Edinburgh (Part Deux)

That very night. Benito had an encounter of the third kind when he came into contact with the Fairy Queen. Her name was Lara, which is also the name of the main character in PHillip Pullman's classic 'Golden Compass' series. No doubt, Benito was pleased to make her acquaintance. They met under the full moonlight, or rather, the light from under the castle where they were destined to meet like... well, it was super! Benito asked, 'Can I call you Arwen?' 'No', she had said, 'Just call me Lara.' 'Lara Lewis?' 'No, just plain Lara.'
And so they met there under the Scott Memorial, dedicated to one Sir Walter Scott, author of 'Ivanhoe' and 'Waverley', which Lara had to read for school at Edinburgh. What a coincidence! Benito felt like a character from one of those novels as they spoke. Sweetness!
They walked off together into the night, well around the next corner, being treated to a special dish of muscels, cooked to perfection, and chatting away about this and that, it coming apparent that Benito was really looking forward to going to Japan. Lara too had heard of Japan, but had had only one friend that had traveled to such distant lands. ah, well, that's how the muscels break and their shells fall to the floor! But not tonight, oh not tonight. No, tonight was about something special. The look in her eye, the way she folded her napkin, all bespoke of one thing. What would that thing be, thought Benito in that instant. But nothing came to him all of a sudden, save that she spoke in a ridiculously cute accent, befitting her rank and class. Nothing could have prepared Benito for that moment. That moment in time. When everything else seemed as nothing, and the moment infinitely expandable in her eyes...
She showed him the castle after dinner (and what a sight it was!), and that was that.
Afterwards, Benito greatly enjoyed his stroll down Prince's Street, feeling as light as a feather! He felt as though he were floating, dressed as he was, and the night carried him forward towards the giant clock tower in the center of town, and onwards up the stairs to his dorm room. But that would not be the end of his adventures, for no sooner did he wake up then he knew what he wanted. Was it a violin? Nay, it was a kilt!
So, it was up and Adam for Benito. and he approached North Bridge, buying somehting special along the way. What it was for sure is uncertain, although it rhymes with 'built'. Trying it on, he thought it matched his specifications and immediately was impressed by it and continued on his merry way, after first asking directions to Dundee from a friendly Scot, who suggested he try flying to Dublin. Yes, it seems everyone was headed that way and that was surely what Benito had in mind as well. But first to the birthplace of one Harry Potter.
After a brief and largely uneventful stop in the National Library, and a brief adventure to read Aristotle's 'Ethics' in the Public Library across the way, Benito made it to that hallowed place with a view to die for. He entered in and ordered a Cafe Mocha, which unfortunately contained powdered milk, so that would not do at all. So, instead, he traded it in for a cappucino, which was quite sufficient. What a fuss! Oh, well, at least he had a little sandwich. Pee-yew! he said. Then he sat down in one of the 'Elephantile' seats to toast Ms. Rowling and feast his eyes on the castle.
After night had fallen and all had gone to bed, Benito made his way down the street to buy himself a nice woollen hat, which he wears to this day! And then on down to a pub where some nice Italians were just entering and that was quite commodious. He sat down for a nice sheep burger, which came highly recommended. Mmmmm... even better the second time around. But after making the acquaintance of a fellow in the restroom where they sold condoms for 1 pound each, Benito found himself mesmerized by the TV screen for there was football on the tele. Hmmmm... Well, no matter, Italian or no Italian, Benito would have his fun! So off he went with a quick 'Ciao, Ciao' to an Italian fellow chatting away on his cell, and down the street, receiving a text from the Fairy Queen, saying that she could not attend the Pub Crawl that evening. No matter. Benito would have his fun, no matter the odds! So he headed for the Filmhouse where he found a lot of people, which was also quite commodious. It was a good film overall about this lady from Monaco, who was a real slut but knew how to have a good time. Benito had been waiting in line behind this real swell chick, but did not initiate conversation ,which was lucky since he found her to have another German boyfriend at the time. But no matter, Benito would have his fun, so he enjoyed the French film, first in the series. And one of the ladies who was introducing the film, sat down in the empty chair next to Benito, or rather leaned in against it, so that it appeared as though she were carousing with Benito, then came up on stage to announce 'Bon projection!' And that was that. After about twenty minutes of adds. then, Benito went to put on his new item of clothing. Quite fab! And proudly paraded in front of the local strip clubs, which he did not enter on account of moral reasons... what, Benito has morals? Oh, man! Well, no matter, Benito would have his fun, so he continued along past all these different hot spots, finally coming to a place just off St. George's Square, which was called 'Candy'. There, Benito had a drink, then a chick bought him a drink and they got to talking. Well, that was something at least. Everyone was very pleased to hear that he was from DC. Chill, they all thought, and Benito felt like dancing, so he invited the chicks to join him, but they did not consider it such a dancing joint and suggested moving down the street, except they left without Benito and he was left to count his curds and whey, but no matter, Benito would have his fun, so he moved on down passed a couple of clubs on George's Street to finally get to Hanover Street, which kind of reminded Benito of the grocery store back in VT, but no matter, Benito would have his fun. So, he entered the Bar Napoli, to be greeted by some fellow Italians. 'Lui parla un po' Italiano, non?' 'Si, veramente, d'accordo.' So, he ordered una pizza e bira and was quite satisfied, staying for the terra missu as well. Well, not quite $1000, but getting there. 'Ciao, Benito!' said the patrone. And Benito moved on down the street towards the next stop on the little tour, which was back to Prince's Street. haha. That was swell. It had been a good time in Edinburgh. And the next day was just peachy for it was time to check out of the Hostel. Oh, man. Well, Benito was up to the challenge and finally nailed down a meeting place ,after finding a Post Office to mail his postcards that he had written at the Elephant House. He bought some coffee from a girl named Catherine who had ball-boyed for the Australian Open, Benito was pleasaed ot learn. Then went in John Lewis for a spell before finding the Post Office, and being sequestered by a beautiful young blonde lady, wanting Benito to buy some expensive purses as a gift. 'Thanks, but no thanks!' said Benito, although he was extracted to some shoes in the front of the local Foot Locker. They have foot Locker in Edinburgh? First I heard. Well, St. James Shopping Center was quite the place. Anyway, Benito continued along without a hitch, for he still wanted to buy some scarves at a special rate, then meet up with Caroline for a class or two. But the bag proved more than Benito could manage and he ended up giving up after climbing two flights of stairs and several other appendages, walking a man all dressed up in Scottish Regalia walking down the street, and finding a store with some Spanish retailers selling cashmere. 'Thanks, but no thanks!' said Benito. And continued on to the next store were he found a two for one special being sold by an Indian man. 'Hello, Indian man!' said Benito. 'My name is Abu; I live in a shoe!' said the man. Well, that was all well in good, but where would Benito sleep if he did not catch his train! Then they parted ways, and Benito made his way to the Mound, where he considered going in both the Scottish Naitonal Gallery and the Castle. But neither option appealed to Benito, so he went down the Mound to some sort of a Central Park, where he wrote a little poem about his predicament which went something like this:

"Why am I so tired?
What the hell am I doing right now?
Why am I torturing myself like this?
C'est la vie?
C'est la distinguishing feature of the night!"

So, Benito made it to the John Knox statue afterall, and the school of Divinity. Ooh, Divinity? Well, maybe next time, and everything was on-line. Jumping on the train, he made his way north to Cupar, en route to St. Andrew's and the home of golf!