[Blue Zones] Just how many days should you give Edinburgh?

Walking through all these streets around the New Town makes the ever present wind and drizzle worth every step

EDINBURGH – Would five days be enough to immerse in Edinburgh’s vibrant streets and colorful past? Probably not.

I told a friend you would not even be scratching the surface.

While navigating around the Royal Mile cold and trying to finding my way home, I was lucky to bump into the National Museum which has a surprising interior. Bright and looking up at 4 stories of open corridors (or balconies) looking down at the main hall. Of interest was the Fashion and Style Gallery. As you can tell, I was teeing myself up for some shopping. Which, thankfully I discovered, was north and downhill from the Royal Mile at St. James Square.

This is a familiar mall walk very much like our very own Ayala Malls with the very same brands, the John Lewis department store (the British Rustan’s, if you will) and the usual browse through drug store cosmetics. Out of the mall, you may spill over onto some sunshine and cross St. Andrews Square and I suddenly realized that I know where I am and feel hopeful. It’s dry and warm enough to have a glass of wine outdoors.

If you’re just having a drink, you can walk directly to the bar and put in your order and take your drink outside. You need reservations for lunch or dinner but eating at odd hours (merienda time) will almost always guarantee a free table for you.

Having fortified myself, I am now on the edge of The New Town of Edinburgh, a UNESCO heritage site. It starts at St Andrews Square with Lord Melville’s Monument through the main drag which is George Street ending in Charlotte Square and St. George Cathedral.

I wander with a swagger down the road popping into boutiques, looking out for end of summer sales. Oh yes, also to stop and admire the statues marking each intersection, most notably (to me) King George IV, which marks my way home.

I have had the good fortune of being billeted in a “mews” house in The New Town. The “mews” house is popular in modern day Edinburgh (and the rest of the United Kingdom) as a trendy residence with mostly chic interiors. 

Around the 17^th century, the mews were stables in the rear of the house with living quarters above. The “mews” gets its name from the royal stables near Charing Cross where the King kept his hawks during molting (mew) season. Feeling the romance yet?

Walking through all these streets around the New Town makes the ever present wind and drizzle worth every step.

Rose Street is famous for restaurants and pubs decorated with flowers gayfully welcoming visitors. High quality steaks and fresh oysters were my favorites – while fish and chips might be the obvious choice, I opted for my “pretend” keto diet. And sorry, no Haggis for me. Like most Filipino dishes, Haggis is an acquired taste. 

Stockbridge – the foragers heaven

Just a few thousand steps from my “home” is Stockbridge. The main street offers trendy boutiques, a bespoke chocolate shop, an offering of Italian, Spanish, and Japanese restaurants. The fish monger with the fresh catch of the day, the butcher offering quality cuts, fresh breads at the local bakers, pastries, cannoli, attractive artisan cookies making one stop and seriously consider carbs.

I spot a sign saying “to Botanical Gardens” but decide to stay close to home and inspect the Scran and Scallie gastropub across the street. The menu offers “modern Scottish” food and the place is packed. And no wonder since they are a holder of a Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand. 

How all this is on my more or less one kilometer walk up and down the Stockbridge main street, I’ll never know. Well, Google knows. It was a traditional market established for independent vendors in the early 19^th century but was closed in 1906. One can guess that the natural evolution would be this borough with an incredible array of retailers and a choice of restaurants that would rival that of any major capital. A microcosm of all good things internationally. Stockbridge becomes my almost daily destination because it is constantly offering new things every time. And, the biggest reason for these daily visits are the charity shops with books, vinyl, jewelry and vintage clothing, This is the most fun for the Queer Eye for the Straight Guy type of person.

They have a Sunday market offering fresh berries, hand-made silver jewelry, clothing  and a couple of giant paellas – and I mean blockbuster pans at least 5 feet across! Well that’s lunch then,

As I walk through the back streets I see the odd elderly man sunning himself while enjoying his morning tea. Some people puttering about their backyards, making me say to myself, Thoreau’s “where I live and how I live.” Feeling very Blue Zone-y here. 

These Scots are made of hardy stock, friendly, funny with a sardonic sense of humor if you can get past the accent. – Rappler.com

Bing Caballero returns to the literary scene after a long hiatus. She may be remembered for Ishmael Bernal’s Broken Marriage (Urian best screenplay with Jose Carreon) and her Palanca Award for Poetry Songs in Three Continents. The column’s name was inspired by Dan Beuttner’s work on the world’s blue zones.