This is very delayed...obviously. I have been busy here with classes and traveling and I am therefore very behind on my blog. In order to remedy this to a certain extent I have decided to loosen things up a bit. So, please realize that these next few entries are going to be more in the style of stream of consciousness and therefor are unedited. If you know me, as you all do, you will probably be aware that spelling is not my strong suit. Also, grammar will be unedited and therefore frequently wrong. I apologize to the English majors among you.
Southwest England is quite a different place from Scotland. I know this may seem obvious when you think about it, but think how many people assume that East Tennessee is the same, in culture or land, as West Tennessee, or that North Jersey is the same as South, or even that West coast and East coast USA are the same. It is easy, as an outsider, to think that a nation has a single identity, this tendency probably only gets easier to fall into the smaller the country. Well, there are many differences that I got to experience first hand this past weekend!!
Very early Friday, so early it could have almost been considered Thursday, five of us set out for Edinburgh airport to get on a plane to Bristol. After getting some tea, we headed through security and off to the gate. Things went very smoothly and we even got seats together on the plane. A short flight later we were in Bristol. We got into a cab to go to Bath and ended up getting a cabbie who not only drove us to Bath but also took us by an ancient stone circle and gave us great advice about where to eat and some things to see.
After a delicious breakfast we headed to the abbey. Everything about the building is beautiful. The ceilings,the stained glass windows and the side chapels are in different styles, but somehow it all fits well anyway. One thing that I loved about all of the cathedrals we saw was that it was clear that people still use them. They are living churches. It is sometimes odd to me that we move out of old buildings and houses and make them museums. There is something about using a building that connects you even more to its history. I feel this way when I sit in the classrooms here. Though there is technology and white boards that weren't in the original rooms, it is still something to learn in the same buildings that people have been learning in for hundreds of years.
After a good amount of time at the abbey we went to the roman baths, which are right across the square. This was maybe my favorite site of the whole weekend. The source of the water that filled the baths in ancient times is still filling them today. You can almost see Roman citizens walking around. The steam rooms were really interesting too. At first I didn't understand what I was looking at, but a friend who is a classics major explained that the piles of stones held up a tiled floor and created a gap that could be heated by a fire and thus create a steam room above. There was also a section that was the temple. Though mostly in ruins, you can still see the steps into one part of the temple and can tell where they have been warn away by the years of people walking up and down them. You can tell something is old when stone has been warn down not a few centimeters but almost half a foot!
After the baths we headed to the Jane Austen Center. While slightly touristy, it was interesting to see the fashion and get a better understanding of Austen's family structure. However cheesy the center was, the tea room upstairs totally made up for it! We got the full high tea of scones and clotted cream (Alex's new favorite spread), cucumber sandwiches, cheese sandwiches and lemon drizzle cake! It was delicious and quite relaxing.
Next we headed up into the Circus, a circular set of row houses. These are some of the oldest large houses in Bath. Next to the Circus is the Royal Crescent, a crescent shaped set of row houses. The buildings are all either houses, apartments or a hotel. No 1 Crescent is open to the public and is a museum. We went in and got to see several of the rooms and the kitchen. The docents there were wonderful! They were very knowledgeable but also personable. One explained that No 1 was built by the man that owned the land and so he required all houses built in the crescent to follow the same architectural style. Also, a good number of the houses were rented "for the season" to people "coming to Bath to take the waters".
After walking around the house we headed across town to the hostel. Literally across town. We had no idea how far across town it was until we finally got there. It was at the top of quite a large/long hill as well. After dinner in town and a bus ride back to the hostel we passed out after a very long day of traveling.
The next day we headed to Salisbury on the train. We saw the Cathedral first. It is huge! The building is beautiful wherever you look! Inside, outside, from every direction! We also saw the Magna Carta!
After the cathedral we headed to catch a bus to Stonehenge. I am not sure how to describe how I felt about seeing Stonehenge. I think I have decided that it is one of those things you have to see, but after you have seen it you are not entirely sure why you felt you needed to see it. The size and age of the stones is amazing, but I was almost depressed by the way our culture has made something that was supposedly so sacred to a group of people before us into something so cheesy and touristy. I imagine that it would be like people thousands of years from now wearing t-shirts with cheesy sayings walking around the ruins of the Duomo making up wild stories about what we used to believe. Something that old, to me, deserves a bit more respect.
We had lunch in the market in Salisbury before heading to Exeter and then on to Dartmoor national park! This was a long train ride, but it was through beautiful scenery! The land looks so different in the southwest than up here is Scotland.
Dartmoor was amazing. It is hauntingly beautiful in a unique way. I now understand why English authors frequently set their works on moors. The land itself seemed alive. It was nice to just walk around the land and soak in the scenery and emotion.
