Lessons in Edinburgh

After being in Edinburgh for approximately 5 days, I'm comprised a list of thing's I've learned thus far:

1. When asking about a certain nightclub called "Espionage" I was told it was "gush". "Gush" means "rubbish". "Rubbish" means "crap". Scottish language lesson #1. Also, soda is "fizzy drinks", "Digestives" is not the UK's equivalent to "Pepto Bismol" but are actually delicious cookies, and college is "uni".

2. Everyone drinks at the pubs. At all hours of the day. Every day. And it's not the stereotypical "European respectful" drink. It's a full on, shots and pints, loud and brash drunk. I'll fit in well here.

3. My entire building is all Americans. This is a double-edged sword in the sense that we can all relate to each other on very personal and similar levels, but it will take a massive effort to meet other international students and Scottish natives. I fully plan to put forth that effort and return with a crazy accent.

4. After a pub crawl arranged for the new students, I became fluent in Scottish. I am also an excellent Scottish speaker when falling asleep reading my novel...out loud...with an accent. Practice makes perfect.

5. I only take three classes. They meet for a combined total of 7 hours a week. I don't have classes on Tuesdays or Wednesdays. Napier University, along with the rest of the UK, is known for having bunk education. Being the nerd I am...I am NOT amused.

6. Do not send tired, stressed out e-mails to people when they can trace who you are. Instead, write all your frustrations down and revisit them a day later to better phrase everything encompassed by jet lag, airplane food, crying infants AND toddlers, transportation miscommunications, freezing cold dorm rooms, internet and bus fees, a bed set that is comparable to tissue paper, and about 294583920 questions about my new "home".

7. Talking to locals is the best way to find out information. Don't look like a tourist, but ask people any question you want and you'll get answers.

8. Waterproof spray doesn't work no matter how many times you layer it on walking shoes. Buy a frickin pair of rain boots. And thick socks. STAT.

9. Contrary to popular belief, Scotland DOES get snow. Approximately 4 inches of snow. And people in Scotland drive worse than any terrible Michigan or Illinois snow-fearing driver you have EVER come in contact with because frozen precipitation is unheard of here. Furthermore, within an afternoon, it can rain, hail, snow flakes the size of New Jersey, then warm up to surround you in beautiful sunshine.

10. "Adam Braveheart" has a tattoo of the Scottish flag on his butt. I feel immensely blessed to have seen this personally; however, his "art" is copyrighted and sold in over 43 stores in the greater Edinburgh area. If you ever see a Scottish flag on a cushy piece of flesh, you can bet your ass it's Adam Braveheart's rear end. You're welcome.

11. Paying four pounds for grocery delivery is about the best idea in all of Edinburgh. Otherwise, set aside about 3 hours, 2 bus maps, 10 frozen and uncirculated fingers, and a half mile walk to accomplish the task of filling your "fridge and freezer"...which is literally HALF the size of a standard American refrigerator. For five girls.

12. I TOTALLY look European with bangs, sunglasses, and funky-colored scarves. I TOTALLY look American with bootcut jeans, gym shoes, and hips. You can't win them all.

Here's a list of things I'd still like to learn:

1. How do I turn down my heater because my room has now turned into a sauna?

2. How do I flush the toilet?

3. Every single piece of history about every single building in Edinburgh.

4. Why does Napier University make things so freaking complicated?

5. What is REALLY in haggis?

That's all I'm going to bore you with for my learning lesson. Here's been my schedule thus far, though:

Last Sunday - arrival, unpack, meet international students

Monday - academic induction, 5 mile walk to find a currency exchange to no avail, ASDA (Scotland's equivalent to Wal-mart)

Tuesday - pub pub-crawl with roomates and international students

Wednesday - tour of the city with a friend's Mom who showed us around the Royal Mile and Princes Street (two very popular and busy areas for shopping and sightseeing), "Matriculation" or Napier's fancy way of saying "student registration"

Thursday - "Fresher's Fayre" at the campus (similar to Campus Life Night where all student organizations have a booth and give you info). I'm now a member of the Dancing Society and the Whiskey Club. EXCELLENT COMBINATION!!! Wine night with flatmates and friends, getting to know each other more.

Today - toured around the Royal Mile again, played in a castle park, St. Giles Cathedral, spit on the Celtic Heart for good luck, and yet another pub crawl tonight at Napier's Student Union

It's been quite the experience already. I am incredibly happy for school to be starting soon because I'm getting antsy to get some education. It's going to be an incredible semester with trips to the Highlands and Loch Ness through our student association, having the opportunity to meet people from all over the world, keeping an open mind, heart, eyes, and ears to learn anything and everything about this city, its culture, and history, and finishing my studies in an incredibly holistic sense.

Thanks everyone for your support in this endeavor. I appreciate all your "good lucks" and "have funs" and I miss you all immensely!