I finally completed registering at the University of Edinburgh, which means I have access to their computers now . . . YAY! I will be able to check e-mails more regularly. How am I doing? It takes a lot of work to end up in the Royal Infermary (Hospital) within the first week of my arrival in Scotland. Thanks to the beautiful cobblestone streets, I was able to snap my left ankle in a direction that I thought was impossible. On Sunday night, only my second night actually staying in my flat, I had an extra pillowcase wrapped around my ankle, holding a frozen bag of carrots, secured by an extra strap from my luggage bag (at least I’m resourceful). Of course, I couldn’t miss out on the first day of classes, so I hobbled up and down the streets of Edinburgh searching for my buildings, one of which is on the other end of town. Monday night I ended up in the Accidents/Emergencies ward to have a doctor look at my ankle — to check for any fractures. I’m surprised I didn’t break any other bones during the crazy taxi ride on the way to the infermary!
Besides the ankle which is now wrapped up in a large medical sock (much like an ACE bandage) and the lost luggage when I arrived in Scotland, everything is wonderful. The castle is spectacular – lit up at night it appears to float over the city. All of the buildings, shops, and streets are quaint and historic, each one with it’s very own story. One of the first pubs I visited was built over a cellar dating from the 1500’s!
My classes will be very interesting. Not only am I sitting in lecture halls (my classes are 100, 50, and 40 people each), but I am dealing with at least 9 different professors. The teaching faculty is so incredibly specialized at the University in a way that not one is able to teach an entire semester of a level 1 class. Instead, the semester is broken into topics, and professors take turn lecturing/leading the class on their specific topic. So far, two of my professors are English, and one is Irish (but studied in England) – no worries about understanding them. Taxi drivers on the other hand . . . . completely different language.
I was really hoping to perfect a Scottish accent, although it will be very difficult under the circumstances: only 23% of the University is actually Scottish, and the 23% spend time in the Science & Engineering School, not Humanities.
My flatmates are absolutely wonderful. All third-year students, we are on the same maturity level (which helps a ton!) One is from Japan, one from France, and one from Texas (but she doesn’t sound or act like a Texan at all!!). Each week someone cooks a dish of her choice for the rest of the flat. Sunday we had a French cake to celebrate the New Year, and tonight we are having a French meal. Our flat is very quaint (not quite like College View). I am extremely glad that I had the chance to live in Wahlstrom for two summers – it was a bit of a shock moving from College View into the single study room that I have now, but it will be just fine for the semester. No microwave, no tv.
The flat itself is right next to one of the student unions, and is in perfect part of town. It is only one/two blocks away from one of the main streets w/ groceries, bargain stores, cafe’s, bus stops, etc. Also, I have no problem walking alone to or from the flat to the rest of town.
Edinburgh is an interesting town. First of all, the name (Ed-in-bur-ah) is difficult to say – the Scots fit all four syllables into two — and I have to be careful to not say it like I am English (quite a rivalry between Scotland and England). Secondly, the town fits all four seasons into one day. Yesterday for example: Sunny, warm and clear in the morning, downpour of rain for 7 minutes, cloudy and cool for a few hours, and then clear sky as the sun sets. There is a reason they tell you to bring a rain jacket WHENEVER YOU LEAVE THE ROOM!!! I am glad the rain doesn’t last for three days like in MN — when the rain starts, it will be anywhere from 5 minutes to 1hour before it stops, but no more. Wind seems to be an issue here, but thanks to Gustavus, I don’t mind.
Every day at 1:00pm a canon shoots from the castle. This is how you pick out the tourists: anyone visiting will jump at the sound, look around, and duck. Locals simply look at their watches to check the time.
The scenery is absolutely incredible as you may imagine. Arthur’s Seat is the backdrop to my side of town (look it up on the Internet – it is beautiful). Once my ankle heals, I will be climbing to the top of it. Sunrise is 8:30 now, and sunset starts at 3:45/4. By the time I leave, Sunrise will be at 3:30/4 and sunset will be at 11. We were told to be at the top of Arthur’s Seat at some point to watch the sunrise. Needless to say I will be doing that sooner than later 🙂
Next week I am off with the International Student Center to visit Prince William — I mean St. Andrew’s. The following weekend I will be with a host family in Sterling, Scotland (the heart of “Braveheart”). Other trips scheduled are to York, England, and to the Isle of Skye, in Scotland.
I haven’t tried haggis yet, but there is a celebration on January 25th where it is a required part of the meal. yippee. I found a drink made in Glasgow, Scotland, called Irn Bru – an orange colored non-alcoholic drink that reminds me of cream soda.
Feel free to update me on your lives too. I will be sending pictures of Edinburgh soon, as well as one with my ankle wrapped in my pillow case. If you know of anyone who should get this but hasn’t, my apologies — please send it on!
Cheers Sarah in Scotland