My friend Alex and I headed back to St Andrews that night as we had class the next morning. We spent a few hours in Exeter, saw the cathedral and learned a bit about the time when the Romans settled in the area. Though we were slightly delayed on the way back, things worked out just fine in the end and we got back safely.
It was a fun weekend with some great people. I am glad to have gotten to see an area that is not visited quite as often as London or Edinburgh for example.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Argyll Forest Adventure!
I have always believed that I am blessed to live in one of the most beautiful places in the world. The hills of East Tennessee are always magnificent and I feel a certain peace and comfort when I return to them. However, I have visited many other gorgeous places: The Grand Canyon, the Tetons, the coast of Maine, Venice, the mountains of North Carolina, rice fields in Japan. I feel lucky to have seen all of these places, but I must say that the most breathtaking, gorgeous place I have ever been to is the Argyll forest.
My program planned this trip and so, blissfully, I was not in charge of anything but getting myself to the bus on Friday afternoon. We had about a three hour drive to the forest, and I decided to sleep the first part of it as I had already taken the drive to Glasgow a few weeks before. This was a good choice because the part of the trip past the Glasgow city limits was the scenic portion.
The bus driver got a bit lost, but I am glad he did! We ended up driving down this tiny road that we would have never gotten to see if he hadn't taken the wrong turn. It was so interesting to see the differences in the land. This little road, which I later learned is actually Emma Thompson's driveway, was through the forest and took us between two mountains, past sheep farms and by several small houses.
I am having trouble explaining what I saw so I think I am just going to have to talk about the land in comparisons and more as a whole than chronologically.
The land changes quickly here so there is not one way to describe it. Some parts remind me of the area near my Great Uncle's mountain house in North Carolina. There are fields that lead into mountains and little farms and houses dotted across the country side. However, there are distinct differences here. The land is greener, even in the winter. The trees are different too. The branches don't grow as predictably. The most shocking thing about the land is that the mountains seemingly have been placed on flat ground. The valleys are almost perfectly flat, but then suddenly the land shoots up for miles. This creates an odd feeling for me as I am used to rolling hills gradually getting taller into the mountains. I understand that land on the west coast looks a bit similar, but I have no comparison I am used to. You stand in the middle of a field and look in any direction and the mountains, each distinct, but close to others, is just...standing there.
When the driver finally got on the right road, we arrived at the Benmore activity center. The center is in a building that used to belong to a wealthy American and then a wealthy Scotsman from the Edinburgh area. The house, or should I call it a castle, is really interesting. It has been made into a hostel inside. The center owns a good portion of the land it is in and run activities, from hiking to high ropes to gorge climbing to kayaking, in the immediate area.
Friday night after dinner we went on a night hike. Basically, a guide took small groups of us out without flashlights to walk around the area. We did a few trust walks through woody areas with the help of a string. (There is a string tied to trees that you follow through the woods, and you talk to those in front and behind you about hazards.) I've done this a few times before, but it was fun and interesting as I had met most of the group only an hour before. Let's just say, it is a quick way to bond with people. At the end we walked up to an overlook area and looked across the valley. Even in the dark it was amazing. Little did I know that I would get an even better view the next morning. After a few rounds of Pictionary with some friends we went to get some sleep to be ready for a full Saturday.
We were assigned different activities without much input from our part. (I did request not to go caving as I am a bit claustrophobic.) When we were given our groups I was originally not particularly thrilled. My group went hiking and mountain biking. Having always enjoyed the outdoors and 13 years of Girl Scouts I felt a bit like I had gotten the "boring" activities. I like hiking and enjoy a nice bike ride, but I love high adventure! The gorge climbing sounded intense. They basically climbed waterfalls and up the side of a gorge. The high ropes looked fun and like fun activity. The kayaking would have been fun as I love boating, and repelling and climbing was always one of my favorite activities in scouts. Hiking and biking? I felt like I had done that countless times. Thankfully, I underestimated the experiences.
After breakfast and a cup of tea, we met with our groups to go on our first adventure. Our guide, Liz, was great! She knew about the area and was also just really easy to talk to as well. She took us to one of her favorite hikes. The trail is called Puck's Glen, and I could instantly tell why. If there is any real place on earth that Puck could find love-in-idleness it would have been there. I am also convinced that Middle Earth and Narnia are similar to the land of Scotland.
The view from the top of the glen was also amazing. We were not at the highest point on the mountain, but we could see across the valley to the other mountains. We stopped and had a cup of hot chocolate and then carried on up the glen path.
