Where in the World is Dakota?

Info Blurb

What started as a simple connecting flight turned into an unexpectedly charming adventure—complete with a vanishing earbud, a bus ticket quest, a knightly dinner companion, and a late-night ghost tour. My first day in Scotland had a little bit of everything: mystery, mishaps, and magic. ✨

🛫 Flight #2 – The Mysterious Vanishing Earbud 🎧💀✈️

After my airport marathon victory (see Scotland, Part 1.1), I was more than ready to sit down, catch my breath, and enjoy a peaceful flight. I found my seat, buckled in, queued up my playlist 🎶… and then—poof. My earbud vanished 😱.

One second, it was happily nestled in my ear 🎧. The next, it straight-up Houdini’d itself into another dimension 🌀. I froze, did the awkward pat-down-check-the-floor dance 🕵️‍♀️, then peered under the seat. My seat neighbors even joined the hunt—the person behind me snapped a few photos 📸 as we all searched every crack and corner. Nothing. Not even a hint, as if the wee thing had sprouted legs 🦵 and scampered off to explore Edinburgh on its own

The flight attendants, bless them 🙏, even helped me look once everyone had deplaned. We scoured the seat pockets, the floor, the carpet seams—anywhere it could’ve rolled or bounced. Still nothing. I took a picture of the sad, empty plane floor 📷 as evidence of my earbud’s mysterious disappearance.

RIP, little buddy 💔. You were good while you lasted 🎧💀.

🚌 The Great Bus Ticket Adventure 🚌🗺️

After saying my final goodbyes to the vanished earbud, I stepped off the plane ready for whatever Scotland had waiting for me next 🌄. First mission: figure out how to get into town.

Now, I’ve navigated airports before, but trying to buy a bus ticket after a full day of travel brain 🧠💤? That’s an Olympic event in itself 🏅. A few wrong lines ❌, one machine that refused to cooperate 🖥️, and at least two “Wait, am I even in the right place?” moments later—I finally had my ticket in hand 🎟️. Victory! 🏆

The bus ride itself was calm, scenic 🌳🏰, and exactly what I needed to decompress. I watched the city roll by—stone buildings 🏘️, green hills 🌿, a few locals walking dogs 🐕 that looked way too happy for how tired I was—and let it sink in: I was really here 🌄.

Next stop: finding my lodging 🏠. Or… at least trying to.

🏠 Checking In… Almost 🛎️😅

Getting to my lodging felt like the final stretch of an already eventful day. I followed my map 🗺️, took a few wrong turns (in true Dakota fashion 😉), and finally found the door—success! Or so I thought.

I punched in the entry code… nothing ❌. Tried again. Still nothing ❌. At that point, I stood there, luggage in hand 🧳, sweat threatening to make a comeback 💦, and just laughed 😆. Of course, I couldn’t get checked in—the worker wouldn’t be back for another 30 minutes ⏳. Why would anything today go smoothly?

And let’s be honest—I’m someone who does not do well when I’m hangry 😤🍴. Luckily, there was a cozy little place nearby 🍴 that looked promising for food and a quick break ☕, so off I went. If I couldn’t get inside, I might as well feed the hanger before it took control 🍽️.

🍽️ The First Meal (and My Introduction to Haggis) 🥘👑

Just a few steps away, I found a cozy spot that promised hearty Scottish fare 🐟 and a quiet place to regroup. I dropped my bags 🧳, ordered a drink 🍺, and decided to dive right in—when in Scotland, try the haggis, right?

It arrived fried 🍳, which I figured was a good sign. Everything’s better fried… and you know what? It actually was! Crispy on the outside, flavorful on the inside 😋, and paired with a rich, savory sauce 🍯 that pulled it all together. I went in cautiously and came out a haggis believer (well… at least the fried kind).

To top it off, my dining companion—if you can call it that—was a full suit of knight’s armor 🛡️ standing directly behind me. Between the cozy lighting 💡, the fried haggis 🍽️, and my silent, shiny guardian, I couldn’t help but feel a bit like a princess 👑 enjoying her royal feast. Little did I know, Scotland had even more fairytale moments waiting just around the corner ✨.

The place was warm and welcoming 🏡, with the kind of relaxed buzz that makes you forget how tired you are 😌. After polishing off my meal and feeling properly recharged 🔋, it was finally time to head back and check in for real—round two, here we go 🏠.

🗺️ Exploring the Neighborhood (and an Unexpected Ghostly Encounter) 👻🌙

Once I finally settled in, I couldn’t resist heading back out to explore 🏞️. The evening air was cool and crisp, with fall leaves swirling around 🍂, the kind that wakes you up no matter how long your day’s been 😴. The streets glowed softly under old lamplight 🏮, cobblestones slick from an earlier mist 🌫️, and everything felt just a little enchanted ✨—like I’d wandered straight into a storybook 📖.

I meandered past stone buildings 🏘️ and narrow lanes, catching glimpses of cozy pubs 🍺 and tucked-away shops 🛍️, all humming with quiet life. It was the kind of place where every turn felt like it had a secret waiting to be discovered 🗝️.

And then, as if the night wasn’t magical enough already 🌌, I signed up for a free ghost tour 👻. Because who doesn’t love a little haunted history to round out their first night in Scotland?

During the tour, I got to see the crypt of Bloody Mackenzie 🩸⚰️ (Outlander fans will know who this is) and, from behind a locked gate, the Covenanter’s Prison 🏰🔒—an area notorious for extreme paranormal activity 👻💀. The Scottish government keeps it locked unless you sign heavy legal documents 📝⚠️, so just getting a glimpse felt like stepping into a forbidden world.

We wandered through centuries-old closes and courtyards 🏰 as the guide spun eerie tales of restless spirits and ancient mischief 👻🕯️. Afterward, I actually looked up some of the stories online, and—surprisingly—they are all based on real legends and beliefs 🧐📚. The chill in the air might’ve been the wind… or maybe not. Either way, it was the perfect ending to a day that had already felt like three rolled into one ⏳.

By the time I made it back to my room 🛏️, the city had quieted 🌙, and so had I—finally ready for some well-earned rest before whatever adventure came next ✨.

Fried haggis I don’t remember the name of this, but YUM!

Now a variety of pictures from just out walking close to where I was staying, basically around Princes Street.

The came the GHOST TOUR!

The walk back to my bed had some gorgeous views also.