Poszliśmy na private view nowej wystawy w Saatchi Gallery, którą media określają jako przełomową, bo ponoć Saatchi znowu zdołał odkryć kilka talentów. Hmmmm, być może, ale w sumie to tylko jakaś 1/3 wystawy mi się podobała - zwykle ta średnia jest nieco wyższa. Był też polski akcent, bo wśród artystów była Goshka Macuga. A mnie się najbardziej podobali ludzie w rogu.

Oglądanie w teatrze coś co jeszcze niedawno oglądało się w telewizji to ciekawe doświadczenie... Ciekawie zrobiona kontrowersyjna sztuka, ale jestem w stanie zrozumieć, że w Nowym Jorku się nie spodobała.
Pawłowi najbardziej się oczywiście podobało jak zaczęli machać mieczami świetlnymi a la Gwiezdne Wojny.

Na koniec długiego weekendu odrobina kultury. Tak, znowu znalazłam jakąś promocję na bilety... Ale tym razem mieliśmy super miejsca, a i przedstawienie było całkiem niezłe. Porządna dawka angielskiego humoru.

I just watched Bad Lieutenant thanks to See Film First and I have to say, the film is excellent. Just as well, I can understand why quite a few people left the cinema. The story focuses on a very bizarre character and a few scenes might have been too much for people expecting a regular thriller. But it’s a film by Werner Herzog, so you really can’t expect anything normal! Nicholas Cage plays a cop in New Orleans with a back problem who develops a drug addiction. Perhaps this doesn’t sound like a most exciting story ever, but well done to Herzog; one of his best films in a while, a few amazing memorable scenes. He can really get the best out of his actors. I’m not a big fan of Cage, but it’s great to see him in such a role – definitely his best performance since Leaving Las Vegas. Ok, will say it, it might be an award winning performance.

For a nice dinner, go to Outsider, but you might want to book a table earlier. If you feel adventurous and want to remind yourself of student years, Monster Mash Cafe is your place. For a quick fix, go for a yummy roll at Oink Hog Roast. And for a tea and apple strudel The Hub in another transformed church is perfect.

And a few bars worth mentioning: super cosy Last Drop with its genius idea of giving people chalk to write on boards in the ladies’ toilet, White Hart Inn for being just normal, The Oxford Bar for being Ian Rankin’s Inspector Rebus’ favourite hunt and all red Kay’s Bar for good selection of ales and great atmosphere.

In terms of accommodation, it’s not easy to find bargains in Edinburgh and we opted for serviced apartments. Ours was located on Broughton Road (please note they have apartments all around the city and the quality varies, so people staying somewhere else, or even in a different room, might have a completely different opinion about them...), which was very convenient because of its proximity to Tesco. Really important if you’re staying for a few days and want to feel a bit like at home and buy snacks, wine, etc. Apartments are not luxurious, but good value for money. We had a small but comfortable room with all we needed and a garden just in case it was sunny. It wasn’t.

We started the day with a tasty (and huge, and loud...) breakfast at Where the Monkey Sleeps. Their Meathammer - or haggis and chorizo bagel as others would call it - is a must. A big glass of wine was drunk at Firebird conveniently located close to Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. We then tried Stravaigin for dinner, but it was all booked up. Call to avoid disappointment - it’s very popular and allegedly serves good food. But so does Oran Mor (resto, bar and a club all in one) not far from there. Plus you get an extraordinary location – it’s in an old church. My grandma would be delighted if she knew that I spent my birthday in a church... We stayed at Travelodge Central, so no surprises here other than it’s very conveniently located.