After winding our way back down the mountain we made our way back to the house for lunch. The afternoon was a bit more intense. We got geared up to go mountain biking! First we headed to a skills course out in the side yard of the house. We rode around a few loops to try to get used to a bit bumpier ground and steeper hills. When then tried a couple of balance beams and sea-saws. This was not my forte to be sure, but was a challenge none the less. We took a short ride across the valley to a few steeper, more wooded areas. It was fun, but probably not something I would enjoy doing all the time. My favorite part was later when we took a more leisurely bike up a small hill and then down to a creek. It was pretty to go through some different land and see some more of the area. When we got to the creek we had to cross through the water! This was maybe my favorite part of the bike trip, to be honest. Though a bit chilly at first, it reminded me of all the times I have gone wading in my uncle's stream (or wet launching for my crew friends). After biking back to camp we got showered, had some tea (I wholeheartedly agree with this custom, by the way) and caught up with our friends in other groups who had done different activities.
After dinner we all got together to watch Braveheart. Cheesy, I know, but for some reason, however inaccurate the film is, everyone here wants to show it to us. After watching it for the second time this semester (and I doubt if it will be the last) we hung around the house discussing everything from movies we had seen to the day's activities. A few rounds of ping-pong later we were off to bed.
Sunday was much less of an adventure. After breakfast and getting packed up we took the long and more scenic route back around Loch Lomond. The views out of the coach were beautiful! We were driving though the mountains, around lochs and past lots of sheep and even a field of highland cows!
It was a wonderful weekend, something I am sure I will remember for the rest of my life.
My program planned this trip and so, blissfully, I was not in charge of anything but getting myself to the bus on Friday afternoon. We had about a three hour drive to the forest, and I decided to sleep the first part of it as I had already taken the drive to Glasgow a few weeks before. This was a good choice because the part of the trip past the Glasgow city limits was the scenic portion.
The bus driver got a bit lost, but I am glad he did! We ended up driving down this tiny road that we would have never gotten to see if he hadn't taken the wrong turn. It was so interesting to see the differences in the land. This little road, which I later learned is actually Emma Thompson's driveway, was through the forest and took us between two mountains, past sheep farms and by several small houses.
I am having trouble explaining what I saw so I think I am just going to have to talk about the land in comparisons and more as a whole than chronologically.
The land changes quickly here so there is not one way to describe it. Some parts remind me of the area near my Great Uncle's mountain house in North Carolina. There are fields that lead into mountains and little farms and houses dotted across the country side. However, there are distinct differences here. The land is greener, even in the winter. The trees are different too. The branches don't grow as predictably. The most shocking thing about the land is that the mountains seemingly have been placed on flat ground. The valleys are almost perfectly flat, but then suddenly the land shoots up for miles. This creates an odd feeling for me as I am used to rolling hills gradually getting taller into the mountains. I understand that land on the west coast looks a bit similar, but I have no comparison I am used to. You stand in the middle of a field and look in any direction and the mountains, each distinct, but close to others, is just...standing there.
When the driver finally got on the right road, we arrived at the Benmore activity center. The center is in a building that used to belong to a wealthy American and then a wealthy Scotsman from the Edinburgh area. The house, or should I call it a castle, is really interesting. It has been made into a hostel inside. The center owns a good portion of the land it is in and run activities, from hiking to high ropes to gorge climbing to kayaking, in the immediate area.
Friday night after dinner we went on a night hike. Basically, a guide took small groups of us out without flashlights to walk around the area. We did a few trust walks through woody areas with the help of a string. (There is a string tied to trees that you follow through the woods, and you talk to those in front and behind you about hazards.) I've done this a few times before, but it was fun and interesting as I had met most of the group only an hour before. Let's just say, it is a quick way to bond with people. At the end we walked up to an overlook area and looked across the valley. Even in the dark it was amazing. Little did I know that I would get an even better view the next morning. After a few rounds of Pictionary with some friends we went to get some sleep to be ready for a full Saturday.
We were assigned different activities without much input from our part. (I did request not to go caving as I am a bit claustrophobic.) When we were given our groups I was originally not particularly thrilled. My group went hiking and mountain biking. Having always enjoyed the outdoors and 13 years of Girl Scouts I felt a bit like I had gotten the "boring" activities. I like hiking and enjoy a nice bike ride, but I love high adventure! The gorge climbing sounded intense. They basically climbed waterfalls and up the side of a gorge. The high ropes looked fun and like fun activity. The kayaking would have been fun as I love boating, and repelling and climbing was always one of my favorite activities in scouts. Hiking and biking? I felt like I had done that countless times. Thankfully, I underestimated the experiences.
After breakfast and a cup of tea, we met with our groups to go on our first adventure. Our guide, Liz, was great! She knew about the area and was also just really easy to talk to as well. She took us to one of her favorite hikes. The trail is called Puck's Glen, and I could instantly tell why. If there is any real place on earth that Puck could find love-in-idleness it would have been there. I am also convinced that Middle Earth and Narnia are similar to the land of Scotland.
