Matt was sick all Saturday so we didn't have a chance to go out and spend money. To make up for this, Sunday night Kim, Matt and I went to the cinema to see The Last King of Scotland.
At first we could not be sure why the movie was called this. It's about the president of Uganda in 1970, Armin (sp), and a young Scottish doctor who traveled to Uganda to do charity work with another doctor. Through a stroke of odd luck, Nicholas Garrigan (the doctor) ends up meeting and "befriending" Armin. The story is based on true events, and takes you through the frivolous liftestyle of the president and into the seedy underbelly of the government, including the Brits' involvement.
Armin is shown in a kilt at least once, and his soldiers sometimes wear kilts while marching in the streets. His entertainment is Scottish music. One of his sons loves Scottish football. What he tells Nicholas is that the Scots have asked him to come vanquish the British from Scotland as he has successfully done in Uganda. For all we can tell, this is why it's called "The Last King of Scotland."
The movie was fabulous. Absolutely terrifying (not to mention the freaky commercials before the movie begin--the UK really knows how to get your attention) and really uncomfortable to watch at times, the knowledge that this movie was based on true events makes it even more gut wrenching.
Totally enjoyable, and only £4.50 with the student discount. Still $9.00, but worth it. They serve ice cream at the theaters here, too, so I got myself a mint chocolate chip cup. The weather yesterday was SO warm (46F) and mild, no wind, and very pleasant. We walked back after the movie, which took probably about an hour, but the walk felt pretty good.
I have my first presentation on Wednesday and my first paper due next Monday. Wish me luck! I sure am nervous!
-A-
Monday, January 29, 2007
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Friday Night Opium
Wow. Last night was so much fun!
Kim, Matt, Daniel, Oscar, John, and someone whose name I forget (and feel really bad about that!) went out to a bar called Opium on Cowgate. We got there around 11 or so. They had a jukebox playing through the speakers, so we got to hear really good music...mostly American stuff. We kind of goofed around for awhile, and then decided to walk to Frankenstein, but they were closing (most bars close at 1 here but the clubs stay open till 3).
We searched for some other clubs, including Espionage (but we weren't wearing the right foot attire to get in--elitist bastards) and the Liquor Room, but that cost 5 pounds to get in and no way as I paying $10 for a club. So back to Opium we went, got ourselves a little corner, and proceeded to dance the night away and take tons of photos. It was really, really fun. We got back a bit after 3, hung out in the kitchen making food and listening to the Fratellis (a GREAT Scottish band) and Rod Stewart (who is Scottish also).
Today I had a bit of an annoyance. Our dorm turns the heat and hot water off from 11am to 6pm and I wanted a shower! We did write a petition so hopefully they'll turn those back on. It's not fair, especially on weekends, to make us freeze and wait to take a shower.
Tonight we may be going on a ghost hunt that they sponser here. We're not quite sure yet. But last night was REALLY fun, and there are new pics up if you care to see them. For my first official late night out in Edinburgh, it was really fantastic.
I'm thinking of getting a bus pass so that at night I don't have to walk in the cold. It's 30 pounds a month, and if I use the bus twice daily it will be more than worth the money. Daniel has one and says it saves him tons of cash. So I will think about that. I'll be here 4 more months...I may as well look into it!
-A-
Kim, Matt, Daniel, Oscar, John, and someone whose name I forget (and feel really bad about that!) went out to a bar called Opium on Cowgate. We got there around 11 or so. They had a jukebox playing through the speakers, so we got to hear really good music...mostly American stuff. We kind of goofed around for awhile, and then decided to walk to Frankenstein, but they were closing (most bars close at 1 here but the clubs stay open till 3).
We searched for some other clubs, including Espionage (but we weren't wearing the right foot attire to get in--elitist bastards) and the Liquor Room, but that cost 5 pounds to get in and no way as I paying $10 for a club. So back to Opium we went, got ourselves a little corner, and proceeded to dance the night away and take tons of photos. It was really, really fun. We got back a bit after 3, hung out in the kitchen making food and listening to the Fratellis (a GREAT Scottish band) and Rod Stewart (who is Scottish also).
Today I had a bit of an annoyance. Our dorm turns the heat and hot water off from 11am to 6pm and I wanted a shower! We did write a petition so hopefully they'll turn those back on. It's not fair, especially on weekends, to make us freeze and wait to take a shower.
Tonight we may be going on a ghost hunt that they sponser here. We're not quite sure yet. But last night was REALLY fun, and there are new pics up if you care to see them. For my first official late night out in Edinburgh, it was really fantastic.
