I don’t remember specific meals as much more significant than any others in my (Matt) life. I like to think I eat to live rather than vice-versa. For the last several days, however, a single meal stands out in my memory. This is new for me. Perhaps it has something to do with our intentions of spending no more than 10 Euros for food. For four young men. A day. That’s about $13.50. In other words, we’ve been adjusting to a diet meager in comparison to most enjoyed by Americans, including ourselves two weeks ago. The guys tease me about how I don’t have much weight to lose.
Anyway, Thursday morning in Edinburg, David and I left the Dans in comfortable hostel beds to sleep off their late night explorations. We followed the cute hostel employee’s directions to a nearby discount grocery store, Lidl, to replenish our supply. While David stayed with the car in our pseudo parking spot, I headed for the store with our money. Before you question David’s sanity in entrusting a hungry me in a grocery store with our limited finances, remember we’re all pretty frugal. I spent 76 pence on two loaves of white bread, £1.26 on six free range chickens’ eggs, and a pound on unsmoked bacon strips. That’s the best three pounds, five pence I’ve ever spent on food. Admittedly, it was the first three pounds, five pence I’ve ever spent on food. Back at the hostel, the shopping spree provided a meal we continue to discuss in hushed, reverent tones. I borrowed some butter out of the hostel fridge and we ate our first hearty brunch. It was delicious. On a related note, Scottish bacon is absolutely magical. Imagine lightly-browned, well-buttered toast complimenting light, scrambled eggs with a hint of salt. The bacon, which we lovingly fried until just crisp enough to retain its tenderness, created a savory celebration of sweetness in our mouths. This was no American, wanna-be bacon; this was Scottish bacon.
We have agreed to splurge on area foods and this was our second such dish. Our first occurred in Gallway of delicious Irish Shepherds’ Pie and traditional Irish Stew. The future looks bright with possible dishes like whiskey in Scotland, fish and chips in England, etc. We’re wondering if you have any suggestions for local dishes to try along our route. We’d appreciate any ideas! Until then, however, the Edinburgh brunch will remain most significant in our taste buds’ memories.
Matt
I don’t know what route you are taking on your way down into England, from Scotland, if you head toward the Salisbury Plains, you’ll go down toward Stonehenge. I’m assuming you will want to see that, and it is quite awesome. You won’t be able to get that close to the upright monoliths, but you will have a good view of them. Before you get down that far, there is a little village, Avebury, where there are also a number of upright stones, actually much older than Stonehenge. It is a much larger area than Stonehenge and you can actually walk in and around among the stones. Enjoy.
The Beautiful Little Castle I was going to tell you about, is called Leeds Castle, and parts of it date back to the early 12th century. Maybe you’re tired of castles by now, but this one is a beauty. It is built in a lake, and the fact that it is, for the most part, surrounded by water, helped immensely in its defenses. It is just off the M20, running between London and Folkestone.
Si usted no ha visto ya demasiadas las Catedrales, en la parada en Canterbury. Asegúrese de ver el Príncipe Negro.
Canterbury también tiene algunos buenos Fish & chips Shoppes.
oder vielleicht sollten Sie praktizieren Sie Ihr Deutsch:
Wenn Sie noch nicht gesehen zu viele Kathedralen, Stop bei Canterbury. Vergewissern Sie sich, um zu sehen, die Black Prince.
Canterbury hat auch einige gute Fish & Chip Shoppes.
Hey Matt! I’m enjoying Sunday night pizza at the Wolfer’s at the moment. Of course, we miss you and your dad but we are surviving. Joel and I both took David driving this afternoon and he did great! So the big question from me is: did you EVER finish that paper??? If not, this is your friendly reminder to email it!
Isaiah says hello. He is enjoying lots of Wolfer toys at the moment. Are you guys going to Glasgow? Let us know if you are. We have good friends there and can give you contact info.
The CUTE hostel employee, eh Matt?
hehe…just kidding.
Thanks for keeping the rest of us included in your adventures…I’m jealous!
Thanks much for the updates. We check them for them often. I’m sorry about the hubcap….it’s happened before.
Your “friendly mother” delighted in your story about the Scotish bacon! We’re praying for you.
So, I’m too late to suggest any meals, but I’ll definitely let you know if you mention something I too enjoyed. It really is wonderful how cheap food is in the grocery stores of the UK.