The view from the top of the glen was also amazing. We were not at the highest point on the mountain, but we could see across the valley to the other mountains. We stopped and had a cup of hot chocolate and then carried on up the glen path.
After winding our way back down the mountain we made our way back to the house for lunch. The afternoon was a bit more intense. We got geared up to go mountain biking! First we headed to a skills course out in the side yard of the house. We rode around a few loops to try to get used to a bit bumpier ground and steeper hills. When then tried a couple of balance beams and sea-saws. This was not my forte to be sure, but was a challenge none the less. We took a short ride across the valley to a few steeper, more wooded areas. It was fun, but probably not something I would enjoy doing all the time. My favorite part was later when we took a more leisurely bike up a small hill and then down to a creek. It was pretty to go through some different land and see some more of the area. When we got to the creek we had to cross through the water! This was maybe my favorite part of the bike trip, to be honest. Though a bit chilly at first, it reminded me of all the times I have gone wading in my uncle's stream (or wet launching for my crew friends). After biking back to camp we got showered, had some tea (I wholeheartedly agree with this custom, by the way) and caught up with our friends in other groups who had done different activities.
After dinner we all got together to watch Braveheart. Cheesy, I know, but for some reason, however inaccurate the film is, everyone here wants to show it to us. After watching it for the second time this semester (and I doubt if it will be the last) we hung around the house discussing everything from movies we had seen to the day's activities. A few rounds of ping-pong later we were off to bed.
Sunday was much less of an adventure. After breakfast and getting packed up we took the long and more scenic route back around Loch Lomond. The views out of the coach were beautiful! We were driving though the mountains, around lochs and past lots of sheep and even a field of highland cows!
It was a wonderful weekend, something I am sure I will remember for the rest of my life.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
The Coastal Path
Our Group: Me, Michael, Julie, Melissa, Daria
So, yesterday the usual group hiked part of the Coastal Path between the large fishing town of Anstruther and the smaller fishing village of Crail; both of which are just south of St Andrews. We were a bit concerned that the weather wasn't going to hold out, but thankfully Scottish weather forecasters are just as inaccurate as their American counterparts. Though it was a bit chilly and quite windy, all in all it was a fine Scottish day.
After taking the bus to Anstruther we walked down the pier and around the town a bit. We had seen a small, older looking church from the harbor and went exploring to see if we could find it. After wandering a bit we came across the church and went into the graveyard. The headstones were from years between 1626 and the mid 1900s and for people from the town and others who died in Australia. I kept seeing Wilsons (my mom's side) and Scotts (my dad's side) and realized that their was an extremely high chance that I was related to at least one, possible several, of the people who were buried there.
The Church from across the harbor
It has been interesting for me how connected I feel to this country. I have always felt American and have had ancestors in America since before it could be called the US, but I have realized over the years that part of being American is also having a connection to other nationalities. The beauty, to me, of the US is that people do have, and keep traditions, beliefs and values from their ancestry. Being in Scotland had filled that bit of me that has always wondered where my roots come from. I appreciate and value my American heritage, and it will always be my primary identity. But knowing a bit more helps me understand why I do, believe and act the way I do.
We continued the day at the Anstruther Fish Bar which has won several awards for the best fish and chips in the UK! I agree with their title; the fish and chips were excellent. We are planning a return visit, and I think I will have to see if their prawns, "shrimp", are just as good. After a bit of ice cream, yes I did get mint chocolate chip, we headed for the path.
The walk was muddy due to the 4 days of solid rain we had last week, but the views and beautiful land made dealing with the mud worth it! The landscape must have changed five or six times as we walked the short three and a half miles. We encountered bog like areas, patches filled with bushes, rocky areas, farm land (including pigs), beach-like areas and pastoral stretches. It was such a different experience than most of the hikes I have been on before. First of all, you could see where you were going and where you came from most of the time. This was very different from hiking in the Smokey Mountains where you can't see your hiking group if they get 100 yards in front of you. Secondly, the elevation increase was very small. This was not the typical hike up the mountain for the view and then hike back down I am used to.
As we walked we passed a few hamlets between the towns, we came across one in particular that was just so picturesque. I decided I could retire their and be perfectly content. I had thought the charming little cottage in Anstruther right off the harbor had been perfect, but this house, with it's large windows on the sea side and secluded location down a hill from the main road was so calming and welcoming.
As we finished our hike we came around a corner, after not seeing any real sign of civilization for fifteen minutes, and Crail appeared! It was odd to have this little town just sitting out on the coast, seemingly in the middle of nowhere.
The first view of Crial
I realized yesterday that I have now been here for four weeks. Part of me feels as if I have been here for years. I already feel comfortable and like I have a routine. Another part of me can't believe I am here, thousands of miles away from my home, in the land of a good portion of my ancestors.