I'm thinking of getting a bus pass so that at night I don't have to walk in the cold. It's 30 pounds a month, and if I use the bus twice daily it will be more than worth the money. Daniel has one and says it saves him tons of cash. So I will think about that. I'll be here 4 more months...I may as well look into it!
-A-
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Japanese Food with a Hindu Monk
Tuesdays are my long days. I have Natural Hazards at 10am, my Eng. Lit tutorial at 3pm, then my Art History lecture at 5pm. Afterward, I just wanted to make soup and a sandwich, do homework, watch Heroes, and sleep.
However, as Matt and I were in the process of making dinner, Daniel, a kid in Matt's hall, came in to invite us to a Japanese restaurant. He told us he had made reservations for 15, but with only seven confirmed people, so he was looking for more guests.
I felt guilty saying yes, as I just bought tickets to and from Ireland for St. Patrick's Day (!!!!), but we felt worse saying no. Daniel always invites us out and we're always too knackered to take him up on his offers! So last night, we agreed to go. I called Kim, seeing as she lived in Japan for eight years I assumed she'd want to go. We all met at Kitchener at 8:30 and took a bus over to Bonsai.
The tiny restaurant could hardly fit our entire group of 14, but we managed to squeeze in. I sat at one end by Joanna (a girl who has lived in the UK and the States), Rebecca (an American), Kim, Matt, and Daniel. On the other end were Vijay (an Indian Hindu monk), Pablo (our Spanish pal), Elian, and a couple of other people I can't name. I had miso soup and a tuna roll for 4.70, which is not bad at ALL. I was very pleased with the prices. And it was delicious!
Daniel and I talked about writing (he is an anthropology student and wants to be a novelist too!), Kim's life in Japan (she taught us what things on the menu meant and asked one of the busgirls what her favorite color is in Japanese), and basically life in Scotland in general. (It's finally begun to set in that I'm in a different country. While walking to class, I tend to notice the short stone walls and gray hued skies that so epitomize the UK, and really have begun to feel secure and excited to experience life here.)
During dinner, Daniel mentioned that Vijay is a monk, here in Scotland to study Sanskrit. I knew this already, but Kim was intrigued, so after dinner we set out to ask him questions. I introduced them and learned that:
All in all it was a totally pleasant evening. It's so great to be surrounded by people I like and am just getting to know, and I'm sure I will definitely talk to Daniel again about writing! When photos are put up by others (I forgot my camera that night), I will post them here.
-A-
However, as Matt and I were in the process of making dinner, Daniel, a kid in Matt's hall, came in to invite us to a Japanese restaurant. He told us he had made reservations for 15, but with only seven confirmed people, so he was looking for more guests.
I felt guilty saying yes, as I just bought tickets to and from Ireland for St. Patrick's Day (!!!!), but we felt worse saying no. Daniel always invites us out and we're always too knackered to take him up on his offers! So last night, we agreed to go. I called Kim, seeing as she lived in Japan for eight years I assumed she'd want to go. We all met at Kitchener at 8:30 and took a bus over to Bonsai.
The tiny restaurant could hardly fit our entire group of 14, but we managed to squeeze in. I sat at one end by Joanna (a girl who has lived in the UK and the States), Rebecca (an American), Kim, Matt, and Daniel. On the other end were Vijay (an Indian Hindu monk), Pablo (our Spanish pal), Elian, and a couple of other people I can't name. I had miso soup and a tuna roll for 4.70, which is not bad at ALL. I was very pleased with the prices. And it was delicious!
Daniel and I talked about writing (he is an anthropology student and wants to be a novelist too!), Kim's life in Japan (she taught us what things on the menu meant and asked one of the busgirls what her favorite color is in Japanese), and basically life in Scotland in general. (It's finally begun to set in that I'm in a different country. While walking to class, I tend to notice the short stone walls and gray hued skies that so epitomize the UK, and really have begun to feel secure and excited to experience life here.)
During dinner, Daniel mentioned that Vijay is a monk, here in Scotland to study Sanskrit. I knew this already, but Kim was intrigued, so after dinner we set out to ask him questions. I introduced them and learned that:
- Hindus believe there is one G-d, but we all call him by different names. They do not try to convert people, because as long as you choose a path, you get to go to heaven
- He shaves his head and wears white robes in the monestary, but is allowed to wear street clothes while studying here. His head is still bald though.
- He has lived in a monestary for 4 years. He's 21. At 17 he made the decision to become a monk.
- He had a birth mark on his skull that grew, and shaving his head saved his life because doctors speculated it was being tumorous. They removed it; Kim and I saw this as a sign that he was meant to be a monk, since shaving his head saved his life.
All in all it was a totally pleasant evening. It's so great to be surrounded by people I like and am just getting to know, and I'm sure I will definitely talk to Daniel again about writing! When photos are put up by others (I forgot my camera that night), I will post them here.
