Moving In

So yesterday we wrapped up orientation and had time to go about the city. Walked around with some friends and found the library and some academic buildings. The picture is of me in front of Greyfriar's Bobby, the little dog that went to and from his master's grave after he died for fourteen years every day. I think Robert Louis Stevenson wrote a story about it. We also found the grocery stores, where we're living, et cetera.

The big building above is McEwan Hall, where a lot of classes are and also where graduation is held. It's huge and really beautiful.

The city itself is very hilly and everything seems piled on top of everything else. Every time you walk a block your view of the city changes depending on your elevation. Most buildings are pretty old, but sometimes there will be a five hundred year old cathedral next to a store from 1968. It's funny to think that so many of these ancient buildings, which all seem grand and impressive, are home to stores like starbucks and subway on the ground floor.

Noticed that popular music here is either pop music that was popular in the States like three years ago, with recent stuff mixed in, or else like 60s and 70s tunes. It's weird to see university kids dancing like crazy to "Build me up buttercup" and belting out the lyrics. A good time, though. A refreshing change from F&M's beat-bumping, rap-laden party scene (not that there's anything wrong with that, either). Have only been to pubs so far, no clubs or anything - which I hear are usually packed and an alright time.

Moved in to my flat today. It's a nice place right next to the sports facility, with a view of Arthur's Seat, and extinct volcano, from the common room. I'll put up a picture sometime. The only ornamentation my quarters boast is a Red Sox pennant, a "Newcastle Brown Ale" bar towel, and a Norman Rockwell calendar my dad gave me before I left. I was going to buy posters or something now, but I figure I'll try to buy some if I go on trips or to tourist attractions and put those up instead. Room is pretty standard - four walls, desk, dresser, bed.

I've only met one of my flatmates thus far - Calum King. Iain, the other, is out at work. Before I moved in I got a sheet Calum and Iain had filled out about their interests. Calum's read:

1. Girls

2. Booze

3. Sport

4. Adult Entertainment

5. Bacon & Eggs

Iain's first 'interest' was "Cleaning up after Calum."

Needless to say, I felt confident that Calum was going to be a character. I just met him a bit ago and he's a nice guy. Likes to go out and what not, and is very friendly. Said he just wrote down those things "for banterin' sake," but that they were mostly true anyway. So I'm to go out with him and his friends tonight. He's Scottish, and I assume Iain is too. Either way, I'm looking forward to living with them. The flat is composed of three single rooms down a corridor, with a common/eating area on one side of the end, and the kitchen opposite, like a "T."

I've been using more Scottish vocabulary since yesterday, sometimes without realizing. Cheers instead of Thanks sometimes, "Nae bother" instead of "Don't worry about it." I also notice that the way I say some words is changing without my trying to pronounce them differently - the emphasis on certain syllables, certain inflections, et cetera.

All that sounds wonderful! As far as misfortunes, three have occurred:

1. Hurt my finger on a door yesterday. It's swollen up but I think it'll be better in a few days.

2. Got splashed by a bus on two different occasions today. The second time startled me so bad that I leapt into the air and this massive Scottish guy laughed at me. Soggy embarrassment.

3. I was packing my things up in the hotel and the saucer to my teacup that I got with the duty free gin broke into a billion pieces. Alas. Yet the cup remains!

That's roughly it for now. Classes Monday, and an advising meeting. Going to try and call home today. I think I have free international minutes as a bonus with my plan. Excited to go out with Calum and his friends tonight.

A pretty view of the city.