Day in the North part of the city, night in the South
Yesterday, I walked more than I ever thought possible. First, Laura and I went to Princes street, in the New side of the city, on a quest for a microwave. Princes street, being on the new side, is the commercial base for the city-- I got my first taste of just how expensice yet tempting British stores are. Also I realized just how trendy tights and leggings are here, which is rather surreal. And I did manage to find not-so-pricey shoes, which was nice.
I can't say that I'm a fan of walking in the daytime here. In the States, it is very subtly ingrained in us to walk on the right side of whatever you happen to be walking on. Here, not so much. In fact, not at all. When I mentioned this to Laura, she replied, "What, like you're in elementary school?" So it is quite the challenge to navigate around the people, especially if you are carrying a microwave about a mile home.
Last night, I took an inadvertent walking tour of the South part of the city. In other words, I got hopelessly lost. The goal was to get to a girl's house at which the New Scotland (aka the Scottish Dancing) Society was having a little party. From our flat, it was about two miles away (did I mention that everyone walks everywhere here? Two miles, being hella far in LA or even Portland, is nothing here, and no matter how lost I got, I barely even considered flagging down a cab). Forty-five minutes after leaving, I called Laura to find out where I was-- still two miles away. Over an hour later, I'm in the correct neighborhood, but completely sick and tired of walking and carrying a bottle of wine all over the city. Just as I'm about to find a nice park and open the bottle to celebrate my complete lack of knowing where I am, I recognize a street name. Success! I arrived at the party two hours after I had left my flat, but fortunately Anna (the Society president, who had insisted I come) was there as were many other friendly people who made me feel like the walk was worth it.
As far as the more quotidian parts of life here, Scottish History, though taught for the first part by an American (oh, the irony), is turning out to be good. The Tango Society is also good, despite a frustrating insistance that they don't need to teach me specific moves, because once I can really follow or lead, they'll "just happen." And, of course, the Ceilidh class is loads of fun. It's been raining all of today, which means that every time I go out, I have to change clothes when I come back in. As expected, I suppose. And now to waste the rest of the day curled up with some tea and the Muppet Show.
Preliminary Classes Impressions and Societies Doings
Chocsoc had our first real meeting on Tuesday night-- the official business? Making chocolate houses! They gave us packages of chocolate cookies, and Nutella. Our table created, in honor of
Talk Like A Pirate Day, "Pirates of the Coco-bean." It was rather lovely, and you should go to
the Chocsoc website to go check it out when they post pictures, and also because you should vote for it. Though in all fairness, we DID win! Hah. Also, I had quite the ordeal locating peanut butter in this city-- not like it's a purely American thing, it's just that they were sold out everywhere, which was odd.
Also, I had a couple tango classes tonight-- the teacher is quite good, and there are some really fantastic dancers there. I'm at that awkward space right between beginner and intermediate, but learning a lot and getting better, which is all I need.
As for classes, well, it's still hard to tell. Scottish History so far has consisted of a class where we show up, fill out a contact form, and leave. It's my year one class, meaning that it'll be the easiest and the largest. Also, Natalie, my flatmate, is in it with me. Should be a good one.
Ancient History is my second-year class, so a little bit smaller, a little harder. But the professors are nothing if not well-organized, and the syllabus looks amazing. (Covering Egyptian, Biblical, and Ancient Greek and Roman history.)
Modern and Contemporary Scottish Poetry is the most inspiring class, in many ways. The teacher is amazing. He dove right into it at the first lecture, and he knows his stuff really well. He had a Scot read the poems written in Scots so that we could hear how the rhyme and rhythm depend on the specific accent, which was incredible. And in the middle of class, he offered us tea, and we had a few minutes to have some.
Sadly, the classmates aren't so great. Let's just say that I'm used to a higher level of preparation, knowledge of poetics, and politeness from people that I associate with. This may be a problem, but I won't complain that much.
It's looking to be a good, if a little bit busy, semester.
Finally, Fresher's Week is over
Now life can get back to normal, thank god.
On Friday I caught a Historic Tour of Edinburgh from the ISC, which was a surprisingly good tour—we went down the Royal Mile, and the Grassmarket, and such. I learned many historic things, took some pictures, had a fun time scampering around the city. Then I popped by the afternoon swing taster class (well, technically I popped in right as the class ended, so I could catch the dancing). I'm unimpressed—the teachers weren't very good, they looked really silly doing their "let's impress the class with what they could learn" routine, and the club members were loose leads, though they can bal a bit. I think it'll be a pass on the swing, sadly.
We tried going out to a club that night, which was just about the same as every other club or dance so far—slow start, then the dancing picks up and hormones start raging. Bah to that. Though the music was pretty good.
Saturday I did almost nothing. So there. It was lovely. We tried going to a supposed student event with fajitas, but there were none to be had, and no one else there, so we went to the Three Sisters pub and just hung out for a while before giving up and going home.
