From my kitchen window, I have a beautiful view of the famous Edinburgh Castle on the hill, a landmark visible from nearly every place in the city. Culturally and physically, Edinburgh is a world unlike any other. Because Edinburgh is so close to the Firth of Forth, which opens to the North Sea, the weather is extremely unpredictable. The sky is usually gray, the air is always damp and it rains almost everyday. Many men enjoy wearing kilts and traditional dress, and at any given hour, you can hear bagpipes or sample haggis on the Royal Mile.
Life revolves around food and good drink, and the pub is the center for any social activity.
Also, it is extremely difficult for a non-Brit to cross the street. Pedestrians must watch out for cars, bikes and mopeds making sudden left, not right, turns. Steering wheels are on the right side of the vehicle, and cars are tiny. Sidewalks often designate an area for bicyclists. These little differences will diversify my experience this year.