Me by a rock formation we passed
Well, I must get some reading finished! I keep having to remind myself that I am taking classes and so should do some work along with my exploring.
Next to come, swing dance society, maybe Celtic dance society, and thoughts on the difference between St Andrews and Anstruther.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Some Random Thoughts and Pictures!
A few pictures as promised.
View of St. Andrews from the tower at the Cathedral
Linlithgow Palace from across Loch Linlithgow
Flower at the Botanical Garden in Glasgow
I keep having these thought I want to share, but they don't fit well into stories or events. So, I decided just to list them.
1. The Weather
If you asked me about this yesterday I would have told you that it is not anywhere as bad here as it is in Boston in February, but after today I must resend that thought. We have really only had about 4 rainy days so far and more often that not they sky is much more blue than gray. However, today I discovered that I actually am living directly on the coast of the North Sea. The walk down the street to my tutorial that takes place in the Econ building that is directly on the coast (think 30 ft.) was an experience. The wind was blowing; there was freezing rain/sleet coming down horizontally (yes, I know that is mathematically impossible), and the chill was bone deep. It was difficult to even walk across the front yard to the building, not to mention the fact that it was hard to hear my tutor at points due to the wind and rain on the windows of the classroom. However, I should not complain because most days are fairly nice and even very pleasant.
2. Tea
I have liked tea for quite awhile now, but now it has become an obsession. It is a wonderful feeling to just sit with your own pot of tea and just relax or to share a pot with a friend. The whole concept of stopping to enjoy something warm is refreshing and calming.
3. The Pace of Life
Things here happen when they should happen. Meals are at set times. Shops close so that people can go home to their families for supper. You can't shower or use the "lift" after certain hours. You are expected to do things in proper time. It is a bit of a frustration coming from the land of 24/7, but after getting used to it there is something almost comforting about knowing that everyone is going to be in the dining hall when you go, that you can't be expected to go out an shop after certain times, that few thing are so crucial that they must happen regardless of the hour of the night.
4. Politics
They discuss it here, but it isn't as bombastic or tense as in the US. This is probably because social issues and religious issues are not discussed in the political realm. Unlike in the US where politicians must declare their religious and social positions, here that would be one of the quickest ways to not get elected.
5. Trains/public Transport
It's clean. It's mostly on time. And it goes everywhere. Enough said.
6. Wording/Phrasing
People obviously speak English here, some people might say that this is the only place they truly speak English. However, they put phrases and sentences together differently. It was confusing at first and I am not exactly sure how we have deviated from each other so much, but I am slowly picking it up.
7. Light Switches
They are different here. That isn't important, really, but is interesting to me for some reason.
8. Pub Quizzes
I know this happens in the US but I have really just experienced them. It is a great concept and a wonderful conversation started, especially when someone knows something completely random or the questions are ridiculous.
9. Academic Responsibilities
It is strange to me what they do for you and what you have to do for yourself. They wash my sheets every other week, but I was on my own to find my classrooms and figure out their timing system. In modules you are expected to find most of your own resources and define your own essay topics, but they will give you the final exams from the years before or even give you the actual question.
I feel that I need a number 10...I guess it will come to me later as I am walking across town sometime.
View of St. Andrews from the tower at the Cathedral
Linlithgow Palace from across Loch Linlithgow
Flower at the Botanical Garden in Glasgow
I keep having these thought I want to share, but they don't fit well into stories or events. So, I decided just to list them.
1. The Weather
If you asked me about this yesterday I would have told you that it is not anywhere as bad here as it is in Boston in February, but after today I must resend that thought. We have really only had about 4 rainy days so far and more often that not they sky is much more blue than gray. However, today I discovered that I actually am living directly on the coast of the North Sea. The walk down the street to my tutorial that takes place in the Econ building that is directly on the coast (think 30 ft.) was an experience. The wind was blowing; there was freezing rain/sleet coming down horizontally (yes, I know that is mathematically impossible), and the chill was bone deep. It was difficult to even walk across the front yard to the building, not to mention the fact that it was hard to hear my tutor at points due to the wind and rain on the windows of the classroom. However, I should not complain because most days are fairly nice and even very pleasant.
2. Tea
I have liked tea for quite awhile now, but now it has become an obsession. It is a wonderful feeling to just sit with your own pot of tea and just relax or to share a pot with a friend. The whole concept of stopping to enjoy something warm is refreshing and calming.
3. The Pace of Life
Things here happen when they should happen. Meals are at set times. Shops close so that people can go home to their families for supper. You can't shower or use the "lift" after certain hours. You are expected to do things in proper time. It is a bit of a frustration coming from the land of 24/7, but after getting used to it there is something almost comforting about knowing that everyone is going to be in the dining hall when you go, that you can't be expected to go out an shop after certain times, that few thing are so crucial that they must happen regardless of the hour of the night.