-A-
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Playing Cards in Cotton Candy Colors
On Friday night, we all went out to the Southern, where I tried a new kind of cider, but basically was bored and tired. The week had caught up with me.
Saturday, Kim, Matt and I went to the Farmer's Market! It's a walk that took us past Grassmarket (where the GF pizza is) and up a long, steep flight of stairs. Across from the market is a huge mountain with a castle built into it. The market itself was smaller than we expected, but still fun. There were stands of homemade jams, breads, soaps, meats, etc, all made by the people who harvested the goods. The most interesting things had to be the ostrich burgers and wild boar burgers, which Kim and Matt tried. I opted to try porridge, which is basically oatmeal. I decided to take the risk with the oats because I was freezing. The porridge was delicious. They mixed in raspberries, honey, and cream. It warmed me up and didn't make me sick, which is a good sign.
Afterward, I mentioned that I wondered if they had craft fairs where we could buy homemade Scottish things. Sure enough, as we turned onto the road leading to Prince's Street, we passed a churchyard with a big sign about crafts. The churchyard was old and obviously not used as a church anymore. We went down the path to a little FairTrade store. Kim and I bought Indian soapstone chess pieces for 10p (pence). Matt bought tea.
Then we headed to the National Gallery. It was starting to rain and really, really cold out. We slipped in to look at Van Goghs, Monets, Rembrants, and some others. It was neat to see so many original pieces of well-known painters hung in the Scottish National Gallery. Even some American artists were hung there!
Finally, we went back. Matt and I watched Crank and Heroes and then met Kim at Sainsbury's to buy dinner and drinks. We all ate together, and Aimee came over, too. While we cooked, we talked to the Spanish girls in Matt's kitchen. Then we basically played cards with Aimee's pink-and-blue deck, played pictionary, and cherades. It was a pretty low-key night.
Tonight I plan on doing "homework" for the first time. We don't really have homework here but we do have reading. I need to do things to turn in for my tutorials on Tuesday, and I need to start reading for a paper I have due on the 5th of Feb. The week after that, we have a week off, so we plan on taking cheap flights (about 9.99 pounds) to Belgium and France for my birthday!!
Things here are going pretty well, but I'm ready for some sun to come back! Sun, and temperatures out of the 30s!
-A-
Saturday, Kim, Matt and I went to the Farmer's Market! It's a walk that took us past Grassmarket (where the GF pizza is) and up a long, steep flight of stairs. Across from the market is a huge mountain with a castle built into it. The market itself was smaller than we expected, but still fun. There were stands of homemade jams, breads, soaps, meats, etc, all made by the people who harvested the goods. The most interesting things had to be the ostrich burgers and wild boar burgers, which Kim and Matt tried. I opted to try porridge, which is basically oatmeal. I decided to take the risk with the oats because I was freezing. The porridge was delicious. They mixed in raspberries, honey, and cream. It warmed me up and didn't make me sick, which is a good sign.
Afterward, I mentioned that I wondered if they had craft fairs where we could buy homemade Scottish things. Sure enough, as we turned onto the road leading to Prince's Street, we passed a churchyard with a big sign about crafts. The churchyard was old and obviously not used as a church anymore. We went down the path to a little FairTrade store. Kim and I bought Indian soapstone chess pieces for 10p (pence). Matt bought tea.
Then we headed to the National Gallery. It was starting to rain and really, really cold out. We slipped in to look at Van Goghs, Monets, Rembrants, and some others. It was neat to see so many original pieces of well-known painters hung in the Scottish National Gallery. Even some American artists were hung there!
Finally, we went back. Matt and I watched Crank and Heroes and then met Kim at Sainsbury's to buy dinner and drinks. We all ate together, and Aimee came over, too. While we cooked, we talked to the Spanish girls in Matt's kitchen. Then we basically played cards with Aimee's pink-and-blue deck, played pictionary, and cherades. It was a pretty low-key night.
Tonight I plan on doing "homework" for the first time. We don't really have homework here but we do have reading. I need to do things to turn in for my tutorials on Tuesday, and I need to start reading for a paper I have due on the 5th of Feb. The week after that, we have a week off, so we plan on taking cheap flights (about 9.99 pounds) to Belgium and France for my birthday!!
Things here are going pretty well, but I'm ready for some sun to come back! Sun, and temperatures out of the 30s!
-A-
Thursday, January 18, 2007
First Snow!
I left the house today on my way to class, expecting it to be raining. But as I looked out the window over the kitchen sink, I saw WHITE!
One of the guys in the kitchen told me that it was indeed snowing, but, "just a wet snow."
