I really am too old for this...

I arrived in Edinburgh on Tuesday evening, and found my way to the hostel relatively easily. It is right at the top end of Princes Street so it is local to all the main places which is fantastic. The hostel itself, well... it is awesome. But I have to say, I believe I am getting past the whole 'hostel' thing. I am admitting here (quietly) that I am getting old. (I said quietly!) So, before I tell you about Edinburgh itself... I would like to first post something I'd like to call; 'I really am too old for this!'

The hostel is really nice. It gets points from me because it is clean. That is WAY up there on my list of priorities for anywhere to lay my head. The walls are cool... arty, and LOUD. In fact I found myself squinting away when I walked out of my room this morning, as every wall is a different colour. Loud colours. Not your muted shades, but bright green, yellow, red, orange and blue. My room is nice enough I suppose. I had somehow forgotten that I booked a 'mixed' dorm of 12... so upon entering was surprised to see three guys, shirts off - drinking at a small table in the corner. The room also smelt like boys. And for those who know me well, know that my sense of smell seems to be quite keen... so I walked into the room and was instantly bombarded by the stench of smelly socks, filthy washing and farts all carefully masked by the aroma of spray on deodorant. I really am too old for this.

I found my bed- bed number four. There are six bunk sets in this room, and number four is up on top... I'm not a fan of the top bunk, but I organised my things, locked all my valuables into the too small locker and got organised to go out and find some food. Of course when I climbed down from the top bunk I leaned on the free standing stacked locker for support, only to find it didn't seem to be anchored to the ground and sent it swaying. Yeesh. Across the road from the hostel was a pub called Ryan's. Perfect. I had haddock and chips (and a couple of Malibu and Cokes) and read over the handful of brochures to work out a plan of what I would do for the next two days. A man walked past at once point and handed me a brochure of his free comedy hour, which was to take place downstairs. I figured I had nothing better to do, so went along. It was excellent and I'm pleased I went. I came back to the hostel and got organised for bed, finally falling asleep around 12am. It is hard to get to sleep when you're in a room of twelve and people are coming in and out. The three boys who were drinking when I had first arrived had now gone, but I knew they'd be back at some point... I was right. At about 5am there was a crash at the door, some fumbling with the keycard and then some guys fell into the room, laughing and then saying 'Shhhhh!'.... I really am too old for this. 

The next twenty minutes I lay there with my eyes wide open, thinking about how I was too old for this. I got to listen to how the 19 year old 'hooked up' with a Swedish girl with dimples, followed by a full-on description of how he kissed her, followed by another guy saying 'Shhh' as loudly as he could, followed by the third guy falling off the top bunk and effing and blinding about how he landed on someone elses bag and something sounded like it broke. Really. I am too old for this! I woke up in the morning before everyone else, at about 7.45am and ventured out to the bathroom for a shower. Interesting. Nowhere to put my stuff. The shower cubicle was just that, a shower cubicle. Nowhere to hang a towel. And certainly no room to swing a cat! I really am too old for this.

I ended up undressing in the toilet, wrapping my towel around me, getting into the shower cubicle, stripping the towel off and as I stood naked in the cubicle - quick as a flash hanging my towel onto the hook outside before slamming the door behind me and turning on the shower. Freezing cold. Then boiling hot. Then something in-between. I really am too old for this. I came back to the room and everyone was still sound asleep, some sleeping off a night of drinking, and the aroma of boozy breath invaded my nostrils. My stomach churned. I really am too old for this. 

I needed to charge my camera battery, so plugged that in and then decided to fill in the time it would take to charge that I would go and take advantage of the included breakfast - cereal, toast, coffee...awesome. I won't talk too much about the several incredibly hung over looking people in the room, standing like zombies at the toast machine and putting their knives in the butter, then the jam, then the marmite... and then one of them gagged for a bit and ran from the hall, hand over their mouth. I really am too old for this. 

So, it is a nice hostel - and one I would recommend. For younger people. The people I have met have been friendly, but I think a lot of people have a different attitude to traveling than I do. Perhaps I am missing out on something, but it has to be said that I would prefer to sight-see than go all the way to another country just to look at the inside of a toilet as I empty the contents of my stomach. It just doesn't appeal. I really am too old for this.

On the bright side - there is free wi-fi (hoorah!) and the mattress is relatively comfortable. Tomorrow I have the day until about 4pm to spend in Edinburgh, before getting on a coach to Glasgow which takes about one hour. And when I arrive in Glasgow? I have a room. ALL-TO-MY-SELF. 

Cheery bye :)