4. Politics
They discuss it here, but it isn't as bombastic or tense as in the US. This is probably because social issues and religious issues are not discussed in the political realm. Unlike in the US where politicians must declare their religious and social positions, here that would be one of the quickest ways to not get elected.
5. Trains/public Transport
It's clean. It's mostly on time. And it goes everywhere. Enough said.
6. Wording/Phrasing
People obviously speak English here, some people might say that this is the only place they truly speak English. However, they put phrases and sentences together differently. It was confusing at first and I am not exactly sure how we have deviated from each other so much, but I am slowly picking it up.
7. Light Switches
They are different here. That isn't important, really, but is interesting to me for some reason.
8. Pub Quizzes
I know this happens in the US but I have really just experienced them. It is a great concept and a wonderful conversation started, especially when someone knows something completely random or the questions are ridiculous.
9. Academic Responsibilities
It is strange to me what they do for you and what you have to do for yourself. They wash my sheets every other week, but I was on my own to find my classrooms and figure out their timing system. In modules you are expected to find most of your own resources and define your own essay topics, but they will give you the final exams from the years before or even give you the actual question.
I feel that I need a number 10...I guess it will come to me later as I am walking across town sometime.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Linlithgow and Glasgow
I apologize for the delay in posting recently.
Here are some updates.
I have now had two weeks of classes and all have gone wonderfully so well. I made it through finding new classrooms, meeting lots of new professors and tutors, learning my way around a new library and dealing with a very different course set up.
A group from my program went to Linlithgow Palace, where Mary Queen of Scots was born, and toured the palace and church there. It was such a wonderful trip and quite an adventure! The palace is not whole, but is stable enough that you are allowed to just wonder the corridors, climb the spiral staircases in the towers, walk through the rooms and even get into the oven! After looking around the church and exploring the castle Indiana Jones style we decided to walk around Loch Linlithgow. That night we also stopped in Edinburgh for dinner. It might have been a bad plan looking back on it since it was Valentine's Day, but it ended up being a fun night anyway.
This past week was a bit busier on the school side of things as I had my third class, Economics of Innovation, and also had my first tutorial and lab for my other modules. The tutor for my Divinity tutorial is excellent and the group of students should be an interesting group to discuss the course material with as well.
I have also started running with the cross country club a few nights a week. The group is a range of abilities and commitment so it fits my busy schedule and the fact that I haven't run seriously in over 3 years well. It is nice to see the area and meet full-time students as well.
This weekend was my home stay in Glasgow. Five of us left on Friday for Glasgow not knowing what was in store, and we could not have had a better time! We were split between two families, but spent a good bit of time with both families and all of us together.
We visited the West End of Glasgow on Saturday. This consisted of the beautiful Botanical Gardens and an art museum. The gardens had plants from all over the world, including the south east US, and I saw some of the most beautiful flowers! I think I took a few too many pictures of the flowers... The art museum was actually a bit more than just art. There were exhibits on all sorts of themes instead of being organized by only time or style.
It was great to spend time with a family and get to know how people live and view themselves, Scotland, the UK and the US. They were so hospitable as well, and the food was amazing!
I know more has happened that I will have to fill in later, but at the moment I should sleep. We are supposed to have a fire alarm sometime this week, and I have a feeling it will be tonight.
Here are some updates.
I have now had two weeks of classes and all have gone wonderfully so well. I made it through finding new classrooms, meeting lots of new professors and tutors, learning my way around a new library and dealing with a very different course set up.
A group from my program went to Linlithgow Palace, where Mary Queen of Scots was born, and toured the palace and church there. It was such a wonderful trip and quite an adventure! The palace is not whole, but is stable enough that you are allowed to just wonder the corridors, climb the spiral staircases in the towers, walk through the rooms and even get into the oven! After looking around the church and exploring the castle Indiana Jones style we decided to walk around Loch Linlithgow. That night we also stopped in Edinburgh for dinner. It might have been a bad plan looking back on it since it was Valentine's Day, but it ended up being a fun night anyway.
This past week was a bit busier on the school side of things as I had my third class, Economics of Innovation, and also had my first tutorial and lab for my other modules. The tutor for my Divinity tutorial is excellent and the group of students should be an interesting group to discuss the course material with as well.
I have also started running with the cross country club a few nights a week. The group is a range of abilities and commitment so it fits my busy schedule and the fact that I haven't run seriously in over 3 years well. It is nice to see the area and meet full-time students as well.
This weekend was my home stay in Glasgow. Five of us left on Friday for Glasgow not knowing what was in store, and we could not have had a better time! We were split between two families, but spent a good bit of time with both families and all of us together.