I told him I had not seen the ACT of snow in years. When I did walk to class, I used an umbrella, as it was heavy like rain. It hit the ground and turned into slush, so the walk was slippery, but the cars were covered in white.
I hardly felt the cold, I was so pleased!
According to my science-buddy Heather, the snow should only get better. "This is early snow," she told me. While everyone insists it doesn't snow often here, if it continues to get cold and "rain", then I'll be satisifed.
I feel like a kid again!
While I do often realize now why Dad wanted to get out of the cold weather and into the sun, I also now remember when I didn't mind the cold gloom of Ohio. Sometimes you just don't notice it.
-A-
One of the guys in the kitchen told me that it was indeed snowing, but, "just a wet snow."
I told him I had not seen the ACT of snow in years. When I did walk to class, I used an umbrella, as it was heavy like rain. It hit the ground and turned into slush, so the walk was slippery, but the cars were covered in white.
I hardly felt the cold, I was so pleased!
According to my science-buddy Heather, the snow should only get better. "This is early snow," she told me. While everyone insists it doesn't snow often here, if it continues to get cold and "rain", then I'll be satisifed.
I feel like a kid again!
While I do often realize now why Dad wanted to get out of the cold weather and into the sun, I also now remember when I didn't mind the cold gloom of Ohio. Sometimes you just don't notice it.
-A-
Monday, January 15, 2007
Saturday Night is Fun Night
This Saturday, I continued the tradition we've started here at Edinburgh by not wasting all day in bed. Kim, Aimee, Matt and I met at the International Student Center (ISC) on campus at 1pm to go on a walking tour of the city. Our guide, Shyla, agreed to show us the more "local" parts of the city. We were sick of seeing just where students hang out.
We walked over to Pleasance, which is a building complex where club meetings are held, there's a bar there, and some sort of theater, too. We walked up Cowgate, where there are many more clubs and bars, and came out onto Grassmarket, where Maggie Dickson's Pub and Mamma's Pizza are.
Maggie Dickson's is a place Kalin has told me to visit, named after a woman who survived her hanging at the gallows just across the road, and Mamma's serves GF beer AND pizza! We agreed to come back later that night to try out both venues. We then walked up to the Royal Mile. Matt and I had both been there before, but Kim and Aimee hadn't, so we walked up it first, to the castle. It was so windy they had closed it for the day to tours! We ducked into a tartan-weaving shop to escape the wind, then walked back down the Mile to get a snack (hot chocolate and nachos...mmm) and then stopped in the Museum of Childhood.
This place is a five-story building. Each level shows different kinds of toys throughout the eras. There are dolls, dollhouses, skates, marbles, etc, all in little class cases. It was really neat, although the top level, which was a bunch of mannequin children dresesd to show off the clothing of the turn of the century, was really creepy.
After that, we went back to the dorms. We watched some Scrubs on TV (and enjoyed the UK commercials as much as the show, actually), and then looked up Mamma's online. They are open till eleven pm, so we decided to leave at 8 and walk over.
The walk took about 45 mins, but we didn't get lost once! Afterward, our appetites had really been piqued. We were seated immediately, and spent some time going over the menu. Aimee, Matt, and Kim decided to split a 4-person pie, while I got my own little pizza, GF, with pineapple on it. And a GF beer, just because I could. We spent a long time choosing toppings for pizza, because there are TONS. Plus, many other menu items...all non-GF foods are marked with a little star. How thoughtful!
I was so ecstatic when the food came! I took a lot of pictures, I'll admit. The beer, according to Matt, tasted better than REAL beer, but didn't really taste like beer at all. I thought it was a lot more bitter than hard cider, but it was still something I couldn't pass up, even if I didn't LOVE the taste. Then the food came.
The pizza was so good. It tasted a lot like homemade that Mom makes, but the novelty of getting it fresh from the oven at a real restaurant was just overwhelming. I scarfed down three or four pieces, gave Matt a piece, and took three with me in my purse. Then I called Steph to brag haha.
Afterward, we went up the street a couple shops to Maggie Dickson's. They are most well known for their "seven deadly sins" and "seven virtues" drinks. I had a Wrath, which is basically three types of liquor and lemonade (ovd, bacardi, citrone), and the others tried Sloth, which is like a buttery-nipple but in a drink form instead of a shot. They were REALLY expensive though, so we moved on down the street. It was bitterly cold out, unfortunately.
We stopped in Bannerman's, a student-oriented bar, but it was packed. We walked back down the main road and stopped in Aspen, and shared a pitched of Long Island Iced Tea. Then, tired and freezing, we walked back to the dorms.
