My Own Internet!

Hello! I finally have internet in my room (it was quite a battle to acquire it, I assure you). So, I feel semi settled in now that I have been in one place for more than two days! My flatmates are lovely, one is an American and the other three are Scottish. Two are from Aberdeen and knew each other in high school, and the other is from the Western Isles. They are SO sweet and have been helping me out so much (I didn't even have a bowl to eat my soup in until Lauren lent me one!). Its fun to talk to them and occasionally stumble across miscommunications - we were talking about sharing some expenses for the flat, and one casually said that we should "get a kitty." I was, of course, not opposed to getting a cat, but it was a little puzzling. Apparently it means that we start a jar that everyone puts a little money in that we can buy basic stuff with. And they laugh at me when I say things like "sweats" (joggers) and "pants" (underwear!). Apparently even "buzz cut" is funny, I haven't figured out why yet though. I've even picked up some Gaelic (pronounced "Gallic," who knew?), like Failte gu Alba (welcome to Scotland), Slainte (their equivalent to "cheers"), and ceilidh (pronounced kay-lee, its a traditional dance and gathering...I hope to go to one soon!).

Fresher's Week, the University of Edinburgh's equivalent to New Student Week, has been amazing so far! I went to "International Day," which was a welcome ceremony for all the international students and workshops about things that we may need to know. We were even "piped in" to McEwan Hall, so we could just follow the sound of the bagpipes down the street! I went to a session called "British English for Americans" that detailed things like how we should say "mobile" instead of "cell phone," and that "fanny" doesn't mean quite what it means in the States (its actually a rather vulgar word for the female anatomy). But the most shocking thing to me is the atmosphere here! Most of the popular events that the University throws are huge parties with alocohol readily available! Even in the convocation speeches the President of the University acknowledged that Fresher's Week is about getting "pissed" and having fun (what a departure from the attitude towards New Student Week at Northwestern). My flat threw a pub crawl that started at 630 (way too early for me! I'm used to going out at 12 in Chicago!).

There is so much more to write, but I can't organize everything! Here are some pictures I took while walking around the city...

This is Arthur's Seat, which was right behind the halls where I stayed for my orientation.

McEwan Hall is the main auditorium used by the University - its where everyone eventually graduates. Its beautiful inside!

The National Museum of Scotland! I plan to go there before I leave.

























This is Greyfriar's Kirk, which was the place where, essentially, the Scottish Covenanters kicked off the English Civil War and Cromwell's reign.

















This is just a really cool view from Greyfriar's Kirkyard - there is no shortage of scenery like this in Edinburgh, it's SO beautiful!








This is the grave of Greyfriar's Bobby. He was a little dog who, when his master died, sat on his grave until he died himself! He's somewhat of a legend, and even has a pub named for him!



























My first glimpse of the castle from Greyfriar's Kirkyard!































The Royal Mile! Also an example of European street signs and why it is so hard to get around if you're American haha.

Tolbooth Church, the highest point in the city center. It's not a church anymore, its the center of the international festival held here in the summer and is now referred to as "The Hub."

































The Scottish Whiskey Experience - gonna have to check this one out for sure!






























I saw this outside the Castle and thought it was hilarious!


























One of the views from the Castle - this picture doesn't do it justice because its absolutely beautiful!























The Walter Scott Memorial, so pretty!






































Entering the Castle!




























The Farmer's Market with the Castle in the background! The Market is a bunch of stands that people from the city and the countryside will set up to sell SUCH good food - fruit, vegetables, wine, cheese, hot chocolate, meat, you name it! I got some really good strawberries!