Thrift, thrift, newbies
Get thee to a charity shop. Fast. Avoid retail stores except when absolutely necessary for an article of clothing, and even then, buy things on offer. Typically, shoes are not a good option at charity shops because of the yeech factor, size issues, and condition. But even here, there are exceptions. I found the best charity shops to be in Morningside and Stockbridge because these tend to be affluent areas where people donate items they don’t want or that don’t fit them.
Another exception to the rule to purchase at charity shops are 2 very essential items of your kit: (1) a warm and waterproof jacket with a hood; (2) a waterproof pair of boots. It’s o.k. to drop a little bit of coin on these bits because you will be wearing them a lot. While they can be a little dear, I would also suggestion merino wool liners and socks. Don’t spend too much money on nice shoes. The cobblestone streets in Edinburgh are pretty rough on them.
If you or your spouse attend New College, there is an exchange that permits people to buy and sell many very useful clothes and household items. Here’s a link where you can check it out: https://www.facebook.com/groups/551363685040290/
Learn the time of day on which the good offers are put out at Tesco, Sainsbury’s, M & S, and Lidl.
The Weather
Within reason, don’t let it stand in the way of something that you really want to do!
Music
If you are interested in traditional music, go to Coda at the top of the Mound. Coda has a fine selection of CDs and vinyl records, and it is one of the nerve centers for trad music in Edinburgh.
If you like music, get on the mailing list of Douglas and Jane Ann, a lovely couple who constantly host high-quality house concerts. I have seen Frank Vignola, Stephan Grossman, Mary Ann Kennedy, and Bruce Molsky there. It’s 10 pounds per person, BYOB, and all proceeds go to the musicians. Here’s an email address that will help you find out more: 42music42@musician.org
If you like vinyl, check out Vox Box Records, which is on St. Stephens St. in Stockbridge.
Winters and “The Drink”
For me at least, the months between November and February were always the hardest. Daylight is significantly reduced during this period, and you can feel as though you wake up in a darkness that continues throughout a sunless, rainy, and cold day that is followed by an evening that starts at 4 p.m. The lack of sunlight has a physical and psychological effect on you that is sometimes not very cheerful. Walking about town, it can seem as though you are traveling from one cave to another. My advice is to take it easy on yourself during these months. You will need to sleep more than usual, and if your schedule permits, you should do this. I also take vitamin D. Does it help? I can’t say for sure, but it doesn’t cost much, and I tended to welcome all of the assistance that I could get.
This brings me to the subject of alcohol. People drink a lot over here, and it is easy to fall into the habit of overdoing it. During the winter months it is natural to be depressed and wonder why. Alcohol tends to intensify depression and anxiety, so take it easy on the sauce. This might be a little harder than your would imagine because one way that people cope with the effects of sunlight deprivation and hibernation is to imbibe. Only you will know where to draw the line, but do realize that you are more vulnerable during this time of the year, and the seemingly ceaseless darkness combined with the depressive effects of alcohol can make you more so.
A Word to the Wise
What travels faster than the speed of sound? Answer: gossip in Edinburgh. Edinburgh is hardly a small town, but this principle still holds true. Be careful about what you say regarding other people. While Edinburgh is a fairly large city, the circle of small, and things have a way of getting around. Similarly, you should assume that your conversations on public buses are being overheard by other passengers. I found this out on many occasions when, after chatting with the bus driver about how to find a specific place, someone would unexpectedly let me know that the next stop was where I needed to get off.
A word about those cute little black Edinburgh taxis that rattle around the city. They are not your friend. Don’t expect them to slow down for a nanosecond when you cross their path. You will be better off (and safer) by assuming that they will speed up when they see you!