First Entry
Well, I'm not typically the person for practicing the self-indulgent habit of blogging, but in this case, I feel it is necessary. Now that I'm abroad, and now that I've been put up to the incredibly high standards set by Miss Jasmine's Spain e-mails, I feel that I must inform my faithful friends and family of what is going on overseas, and blogging is just simpler than e-mailing. I am going to make no promises, but I will do my best to update this regularly.
So, I have been in Edinburgh for almost a week now - what have I done? I suppose if I were forced to narrow it done to one word, it would probably be... drink. Hah - a little bit pathetic, I know, but it is Freshers' Week (and they do consider me a Fresher here). Every night (with the exception of last night, in which my tired 20-year old body absolutely required a night in) I have gone out to parties, pubs, clubs, etc. It has been absolutely wild and wonderful - but I'm also a bit excited to get started with a semi-normal life as well (classes and such). I have done a little bit of sightseeing though - the castle at night, walked the Royal Mile, etc. but nothing too extensive. So here's the day by day breakdown:
10 September 2004 - Last Friday: Left Philadelphia Airport at 7 PM and embarked on a long and sleepless flight (watched Mean Girls on the plane) to Heathrow.
11 September 2004 - Saturday: Arrived Heathrow 7 AM - had a ridiculously long layover and then flight delays. Arrived Edinburgh Airport approximately 2:30 PM. Caught a terribly expensive taxi to drive me to my accomodation (Fraser Court flat in the Pollock Halls of Residence). The taxi driver was wonderful though - Scottish and proud of it. He pointed out famous pubs, locations, enlightened me on some Scottish history and even told me the tale of his Scottish friend in LA who went to see Braveheart in the theater - then in the middle of it, during the battle scene, jumped up yelling, just like Mel Gibson, to the shock and awe of the other theater-goers. The taxi driver of course, did a wonderful MG impression as well.
Arrived at my flat around 4 PM and promptly unpacked and showered. Called up the lovely Leslie Emmons and took a walk to her hostel on Cowgate. Chilled and caught up a bit with her and her friends from the University of Sussex program and then went out to the pubs/clubs on Cowgate. We started at a pub, which I do not remember the name of, but which had cheap drinks and a lively clientele (sp?) which Jessica then proceeded to offend by asking whether or not we were in a gay club. But still, it was amusing. Then on the the wonderful (and wonderfully crowded) Three Sisters pub for some wild dancing (it was so hot, Leslie could barely keep her shirt on) and a run to the "loo." Then it was off to Siglo (home of the Pole-dancing competition on Thursday nights) and many a Scottish man willing to buy us drinks (yay Absinthe!). We stayed there and danced the night away for quite awhile then Sam (Leslie's English friend she had met the night before) and I went off in search of a cab home and ended up finding some pretty good landmarks along the way (Walter Scott monument, castle at night, etc.).
12 September 2004 - Sunday: Woke up extremely late and proceeded to take a shower. Noticed a family, presuming moving in on my way down the hall. Smiled, waved, etc. Later, as I was trying to get dressed I heard a knock on the door. Turns out, I was in the wrong room and that it was really KATE Gilbert's room. Shit. Finished getting dressed, repacked all my things, and moved to my real room - 431 Fraser Court. But I am now glad I did, because I absolutely adore my flatmates. There is Sam (short for Samantha), a darling girl with reddish brown hair from Edinburgh, there is Pamela, a cute blonde girl from Ft. William, and Lucy, a funny charming young lady from Glasgow - plus there is Kirsty, an absolutely gorgeous girl from Lucy's school in Glasgow who lives across the hall, but pretty much spends all of her time in our flat. They are all great, all Scottish (actually Sam is from Holland and grew up in London, but has lived the past 6 years in Edinburgh), and all 17 years old! I feel ancient. I'll post pictures of them hopefully soon.
Moved in, again, and ate with the girls (Pamela and Lucy were sweet enough to make a delicious pasta dinner - thank god, because I hadn't eaten anything since I'd arrived). We then decided to hit up a couple clubs and the Freshers' Beach Party. We went to Espionage, drank two fishbowls full of fruit punchy liquor, danced a bit, then headed for the beach party. The queue (sp?) was massive and the party was pretty good once we got inside - although they did have a rocking limbo contest going on upstairs. It was a fun first night out with the girls, and Sam acquired a gigantic, beautiful orange flower for our kitchen.