Sunday, Matt and I headed back up to Prince's Street and FINALLY bought him a pair of boots. We're still looking for boots for me and a jacket for him. Afterward, we grocery shopped, cooked dinner, and watched Hero (the movie, not the TV series).
I am going through House withdrawal!
Time for me to head over to class. I will upload pics of Saturday when I'm next at my comp.
Oh, and here is the link to Mamma's, if you're interested: http://www.mammas.co.uk/
-A-
We walked over to Pleasance, which is a building complex where club meetings are held, there's a bar there, and some sort of theater, too. We walked up Cowgate, where there are many more clubs and bars, and came out onto Grassmarket, where Maggie Dickson's Pub and Mamma's Pizza are.
Maggie Dickson's is a place Kalin has told me to visit, named after a woman who survived her hanging at the gallows just across the road, and Mamma's serves GF beer AND pizza! We agreed to come back later that night to try out both venues. We then walked up to the Royal Mile. Matt and I had both been there before, but Kim and Aimee hadn't, so we walked up it first, to the castle. It was so windy they had closed it for the day to tours! We ducked into a tartan-weaving shop to escape the wind, then walked back down the Mile to get a snack (hot chocolate and nachos...mmm) and then stopped in the Museum of Childhood.
This place is a five-story building. Each level shows different kinds of toys throughout the eras. There are dolls, dollhouses, skates, marbles, etc, all in little class cases. It was really neat, although the top level, which was a bunch of mannequin children dresesd to show off the clothing of the turn of the century, was really creepy.
After that, we went back to the dorms. We watched some Scrubs on TV (and enjoyed the UK commercials as much as the show, actually), and then looked up Mamma's online. They are open till eleven pm, so we decided to leave at 8 and walk over.
The walk took about 45 mins, but we didn't get lost once! Afterward, our appetites had really been piqued. We were seated immediately, and spent some time going over the menu. Aimee, Matt, and Kim decided to split a 4-person pie, while I got my own little pizza, GF, with pineapple on it. And a GF beer, just because I could. We spent a long time choosing toppings for pizza, because there are TONS. Plus, many other menu items...all non-GF foods are marked with a little star. How thoughtful!
I was so ecstatic when the food came! I took a lot of pictures, I'll admit. The beer, according to Matt, tasted better than REAL beer, but didn't really taste like beer at all. I thought it was a lot more bitter than hard cider, but it was still something I couldn't pass up, even if I didn't LOVE the taste. Then the food came.
The pizza was so good. It tasted a lot like homemade that Mom makes, but the novelty of getting it fresh from the oven at a real restaurant was just overwhelming. I scarfed down three or four pieces, gave Matt a piece, and took three with me in my purse. Then I called Steph to brag haha.
Afterward, we went up the street a couple shops to Maggie Dickson's. They are most well known for their "seven deadly sins" and "seven virtues" drinks. I had a Wrath, which is basically three types of liquor and lemonade (ovd, bacardi, citrone), and the others tried Sloth, which is like a buttery-nipple but in a drink form instead of a shot. They were REALLY expensive though, so we moved on down the street. It was bitterly cold out, unfortunately.
We stopped in Bannerman's, a student-oriented bar, but it was packed. We walked back down the main road and stopped in Aspen, and shared a pitched of Long Island Iced Tea. Then, tired and freezing, we walked back to the dorms.
Sunday, Matt and I headed back up to Prince's Street and FINALLY bought him a pair of boots. We're still looking for boots for me and a jacket for him. Afterward, we grocery shopped, cooked dinner, and watched Hero (the movie, not the TV series).
I am going through House withdrawal!
Time for me to head over to class. I will upload pics of Saturday when I'm next at my comp.
Oh, and here is the link to Mamma's, if you're interested: http://www.mammas.co.uk/
-A-
Friday, January 12, 2007
Getting Lost
Today's adventure was one of a different sort. It marked the first day Matt and I got lost in the city.
After classes today, Matt and I decided to head up to Prince's Street, where there are huge department-type stores. We wanted boots for both of us and a jacket for him. We got there around 4 because my dorm's lights were out (probably due to severe wind...30 km/h!), so I had to bring my food over to his kitchen to cook it (I had a great lunch though--eggs, toast, brie, and a clementine).
We shopped around but the only things we bought were groceries. Getting back on the bus to go home, we assumed (wrongly) that any bus #3-- would bring us back to the city. Well, as it turned out, bus 33, which we took, does go back to the city. But then it hangs a right sometime before our stop and goes on a round-about tour of Edinburgh.
