The best way I can describe the glasshouses at the botanical gardens is that they are quite like a zoo but without the animals. Before you get too confused, let me explain...

 

Each house is like a different animal exhibit. They all have different climates cultivated for the plants' needs. One room is a humid rainforest, the next an arid desert, then the tropics, and even an aquarium for the water-thriving plants. Some plants are friendly, meek and soft while others are towering, spikey and dramatic. Some stretch up high towards the sky like giraffes and some stay low to the ground like turtles, but none are of lesser value or lack the ability to impress. 

 

Species you never have heard of, and can't even pronounce, coexist in these cozy dwellings, and lush vegetation crowds each corner. Familiar ferns brush up against your ankles and soft air plants sweep the top of your head. 

 

You may not be able to feed these crazy animals but they will surely feed you with their brilliance. Every size, shape, and texture imaginable can be found here. The architecture and the shimmering glass of the houses alone are enough of a reason to visit. 

 

On a side note, the family is doing well in Edinburgh. I can't put my finger on it, but there is something that feels like home here. Maybe it's just the fact that English is their spoken language? It's definitely not the bagpipes being played by burly men on the streets, or the excessive amounts of cashmere stores, and definitely not the driving/walking on the left side of the road.  Despite all these little differences, we all feel pretty comfortable in our flat. We are just minutes away by bus from the city center and are surrounded by quaint little neighborhoods to walk around and enjoy. 

 

More little updates to come!