Gallery Post

2011, Edinburgh

January 2011

In January 2011, I traveled to the United Kingdom and Ireland. I visited London and Edinburgh, and then continued on to Galway and Dublin.

Edinburgh was one of the most memorable cities I visited, especially because of its deep sense of history. The city had a quiet dignity, and the sky was strikingly blue, almost like the blue in the Scottish flag.

At the same time, Edinburgh felt somewhat solemn to me. I did not see many people who looked openly cheerful in the city. Perhaps it was the season, the weather, or simply the atmosphere of the old streets and stone buildings. Still, the people I met were very kind. Whenever I asked questions, they answered sincerely and gave me helpful information.

Edinburgh was also the first city where I watched a movie abroad. The film was Black Swan. Even though I had a VIP seat, I could not feel comfortable at all because the story was so tense and unsettling. After returning to Korea, I watched the movie again with Korean subtitles and was shocked by how different the story felt. Of course, it was actually the same movie. The only difference was that, this time, I understood it properly.

Edinburgh has a magnificent castle at the heart of the city. Its presence is powerful and unforgettable, and in some ways, it reminded me of Himeji Castle in Japan.

Edinburgh is also one of the cities I most regret not spending more time in. If I had had just one or two more days, I could have visited the Scottish Highlands. That missed opportunity still remains one of my biggest regrets from the trip.

Last updated: March 5, 2012