We passed the Royal Infirmary, and then began to wind through residential streets. Thinking the bus had to complete its cycle sometime and would bring us back to the city center, we stayed on board. Until, that is, the driver came up to tell us that we were at the last stop before the bus heads to the garage to "sleep." Another couple, who didn't speak much English, was also on the bus. The driver pointed us toward another stop where "all buses go into town."
Well, we had a problem. We only had one pound and change between the two of us. Buses only accept EXACT change, and they prefer coins, since there isn't a pound-note anyway. So, I took 10pounds from Matt and ventured into a tiny Cantonese take-away restaurant and asked one of the ladies inside if she had change for a ten because I needed it for the bus. She didn't, but a really kindly lady overheard and counted out ten pounds, to us university students who need pounds for laundry and basic living, those coins are pure gold. I thanked her and told her she was a lifesaver. We then went back to the bus stop and asked more random Scots if the buses coming went to Nicholson Street, Cameron Toll, or Craigmiller. They told us to head down a DIFFERENT rode to the bus stop and take ANY bus to get to town, but to take, specifically, 37 to get to Craigmillar (where our houses are).
Even with ten pounds in my pocket (enough to take five buses between me and Matt), we decided to play it safe and wait 28 mintues for the next #37 to arrive (luckily there are nifty electric signs that scroll the bus numbers and when they'll arrive at nearly every bus stop).
By this time, I was cracking up laughing. Matt was worried our food would go bad but in 30-degree weather I thought it would probably be fine. We finally got the bus (two minutes early!) and within ten minutes were back in Matt's kitchen cooking gourmet burgers and asparagus (I make the BEST asparagus, by the way, tender but crunchy with just the right amount of seasoning).
So basically, the day after I was bragging that I know my way around the city sooo well, I went and got lost (although I blame Matt for choosing to take the 33 bus in the first place).
This is probably the beginning of a fun weekend.
-A-
PS: I forgot to add that, while cooking, one of Matt's hallmates, Pablo, asked us what we had done that day. I told him we had gotten lost because we had assumed any 3- bus was safe, but 33 got us into trouble. His response was that the two buses that aren't okay to take into town are 31 and 33. Of allllll the buses out there...Heh. Oh well, now we know!
After classes today, Matt and I decided to head up to Prince's Street, where there are huge department-type stores. We wanted boots for both of us and a jacket for him. We got there around 4 because my dorm's lights were out (probably due to severe wind...30 km/h!), so I had to bring my food over to his kitchen to cook it (I had a great lunch though--eggs, toast, brie, and a clementine).
We shopped around but the only things we bought were groceries. Getting back on the bus to go home, we assumed (wrongly) that any bus #3-- would bring us back to the city. Well, as it turned out, bus 33, which we took, does go back to the city. But then it hangs a right sometime before our stop and goes on a round-about tour of Edinburgh.
We passed the Royal Infirmary, and then began to wind through residential streets. Thinking the bus had to complete its cycle sometime and would bring us back to the city center, we stayed on board. Until, that is, the driver came up to tell us that we were at the last stop before the bus heads to the garage to "sleep." Another couple, who didn't speak much English, was also on the bus. The driver pointed us toward another stop where "all buses go into town."
Well, we had a problem. We only had one pound and change between the two of us. Buses only accept EXACT change, and they prefer coins, since there isn't a pound-note anyway. So, I took 10pounds from Matt and ventured into a tiny Cantonese take-away restaurant and asked one of the ladies inside if she had change for a ten because I needed it for the bus. She didn't, but a really kindly lady overheard and counted out ten pounds, to us university students who need pounds for laundry and basic living, those coins are pure gold. I thanked her and told her she was a lifesaver. We then went back to the bus stop and asked more random Scots if the buses coming went to Nicholson Street, Cameron Toll, or Craigmiller. They told us to head down a DIFFERENT rode to the bus stop and take ANY bus to get to town, but to take, specifically, 37 to get to Craigmillar (where our houses are).
Even with ten pounds in my pocket (enough to take five buses between me and Matt), we decided to play it safe and wait 28 mintues for the next #37 to arrive (luckily there are nifty electric signs that scroll the bus numbers and when they'll arrive at nearly every bus stop).
By this time, I was cracking up laughing. Matt was worried our food would go bad but in 30-degree weather I thought it would probably be fine. We finally got the bus (two minutes early!) and within ten minutes were back in Matt's kitchen cooking gourmet burgers and asparagus (I make the BEST asparagus, by the way, tender but crunchy with just the right amount of seasoning).
So basically, the day after I was bragging that I know my way around the city sooo well, I went and got lost (although I blame Matt for choosing to take the 33 bus in the first place).
This is probably the beginning of a fun weekend.