Actually, I think I'm going to stop there. I have some plans tonight and I will start with the 13 September when I post again. Until then, missing you, but having a blast.
M.
So, I have been in Edinburgh for almost a week now - what have I done? I suppose if I were forced to narrow it done to one word, it would probably be... drink. Hah - a little bit pathetic, I know, but it is Freshers' Week (and they do consider me a Fresher here). Every night (with the exception of last night, in which my tired 20-year old body absolutely required a night in) I have gone out to parties, pubs, clubs, etc. It has been absolutely wild and wonderful - but I'm also a bit excited to get started with a semi-normal life as well (classes and such). I have done a little bit of sightseeing though - the castle at night, walked the Royal Mile, etc. but nothing too extensive. So here's the day by day breakdown:
10 September 2004 - Last Friday: Left Philadelphia Airport at 7 PM and embarked on a long and sleepless flight (watched Mean Girls on the plane) to Heathrow.
11 September 2004 - Saturday: Arrived Heathrow 7 AM - had a ridiculously long layover and then flight delays. Arrived Edinburgh Airport approximately 2:30 PM. Caught a terribly expensive taxi to drive me to my accomodation (Fraser Court flat in the Pollock Halls of Residence). The taxi driver was wonderful though - Scottish and proud of it. He pointed out famous pubs, locations, enlightened me on some Scottish history and even told me the tale of his Scottish friend in LA who went to see Braveheart in the theater - then in the middle of it, during the battle scene, jumped up yelling, just like Mel Gibson, to the shock and awe of the other theater-goers. The taxi driver of course, did a wonderful MG impression as well.
Arrived at my flat around 4 PM and promptly unpacked and showered. Called up the lovely Leslie Emmons and took a walk to her hostel on Cowgate. Chilled and caught up a bit with her and her friends from the University of Sussex program and then went out to the pubs/clubs on Cowgate. We started at a pub, which I do not remember the name of, but which had cheap drinks and a lively clientele (sp?) which Jessica then proceeded to offend by asking whether or not we were in a gay club. But still, it was amusing. Then on the the wonderful (and wonderfully crowded) Three Sisters pub for some wild dancing (it was so hot, Leslie could barely keep her shirt on) and a run to the "loo." Then it was off to Siglo (home of the Pole-dancing competition on Thursday nights) and many a Scottish man willing to buy us drinks (yay Absinthe!). We stayed there and danced the night away for quite awhile then Sam (Leslie's English friend she had met the night before) and I went off in search of a cab home and ended up finding some pretty good landmarks along the way (Walter Scott monument, castle at night, etc.).
12 September 2004 - Sunday: Woke up extremely late and proceeded to take a shower. Noticed a family, presuming moving in on my way down the hall. Smiled, waved, etc. Later, as I was trying to get dressed I heard a knock on the door. Turns out, I was in the wrong room and that it was really KATE Gilbert's room. Shit. Finished getting dressed, repacked all my things, and moved to my real room - 431 Fraser Court. But I am now glad I did, because I absolutely adore my flatmates. There is Sam (short for Samantha), a darling girl with reddish brown hair from Edinburgh, there is Pamela, a cute blonde girl from Ft. William, and Lucy, a funny charming young lady from Glasgow - plus there is Kirsty, an absolutely gorgeous girl from Lucy's school in Glasgow who lives across the hall, but pretty much spends all of her time in our flat. They are all great, all Scottish (actually Sam is from Holland and grew up in London, but has lived the past 6 years in Edinburgh), and all 17 years old! I feel ancient. I'll post pictures of them hopefully soon.
Moved in, again, and ate with the girls (Pamela and Lucy were sweet enough to make a delicious pasta dinner - thank god, because I hadn't eaten anything since I'd arrived). We then decided to hit up a couple clubs and the Freshers' Beach Party. We went to Espionage, drank two fishbowls full of fruit punchy liquor, danced a bit, then headed for the beach party. The queue (sp?) was massive and the party was pretty good once we got inside - although they did have a rocking limbo contest going on upstairs. It was a fun first night out with the girls, and Sam acquired a gigantic, beautiful orange flower for our kitchen.
Actually, I think I'm going to stop there. I have some plans tonight and I will start with the 13 September when I post again. Until then, missing you, but having a blast.
M.
posted by Melinda at 6:06 PM
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