Swimming with Frogs: Edinburgh

So, you might not find this funny, but I had to take a picture and share it with you.

The friends/semi-relatives (what do you call your brother's wife's sister?) we stayed with in Edinburgh have a beautiful apartment. Tall ceilings, big windows, beautiful details. Admittedly, it's a little on the small side, especially now that they have two adorable (but rambunctious) boys and still use it as a home office. But what a great location! Walking distance to, like, everything.

They've rearranged some things (like the kitchen) and instead of the very European way of putting the washing machine in the kitchen (why would you do that anyway?) my friend (who is American) opted to put it in the hall closet.

That sounds reasonable.

I guess it just looks funny.

Here's a normal looking hall closet, right off the main hallway (or make that the only hallway).

Can you see the washing machine? It's a little hard...

Okay, there.

Tell me that's not funny. I think I laughed every time she climbed under the coats and into the laundry room.

Number of suitcases and carry-ons we left France with: 4

Number of suitcases and carry-ons we returned to France with: 6

Number of books Mr. French bought while in Edinburgh, Scotland: 14

Number of items we brought with us that fell apart and needed to be replaced ASAP: 4

Number of times Mr. French went shopping on Prince's street: 1

Number of times I went shopping in Edinburgh (Prince's street or otherwise): 3

Earliest time we had to get up to travel: 5 AM

Total number of trains we took: 8

Total number of trains we were supposed to take: 11

Number of minutes between first train we took and second train we were supposed to take: 6

Number of minutes the first train we took was running late: 6

Number of conductors between first train and second train we asked for information: 1

Number of helpful conductors we talked to between first train and second train: 0

Amount in Euros it cost to travel from Chambery train station to Geneva Airport by taxi: 150

Number of times our flight was canceled: 1

Number of planes we were on during entire trip: 2

Number of take-offs on said planes: 3

Number of times we felt stupid when we found out that the plane we just got on was "stopping off" in Chambery: 245 (counting the one I just had)

Number of different countries visited on this trip: 3

Number of different countries now stamped in our passports: 1

Number of nice border-control-passport-stampers we met in Scotland who are also studying theology and were interested in Mr. French's study of a Calvinistic perspective of the arts: 1

Total number of minutes we spent with nice border-control-passport-stampers in Scotland: 2

Number of years since the first time Mr. French and I were in Edinburgh, Scotland together: 12.5

Number of years since the last time we were in Britain: 7

Number of years of marriage we celebrated at an Indian restaurant in Edinburgh: 7

Number of pictures of Mr. French and I together in the same picture 7 years ago: 0

Number of pictures of Mr. French and I together in the same picture this last trip: 6

Number of times Mr. French has complained about not having a picture of us on our honeymoon: 0

Number of times I have complained about not having a picture of us on our honeymoon: 392

Number of flower shops Mr. French visited on our anniversary: 2

Number of flower shops that were open: 0

Number of times Mr. French checked back to see if it was open throughout the day and days later: 12

Number of pictures we took of any child on our honeymoon: 0

Number of pictures we took of any child on this trip: 151

Number of pictures taken of S on or looking at a train: 42

Number of times S asked when we were getting on another train: 378

Number of castles we visited in Edinburgh: 1

Number of our children who got in free of charge: 2

Approximate cost in dollars to get into Edinburgh castle: 50 (!)

Number of pints of draft Guiness Mr. French had while in Edinburgh: 4

Number of pints C had: 0

Number of trips to museums by Mr. French: 2

Number of different museums visited by Mr. French: 1

Number of tourists in Edinburgh to celebrate Hogmanay (New Year's Eve): thousands upon thousands

Time the celebration was officially canceled due to high winds: 10:30 pm

Number of tourists who will probably not attempt Hogmanay in Edinburgh next New Year's Eve: thousands upon thousands