Sunday was quite exciting—we had the Chocolate Treasure Hunt! Teams of four (Team Raging Awesome was strangely enough me and three other Americans I had met before) romping around the city following bizzarely obscure rhyming clues and in general being grateful that I had gone on that historic tour earlier, since we were actually able to find some of the places. Though we didn't win, or even get close. There was still free chocolate at the end, and Natalie and I joined so that we can capitalize on that "weekly chocolate" bit.
After that, I went over to the GEAS meeting—the roleplaying group. I meant to just watch a game and figure out how it all worked, so they shuttled me over to a group just starting to play "Best Friends"—a game based on how high school girls can be best friends but secretly hate each other. Then I got talked into playing. We had quite a blast, being the loudest group there. I ended up joining, since it really was so much fun, and then I joined them at their pub (every society has a sponsor pub, apparently, where they get a discount on drinks— and I mean every single society). We had quite a blast, discussing Firefly, Star Wars, and all sorts of other geeky things.
Today I didn't do too much— Uni holiday and all that. I stopping by a salsa class with the other US swinger, but it was a pretty bad class and overpriced. Then I hit up a pub quiz with the 50 Things Society, which is apparently what people do here. Many, many obscure difficult questions about everything. It was decent fun, but nothing too exciting. Sadly, our team got second to last place. Ouch.
Now it's bedtime— class tomorrow, as well as the chocsoc meeting!
Wednesday and Thursday, just about as long as days can get
I am currently in the process of making Emily's Cuban Black Bean Soup, which we all know is a semester tradition. (If you can't tell from the time difference, this first bit is pasted in from earlier). However, I had to go to Tesco (the further grocery store) to even find black beans (and no bulk bags, either), and since we don't have a massive soup pot, I'm doing two batches at once. Also my peanut butter is tasteless. Hello, culture shock. Since I'm not willing to leave the kitchen (we have finicky smoke detectors and I'd rather not force everyone outside in the rain), I'm banished here for at least an hour.
I will admit that Tuesday was uneventful. I went to my advisor meeting (the first of many, actually), went on a campus tour, and probably took a nap. We went to the "Skool Disco" Fresher's party, but left early and crashed, which is just as well.
Now, Wednesday was quite a day. Advisor meeting number two occurred, at which nothing at all was accomplished. Then I ventured to the Societies Fair. UEd has over 200 societies (read: clubs), depending on which source you look at. This does not include clubs (read: sports). And I can safely say that each and every one of those societies could soundly whip every club at USC (and, according to my other US flatmate, every club at Carolina as well). Each booth was elaborate, having at least a very nice poster. Most had sweeties they handed out with fliers, and some had special incentives for joining right away (the Russian Club would give you a shot of vodka). Also, just about every club is only £3 to join for the whole year. And gives you loads of things—even the English Language club has a 20% pub discount you get with membership, plus organizing lectures and discussions.
If you're curious, I am on the mailing list for the following societies: English Language, English Literature, Archaeology, Scottish Dance, Tango, Swing, Ballroom, Poker, Scifi, 50 Things to do in Edinburgh Before You Leave, Chocolate (includes chocolate every week and a discounted trip to the Cadbury factory), Create (as in crafts and writing), and Philosophy. There may be more, to be honest. Yes, I know I have to narrow them down, but this is insane. They're just all too good for words.
After my flurry of joinery, Elizabeth, Natalie and I decided to join the ISC (International Students Center) trip to Arthur's Seat, basically a very big hill that is in the middle of the city. There was a massive group, but it was literally blocks away from campus. The hike up was a bit tiring (would have been infinitely better with a picnic), but from the top you had the most incredible view. The weather was perfect, too, just windy enough to counter all the sweat we had worked up.
I had enough time, on return, to have a sandwich before going to the prelim creative writing workshop of createsoc, in George Park, in the middle of campus. I give it a tepid review, maybe or maybe not worth actually joining (half pretentious, half shy and quiet students). But amusing at least (kept me away from my still-hauntingly slow internet, which I have also discovered will make my music on itunes skip and slow down if I try to load any pages. Really now.)
And finally, I went on the "Ghosts and Ghouls" tour, one of the city tours included in our Fresher's pack. The guide took us to a few places and described some gruesome deaths that had occurred, more cheese than scare, and then we went into some catacombs, which were entirely too well-lit for my taste, though apparently some people were afraid. Go figure. Sadly, no ghostly encounters, even though I tried to tempt the misogynistic ghost by standing blatantly in his corner.
A final bonus point for me: this morning I got up early and got my schedule ironed out (that's advisor visit number three, not including that I still have to email my Director of Studies to notify him of my new classes)—I'll be taking Scottish History, Modern and Contemporary Scottish Poetry, and Ancient History: Past and Present in the Ancient World. Top class choices, but sacrificing any possibilities of a three-day weekend, so I'm hoping I don't regret this (or that I'm at least able to skip once in a while.
