SCOTLAND!

Update from Scotland:

We landed at Gatwick about 6:30 local, on the 2nd of January. We then proceded to stand in line in this horrible que for about an hour, with me hauling my girlfriends horribly heavy baggage over hill and over dale. THEN I got singled out for special quizzing by the security people, followed by being singled out for the shoe scan. Apparently the 6' 1" unshaved american with the leather jacket looked suspicious.

We then hung around, converted some money, and finally got on ANOTHER flight to Scotland. Landing in Glasgow, after a freakishly long and miserable flight, we go to reclaim our bags, only to discover that my friend Laura(http://willyougolassiego.blogspot.com/) was missing her baggage. So we tracked that down, and went to get a taxi. The original plan was: taxi to train, train to Edinburgh, taxi to hostel. The guy heard us discussing this, said for �15 each he'd take us the whole way. Later we calculated that with the amount of baggage, it would have cost us nearly �25 to go with the original plan.

So, we're exhausted, haven't slept, eaten, severe jet lag, and it's only six PM. So we decide to head out and and find a pub for somehing to eat, since we can't go to sleep right away. So we are wandering about, when what should we discover but a carnival! Apparently the last night of Hogmanay there is a big carnival. So we wandered around, ate carnie food, and discovered how the money works.

Our first sight of Edinburgh was at night, lit with Christmas lights, in the middle of a huge party. Never say that Scotland doesn't know how to say hello. We wandered across the bridge to the other side of the central train station and turned around.

This place has the most stunning skyline in the world. On the right; Edinburgh castle, followed by St. Killian's Cathedral, assorted "smaller" cathedrals and churches, and most amazing of all, the Scott Memorial. I gotta say, this puts the Washington monument to shame. Not in size, but because it looks like a beautiful gothic spire taken off of Westminster abbey and stuck in the middle of town.

Thursday we went out for breakfast, then decided to head out to the main University check in point to make sure everything was in order. We decided to walk. THREE HOURS LATER we decided we were lost and decided to walk back.

OH! We had snow too. Not little flurries, but BIG FRICKIN' flakes. With strong winds. AND those little flakes that sting. All while rambling around Edinburgh. Actually, with the layering, the light jacket I had was more than enough.The only bits of me at all cold were head and hands. Since I didn't have gloves or a hat, my hair got all snowy and wet (although, I must say, I will look rather dashing when I get old, assuming I don't bald) and my hands were chilly, but I was surprisingly comfy. Moral, always layer.

Friday, we mostly stayed in, only venturing out for dinner. We went to a little hole in the wall diner. Oh, next time you get fish and chips: vinegar and salt. A pox upon ketchup!

Trips to the store have been very comforting. Basically, although the pound is almost 2-1, everything (or at least the staples) is about half numerically. Also, the places were were at was basically an in-city 7-11, so things are more expensive there. Our dorm is across from a standard grocery store so things should be cheaper. Also, shopping in bulk. However, that term "in bulk " is a bit misleading. More like, lots-of-small-packages-that-are-cheap-cuz-scots-aren't-fat-americans.

School has started since then. Classes look fascinating! I've sucessfully rearranged my classes so that I only have class Monday and thursday, WOOHOO! I've met some interesting people here. However, this week has been astonishingly busy with the first week of classes, so little more to report.

I'm really not sure how they are going to get me back from this country. It's fantasic. At thats only the running-around-the-city-dealing-with-red-tape bits. This weekend there is an excursion to Loch Lomond (yes, the one from the song) so I should return with stories.

Also, one last note. Any readers: quick, cheap, decent, easy to make recipies would be much appreciated. We are doing group dinners, so anything to add to the mix will be welcome!

Cheers,

Cary