We visited the West End of Glasgow on Saturday. This consisted of the beautiful Botanical Gardens and an art museum. The gardens had plants from all over the world, including the south east US, and I saw some of the most beautiful flowers! I think I took a few too many pictures of the flowers... The art museum was actually a bit more than just art. There were exhibits on all sorts of themes instead of being organized by only time or style.
It was great to spend time with a family and get to know how people live and view themselves, Scotland, the UK and the US. They were so hospitable as well, and the food was amazing!
I know more has happened that I will have to fill in later, but at the moment I should sleep. We are supposed to have a fire alarm sometime this week, and I have a feeling it will be tonight.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Come Hail or Sun...
My view in the sunlight and some images of the Pier Walk
On Sunday my roommate and I went to St. Salvador's, the University Chapel, for church. The service was very nice, quite traditional and yet also fun. They have a bit of a different tune and words for Amazing Grace, which threw me off. The sermon was on how Eeyore is like God...I think I'll let you all figure that out for yourselves. After the service we did the pier walk which is a St. Andrews tradition. People, students and townspeople, walk down the pier at the edge of town after church on Sundays in memory of a student that died while saving several sailors that were is a ship wreak on the coast. It was beautiful and a wonderful way to feel connected into the 600 years of tradition here.
Today was the first day of classes and though I thought I was going to get to go to all 3 courses it ends up that one of my econ classes will not start until next week. Sadly I found this out after walking to class in the hail, but happily I met a 3rd year in the Honors Economics department who is in two of my classes and gave me some tips about figuring out the department. Even though he is from Germany he knew where Knoxville was!
My first "module" (what they call class here), Advanced Macroeconomics, went well and, though it was a bit frustrating because I am not familiar with the way the school internet programs work, seems at my level academically. I may even have had a bit more of an introduction to some of the topics. After the first of what may be several attempts to get the tech desk to get my WebCT(the internet component of the class) working, I checked out a few books for another class and then walked around a few of the older parts of the campus. The new and old blend so well in this country. The Macro module is in "School V" (5) which is maybe the oldest academic building, but the inside has been refurbished and even the projector doesn't seem out of place. In my opinion, this is a skill Americans could stand to learn. My next module was Jesus and the Gospels. The lecturer (aka Professor) managed to make even the course outline interesting so I have high hopes for his ability to make the subject engaging.
After a quick lunch back at my hall, McIntosh, I headed out again for the Economics of Innovation course. While it had been sunny (though chilly) in the morning, it had begun to rain and even hail a bit in the afternoon. It ended up that the module is not starting until next week for some reason, but I didn't really mind because I got to see the view!
The classroom has a huge floor to ceiling bay window that looks out over the sea and when standing at the window you can't be more than 40 feet from the waves. I think I am going to have to pick my seat carefully or I might find myself learning more about the tides of the sea than the economics of innovation.
Tonight a group got together at the student union pub and competed in the Pub Quiz. Though my team (The Killer B's...we all have home Universities that start with B) didn't do too well, especially on the sport questions, we did do OK in the Disney and Shakespeare(Thanks Mom and Professor Flesch) categories.
Tomorrow should be much the same as today, but the lectures will be content based.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Matriculation, Haggis and a Chilidh!
These are some of the views out my window...We are supposed to get sun on Sunday, and I will try to get some better ones then.
I had been wondering when I might experience more culture. I know really it's all culture, but I thought more might be different than I had experienced. Well, yesterday changed that.
After a fairly painless matriculation process yesterday I walked around town a bit more. I had seen the economics building on the short driving tour the first morning, but I wanted to figure out how to get there on foot. The building is a castle! On the North Sea! I cannot wait to find out more of the history of the building, let alone take classes there. I also have a class in the quad. The quad is the older part of campus and its walkways, arches and old stone buildings make it one of the most collegiate places I have ever seen. Sorry Ross, but I don't think even Rhodes couldn't hold a candle to the quad.
Last evening, after supper, all of the new students went to a Chilidh, a traditional Scottish dance. I knew I would enjoy learning the dances, but I had so much more fun than I imagined. The traditional band taught us several dances (about 8-10) and we went through each a couple of times. It was a bit difficult the first time thorough, but usually by the end of the second attempt I had mostly figured it out. We danced for hours and my feet can tell this morning, but it was such an interesting and enjoyable experience that I cannot wait to have again. I think I may join the Scottish dancing society!
They also let us sample a bit of traditional food and so I got to have my first Haggis, neeps and taties. (Haggis--sheep intestines, neeps-turnips, taties- potatoes) as well as a desert that tasted a bit like a peanut butter cup and some good cheese.