-A-
PS: I forgot to add that, while cooking, one of Matt's hallmates, Pablo, asked us what we had done that day. I told him we had gotten lost because we had assumed any 3- bus was safe, but 33 got us into trouble. His response was that the two buses that aren't okay to take into town are 31 and 33. Of allllll the buses out there...Heh. Oh well, now we know!
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Arrived!
Well, here I am in Kitchener House, Matt's dorm, waiting for his hall meeting to be over so we can cook dinner, and I've decided to take the time to make my first official update. Sorry to say, while I do have photos, the internet on campus is finicky and won't let me use webshots. However, when I next get to a spot with WiFi, I will be sure to put photos up. For now, bear with me.
Anyway, we got in around 9:25am on Jan. 4th. It was cold out, and wet, but not really raining. We collected our luggage and started our trek through the airport to try to find where the cabs are. We took two taxis, which are actually quite neat. They are specially made without trunks, so the people sit in the far back (facing forward, though) with their bags on the floor in front of them. As we drove through the city, I watched us pass campus and then head to the Registration Center at Pollock Halls. This confused me, but I would later learn that campus is huuuge. My dorm is 30 minutes from the main campus, George Square.
Anyway, we checked in, took another cab to our dorms, and tried to get settled in. My room is small, a single (as most here are), and on the "first floor" (which is the American second floor, but they have the ground floor here, of course). I've got photos, which, as I said, I will try to upload asap.
Basically we spent the first couple days wandering the city, learning where to eat and where to find WiFi, as our internet had no yet been connected, and getting back on a regular sleeping schedule. Brittany's birthday was on Saturday the 7th, so we woke at 7:30 and went hiking up Arthur's Seat for sunrise, which is at about 9. It was incredibly windy and a bit chilly, but it was just so exhilirating! At the top of the seat are two stones; one is the actual "throne" and one is set with a round metal plate which is engraved with the dates of ruling kings. From the top, you can see the entire city, the North Sea, and basically get your bearings about where you are in relation to everything else.
Sunday was orientation, but the only important thing there was finding out how to sign up to register, meet our director of studies, and the campus tour of the main campus. Afterward I really felt I knew the campus pretty well.
We had classes on Monday. My English Lit class Lecture is in a hall with about 80 students. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays are Lectures, all divided by subject for three professors. Scottish Lit and another course also meet for these. On Tuesdays I then have my English Lit Tutorial, which is specific to my subject (American Lit) and is a MUCH smaller class (10 people or so).
I had my History of Art class Monday night, which was also a class of dozens, but I went into it knowing three people. The class is SO interesting. We are focusing on the church, court, and religion in paintings and architecture, basically looking at how even religious paintings are steeped in government affairs. I have a tutorial in this class as well, but have not yet met with it.
My science, Natural Hazards, also seems like it will be interesting. We will be learning about volcanos, hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis, etc, and I'll have one paper to write in there on a subject of my choice. Being a Floridian, I will of course choose to research hurricanes.
Gluten-Free food is very easy to find here in the grocery stores, and hopefully also in restaurants, although we haven't really eaten out much yet. There are tons of baked potato shops around though, which amuses me for some reason. Every time I see one I point it out. (I'm sure it's rather annoying by now.)
After a brief bout of homesickness, I'm beginning to apprecite the weather (now that I know how the free bus between the two campuses works, especially), being forced to walk everywhere, and cooking my own food. The fact that I need pound-coins to operate the laundry is frustrating, since I never have straight pounds on me, and supposedly the dryers hardly work at all anyway. It's the equivalent of $6 (American) to do a load of laundry.
Cleaning staff give us fresh sheets weekly. We change our own beds, but they take the old laundry and also empty our trash daily for us. If we've kept our rooms tidy enough, they wipe down the mirror and sink (which is in our rooms) and vaccuum (hoover, haha).
We basically walk everywhere, since it costs $2 (American) to take a bus into town. Unless it's freezing or raining, we walk. My legs are going to be so buff at the end of this haha. My feet hated me at first, as did my legs, and yesterday they nearly buckled under me, so I took the bus to and from class in the evening to make up for it. Between classes, I got coffee at a little shop down the road on campus, to warm up and read a bit before my next class. They make the best coffee here! Anyway, I walk about 30 mins to George Square, or 20 mins to King's Buildings (the science campus) every Mon-Fri. It's great exercise except for the exhaust fumes! They're so bad here! And sometimes the wind is so strong it nearly blows me off the sidewalk (literally, this happened to me twice), and if you're walking into the wind it's hard to inhale. However, while at first walking made me pant, I can now make the brisk walk to campus without feeling winded...and it's only been a week!
I sometimes catch myself, when I'm thinking to myself, thinking in a Scottish accent. But I don't think I've fallen into speaking with one.
