When I heard that JK Rowling used to write the Harry Potter books in a cafe in Edinburgh, I knew I couldn't leave Scotland without visiting it. The two cities are so close, travelling between them is like taking a train from Queens to upper Manhattan.Edinburgh is bigger than Glasgow but still small enough so that everything is within walking distance. The city sort of looks like a valley, with a river in the middle and the city situated on the hills surrounding the river. It has some of the most amazing architecture I've seen. It's really strange seeing stores such as Top Shop and KFC in these ancient looking buildings. You have constantly have to look up so you can see the statues and sculptures decorating the city.
Back to Harry Potter. The cafe is called The Elephant House. It's a cozy little cafe known for its coffees and teas that also serves food and dessert. They have pictures up of JK Rowling writing the books. But the coolest part is the bathroom. One of the toilet seats has actually been changed to a Harry Potter themed seat. And people have left quotes and messages all over the bathroom walls. Some of my personal favorites are "Mischief Managed," "The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death," and "I am not scared Harry, I am with you." Many people wrote to Rowling, thanking her for her story and changing people's lives. It almost reminded me of Oliver Wilde's tombstone in Paris, where people had written quotes and thanks all over it. It's amazing to see how many fans have come to the cafe simply because she used to write there. I wonder if she's ever been back and read all the messages?One of the doors also has directions on how to find Thomas Riddell's grave in the cemetery nearby. His name is supposed to be the inspiration for Tom Riddle but I wonder if the name Lord Voldemort came to her mind first or if she used Thomas Riddell to come up with Tom Marvolo Riddle and then rearranged the letters to form I am Lord Voldemort? So many questions!