This has been another frightfully long post, brought to you by the insanity of events that is Fresher's week. I promise they'll get shorter once classes start (unless, of course, I join all these societies, in which case I'll be doing exciting and note-worthy things each and every day). Later.
An addendum:
Afternoon of dance! If you were curious, I made a kickass Cuban Black Bean soup with my limited resources. Then off to the Ballroom taster lesson. As usual, I'm tepid towards ballroom. If it comes down to it, I probably won't take it. Stupid routines.
The tango lesson was wonderful. The instructor has a policy about everyone learning to lead and follow, which is a very smart move. And I met Andy's British doppleganger! I swear to god, he looks similar, and even used to have long hair! We grabbed some pretty good curry after (nothing like the stuff from LA though), and I managed to get home to dry off marginally before the ceilidh.
Now, the ceilidh was brilliant. A ceilidh (pronounced key-lee) is a big social Scottish dance. All sorts of reels and country dancing (theirs, not ours) and such. Most require a partner, though most people just ask strangers, since you may or may not rotate partners during the dance. The caller (for lack of a better word) tells you what formation you should be in (big circle, groups of four couples, etc), runs through the dance about twice with everyone, and then the band takes off. There are loads of fiddle and accordion. Most dances include the polka. Only half (if that) of the dancers actually know the dance. Everyone sweats buckets and runs into everyone else and has one hell of a time. (It even kept me from swing dancing!) Highly recommended.
Jesus, this is long. Again, sorry. Time for me to crash.
The first weekend at University
The flights over were uneventful, thank god. From Atlanta to Edinburgh was a good deal of fun, though—a good chunk of the back of the plane was us student airfares, most going to U of Ed, so we had a lot of fun, pissed off a lot of people trying to sleep. Hopefully, once my internet is working, I can reconnect with the girl in front of me. We arrived at 9.45 am, and had to drag our luggage onto a double decker bus, to ride to the city center, and then figure out cabs to our flats. Yes, I do regret just a little using the ghetto-fabulous brown suitcase, but not that much. I got help carrying it, and it wasn't all that heavy.
So finally I got checked into my flat (I was the first one, seeing as it was still pretty early). It's pretty nice. We get rooms to ourselves, a decent kitchen (an electric kettle but no microwave, go figure. Now I have to figure out another way to prepare frozen veggies), two toilets and one shower. Not bad. Four other girls, who trickled in over the day—two Scots, a German, and another American. None are bad, though the German keeps to herself. The rest of us get along.
This week is, apparently, Fresher's week, the importance of which they had failed to impress upon me. I had to go buy a Fresher's pack yesterday, and I am literally triple-booked every day—city trips, club activities, free foods, Fresher parties, and so on. Saturday night was the first of these—a big shindig at one of the student union-type places, though the queue was rediculously long, and they actually just ended up walking a group of us to a nearby pub instead. Us girls hung out and met a few people, then went home early, got a glass of wine, and enjoyed a supremely good British comedy on DVD.
Sunday we ran errands (doorstops, groceries, and so on), and went to a massively misplanned BBQ for the neighboring building and us. After, Elizabeth (our other American), and Alice (a Scot I met at the BBQ) went on a coffee crawl ("the non-alcoholic pub crawl alternative" from the Fresher's week events). We went to the café where JK Rowling says she wrote parts of Harry Potter, but ended up just walking past the rest since some were closed and others were too crowded. It was just as well, since we had to dash to get home to get ready for the beach party. This time we stuck with the line, and after an hour, were admitted into a different student union-type building. It's a bit strange that UEd considers me a Fresher, like the rest of the international students-- I feel almost like I'm back in high school with some of these people. But they're all nice at least.
Yesterday was pretty wonderful, actually. Went out for some more errands (registration, student card, advisor meeting signup—though in all fairness, they hadn't told me that I needed to register, so that caught me off guard) and ran into Alice. We had lunch, and I agreed to walk with her to find the King's buildings, a secondary part of campus. Little did we realize from the poor maps that they were abour two and a half miles away. So we did some inadvertant sight-seeing, but it was a nice walk. Then, despite having just walked five miles, I decided to drop into the Scottish dancing class, just to see what it was like. I managed to then be roped in for two and a half hours of wild hopping dancing (if you dance, think shag, but about twice as bad). It was great fun, though, and so hopefully I can take that up—we did Ceilidh, Country, and Highlander, two of which are social and one solo. Also, I found a girl interested in learning swing, and made friends with one of the girls in the club. So we'll see.
There was another big Fresher party last night, but we all opted out and went to bed early. Sad, huh. But I had to get up early today to take a campus tour and get more groceries, and later today I've got my advisor meeting, and then either another Fresher party, if I can take it, or some sort of pub night.
If the internet doesn't improve, I don't know how often I'll update, so emails would be more likely to be answered (though of course that's not very fast yet, either).
love,
Julia
