Well, we made it and things are going great. Almost. The trip to Charlotte was smooth, and security was easier than expected. We went to the USAirways Lounge which was great except Mama wanted to be in the smoking area. It's the same as the other side of the lounge but it's a smoke pit. After 2 Jackie D's, my mom was ready to go. We had great seats in the center together. She saw 3 movies- Monsters Inc., Star Trek, and something else. I had my 4 foot stack of magazines I needed to read. I slept for about 5 hours, but she didn't. I told her to but she didn't. I don't know how she made it through yesterday, but she did great.
The Balmoral Hotel is beautiful- but Mama had a meltdown that the room we first went to was non-smoking! Meltdown #2, 3, & 4 happened when we realized the bathtub, the streets and access to most of the bar restrooms being down circular staircases were not very friendly to mobility-challenged people. We ate the Royal Cafe near the hotel- very beautiful detail inside. Walking back my mom bought some Anderson clan memorabilia and a festive Scottish cap.
Today we walked from the hotel across the bridge to the Royal Mile. It was raining off and on, but we made it to one end to Holyrood Castle & Abbey and the Queen's Gallery. There was a great audio tour of every room. Mama climbed up the tower to Mary Queen of Scots bedroom. The gardens were stunning as well as the ruins of the attached Abbey. We made our way back and had lunch and a pint at an extremely old tavern. The Scotch pie and fries we had were delicious. I bought a beautiful pair of black shoes at Gordon Nicolson Kiltmakers. They are traditional Scottish loafers, but everyone in the U.S. will say- "I like your pilgrim shoes."
My mom has been fascinated with asking questions and buying things around the Anderson clan- she did find out that the Andersons were originally Vikings- sons of Anders. Tomorrow, Edinburgh Castle and the Military Tattoo.
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