sheep.
I am not a big fan of Harry Potter, I have only read the first novel but I can appreciate why it is so popular. After visiting Edinburgh where JK Rowling started the series I can see who see came up with some of her crazy storylines.
My Edinburgh experience was complete after the last comedian I watched on his last joke was heckled by an audience member. I thought I was gong to leave the Fringe without hearing somebody heckle a comedian.
I was lucky enough to have friends living in Edinburgh. I again stayed with Sandy and Alyce for a few nights because accommodation is very expensive and hard to come by.
I was swept up in all the excitement and spent four days watching some very funny and not so funny comedians. The most acclaimed comedian I saw was Australian Wil Anderson. His one hour stand up show 'Wilosophy' was hilarious and also helped me catch up on some of the Australian news I had missed in the last four months. My second favourite comedian was Kevin Tomilson who used audience comments as part of his sketch comedy show.
I spent the nights drinking underneath a giant upside down blow up purple cow and other beer gardens with friends and strangers. The Scots love the festival as much as the tourists and they love to share their tips with the newcombers such as myself.
When I couldn't decide who to watch I just walked up and down the Royal Mile in the centre of town where street performers entertain thousands of onlookers. This is also where I got a quick glimpse of the Military Tattoo. Marching bands from all over the world come and perform at the foot of the castle throughout August. I stood and watched as they all filed out to the sound of bagpipes.
I also spent a bit of time exploring the city and did a few tours to learn the stories of horrific murders and executions which took place in the city. I also went through the Castle to see the Scottish Crown jewels and the coronation stone. I also stopped in at Greyfriars Kirkyard. A site many say is the most haunted place on Earth. Dolly the sheep the World's first cloned mammal is stuffed and placed inside the National Museum and so I went to see it. Funnily enough it looked like a stuffed sheep.
I am not a big fan of Harry Potter, I have only read the first novel but I can appreciate why it is so popular. After visiting Edinburgh where JK Rowling started the series I can see who see came up with some of her crazy storylines.
My Edinburgh experience was complete after the last comedian I watched on his last joke was heckled by an audience member. I thought I was gong to leave the Fringe without hearing somebody heckle a comedian.
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