I'm currently reading "Outlander" by Diana Gabaldon, which I HIGHLY recommend, and the newest thing I'm trying to get used to is that people here say "cheers" instead of thank you.
I'm off for the night. Keep checking to see if photos are posted.
-A-
PS: photos added to link on sidebar!
Anyway, we got in around 9:25am on Jan. 4th. It was cold out, and wet, but not really raining. We collected our luggage and started our trek through the airport to try to find where the cabs are. We took two taxis, which are actually quite neat. They are specially made without trunks, so the people sit in the far back (facing forward, though) with their bags on the floor in front of them. As we drove through the city, I watched us pass campus and then head to the Registration Center at Pollock Halls. This confused me, but I would later learn that campus is huuuge. My dorm is 30 minutes from the main campus, George Square.
Anyway, we checked in, took another cab to our dorms, and tried to get settled in. My room is small, a single (as most here are), and on the "first floor" (which is the American second floor, but they have the ground floor here, of course). I've got photos, which, as I said, I will try to upload asap.
Basically we spent the first couple days wandering the city, learning where to eat and where to find WiFi, as our internet had no yet been connected, and getting back on a regular sleeping schedule. Brittany's birthday was on Saturday the 7th, so we woke at 7:30 and went hiking up Arthur's Seat for sunrise, which is at about 9. It was incredibly windy and a bit chilly, but it was just so exhilirating! At the top of the seat are two stones; one is the actual "throne" and one is set with a round metal plate which is engraved with the dates of ruling kings. From the top, you can see the entire city, the North Sea, and basically get your bearings about where you are in relation to everything else.
Sunday was orientation, but the only important thing there was finding out how to sign up to register, meet our director of studies, and the campus tour of the main campus. Afterward I really felt I knew the campus pretty well.
We had classes on Monday. My English Lit class Lecture is in a hall with about 80 students. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays are Lectures, all divided by subject for three professors. Scottish Lit and another course also meet for these. On Tuesdays I then have my English Lit Tutorial, which is specific to my subject (American Lit) and is a MUCH smaller class (10 people or so).
I had my History of Art class Monday night, which was also a class of dozens, but I went into it knowing three people. The class is SO interesting. We are focusing on the church, court, and religion in paintings and architecture, basically looking at how even religious paintings are steeped in government affairs. I have a tutorial in this class as well, but have not yet met with it.
My science, Natural Hazards, also seems like it will be interesting. We will be learning about volcanos, hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis, etc, and I'll have one paper to write in there on a subject of my choice. Being a Floridian, I will of course choose to research hurricanes.
Gluten-Free food is very easy to find here in the grocery stores, and hopefully also in restaurants, although we haven't really eaten out much yet. There are tons of baked potato shops around though, which amuses me for some reason. Every time I see one I point it out. (I'm sure it's rather annoying by now.)
After a brief bout of homesickness, I'm beginning to apprecite the weather (now that I know how the free bus between the two campuses works, especially), being forced to walk everywhere, and cooking my own food. The fact that I need pound-coins to operate the laundry is frustrating, since I never have straight pounds on me, and supposedly the dryers hardly work at all anyway. It's the equivalent of $6 (American) to do a load of laundry.
Cleaning staff give us fresh sheets weekly. We change our own beds, but they take the old laundry and also empty our trash daily for us. If we've kept our rooms tidy enough, they wipe down the mirror and sink (which is in our rooms) and vaccuum (hoover, haha).
We basically walk everywhere, since it costs $2 (American) to take a bus into town. Unless it's freezing or raining, we walk. My legs are going to be so buff at the end of this haha. My feet hated me at first, as did my legs, and yesterday they nearly buckled under me, so I took the bus to and from class in the evening to make up for it. Between classes, I got coffee at a little shop down the road on campus, to warm up and read a bit before my next class. They make the best coffee here! Anyway, I walk about 30 mins to George Square, or 20 mins to King's Buildings (the science campus) every Mon-Fri. It's great exercise except for the exhaust fumes! They're so bad here! And sometimes the wind is so strong it nearly blows me off the sidewalk (literally, this happened to me twice), and if you're walking into the wind it's hard to inhale. However, while at first walking made me pant, I can now make the brisk walk to campus without feeling winded...and it's only been a week!
I sometimes catch myself, when I'm thinking to myself, thinking in a Scottish accent. But I don't think I've fallen into speaking with one.
I'm currently reading "Outlander" by Diana Gabaldon, which I HIGHLY recommend, and the newest thing I'm trying to get used to is that people here say "cheers" instead of thank you.
I'm off for the night. Keep checking to see if photos are posted.
-A-
PS: photos added to link on sidebar!
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