It was a wonderful evening and something that I am glad they do before most of their other dances. Evidently, it is traditional to have a Chilidh before most modern parties and dances (or discos as they call them).
Classes start Monday and next week is "Refreshers Week" where the student union puts on several activities (such as a pub quiz night and a society fair).
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
The view from St. Andrews
Wow, I'm here, in St. Andrews! After a brief morning of last minute details and a bus ride I arrived in St. Andrews and moved in. The town is a classic "college" town with shops, restaurants and pubs that cater to students, and it definitely a walking town. The buildings are, like Brandeis, a mix of old and new...though the buildings here are considerably older.
My room is on the top floor overlooking the Old course of the St. Andrews Golf course, the North Sea and a bit of the town as well. I do not think I could have asked for a better space to live in for the next four months! I walked around the town with my roommate and a few friends and got a better feel of the area and library. I think it will take me about a week to learn my way around most of the town.
I'm feeling happy so far and am meeting new people and will continue to meet people I'm sure. We have a few days of orientation and matriculation to go through before things will be able to settle down into a routine and until that happens I imagine I will be a bit more stressed than usual.
I found out that I will be going with two other students to Glasgow for my homestay later this month and will be staying with a family there. I am excited for this experience but also a bit nervous about what to expect. The city sounds exciting and is supposed to be a center of arts and fashion. It will be interesting to get a more truly Scottish day-to-day-life experience.
Tomorrow will consist of a few more talks, a bit of shopping and hopefully meeting a few professors.
Off to shower before they turn off the hot water!!!
My room is on the top floor overlooking the Old course of the St. Andrews Golf course, the North Sea and a bit of the town as well. I do not think I could have asked for a better space to live in for the next four months! I walked around the town with my roommate and a few friends and got a better feel of the area and library. I think it will take me about a week to learn my way around most of the town.
I'm feeling happy so far and am meeting new people and will continue to meet people I'm sure. We have a few days of orientation and matriculation to go through before things will be able to settle down into a routine and until that happens I imagine I will be a bit more stressed than usual.
I found out that I will be going with two other students to Glasgow for my homestay later this month and will be staying with a family there. I am excited for this experience but also a bit nervous about what to expect. The city sounds exciting and is supposed to be a center of arts and fashion. It will be interesting to get a more truly Scottish day-to-day-life experience.
Tomorrow will consist of a few more talks, a bit of shopping and hopefully meeting a few professors.
Off to shower before they turn off the hot water!!!
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Travel, Orientation and Edinburgh
Well, I have arrived safely and with all of my luggage. It has taken 2 cars, 3 planes, 3 trains and a bus to get this far, but travel went well all the same. After eventually finding the group room I felt much more relaxed and happy. The group coming with IFSA is about 38 people, though heavy on the girls. People are very nice and come from all over. There are four of us that hail in some way from Tennessee, so it has been interesting to get to talk about home while far away.
We have spent the last two days in Edinburgh going through basic orientation about everything from Scotland to traveling to St. Andrews. The city is gorgeous and very easy, even for direction challenged me, to get around. I can already get around fairly well. It's probably easy because you can always orient yourself by looking for the Castle.
So far I have seen:
Edinburgh Castle, University of Edinburgh (Including a statue of John Knox), Arthur's Seat (a bit of a climb, but worth it!), the Parliament (I need to go back and see them in session some time.), St. Giles(also need to go back) and the Elephant Walk pub(Where J.K. Rowling wrote Harry Potter 1)
Tomorrow we are off to St. Andrews to get settled in and start orientation there.
More to come! Including a few pictures!
We have spent the last two days in Edinburgh going through basic orientation about everything from Scotland to traveling to St. Andrews. The city is gorgeous and very easy, even for direction challenged me, to get around. I can already get around fairly well. It's probably easy because you can always orient yourself by looking for the Castle.
So far I have seen:
Edinburgh Castle, University of Edinburgh (Including a statue of John Knox), Arthur's Seat (a bit of a climb, but worth it!), the Parliament (I need to go back and see them in session some time.), St. Giles(also need to go back) and the Elephant Walk pub(Where J.K. Rowling wrote Harry Potter 1)
Tomorrow we are off to St. Andrews to get settled in and start orientation there.
More to come! Including a few pictures!
Sunday, January 3, 2010
In the beginning...
Hello to all my friends and family!!!
I guess I should explain where I'm going and why. I'll be spending the next 4 months in St. Andrews, Scotland studying economics at the University of St. Andrews and traveling as much as possible. Mostly I want to see things, economics, history, life, from a different point of view.
I'm staying in a dorm in a great location (I might have a view of the North Sea or Historic golf course!), and my roommate seems perfect too!
First things first, I'd like to ask for your help. If you have any suggestions about places (in the UK or Europe in general) I should see, please feel free to leave me a message!
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