One full week of classes behind me. Already 20% of the way toward working with parliament.
I have three professors: first, the oddball Paddy I mentioned in my last post; second, Dr Jeffrey, now the assistant president of the University of Edinburgh and with the voice of a British newscaster; and third, Dr Mitchell, the only actually Scottish person we've been in contact with through this program and self described "Humian Skeptic." None of the classes seem like they'll be a problem as long as I keep up on reading, that writing thing they apparently think I am capable of handing, and keeping up-to-date on the referendum issues (a poll released 6 September show the Yea vote being slightly ahead for the first time!).
With the week's work done, mandatory fun out of the way (they make us watch cultural Scottish movies together on Thursday nights), and having eaten a small macaroni and cheese pie each, we headed out into dangerous Scottish territory. This week's conquered land being Arthur's Seat, an extinct volcano in the center of Edinburgh.
The climb was steep and, in places, no more than slippery rock faces to scramble over, worn smooth by the millions of tourists to climb over them before us. I'm pleased to report that we all made it to the top and completely intact. The view was amazing. I've uploaded pictures from the trip up and the top on my "Pictures" page; many of the pictures tend to get a bit pleonastic, I know. But it was so beautiful.
I successfully did my first load of laundry today, which costs 3 pounds. That's about five dollars. Highway robbery. And this afternoon the one remaining light bulb in our kitchen burnt out, leaving the room unlit, which, as you can imagine, gets pretty dark at night. Or during the day when it's cloudy. Which is most days.
Our fifth and final roommate is supposed to be moving in tomorrow after missing the first week of classes.
I am also now the proud owner of a box of Tesco brand vanilla chai tea, tasted and approved by Tim Clifton himself. What's Tesco? It's pretty much the smaller, British version of Wal-Mart. Who's Tim Clifton? A tea expert that I've been making a big deal about since I bought the tea that I doubt anyone has ever heard of. The tea's good though.
Besides ludicrously cheap cookies, I think my favorite thing about Edinburgh is the nearly constant drone of bagpipes in the distance. Since Edinburgh is an urban city that draws tourists, it has a pretty good number of street performers. And what is there to perform? Usually bagpipes. Although, I did once see a man playing a slow song on the cello while two other people did interpretive dance on roller blades on the sidewalk. That was interesting. Bagpipes being as loud and melodiously soothing as they are, their subtle tones waft on Scotland's whimsical breezes and when someone is playing in the center of the city, they can usually be heard in the background while walking through the streets. Since we live near the city's center, I can usually hear them whenever I head out on a mission. It just feels right.
I have also recently become aware of a group called the Red Hot Chilli Pipers. They are a group that play modern songs on the bagpipes. Please YouTube them. They are magnificent. I aspire to be as cool as them one day.
Looking into the future, our weekend trip to the Highlands is in one month and then we start working for parliament. Next week we're all having out discussions with Paddy to determine out MSP (Member of Scottish Parliament) placement. I want SNP (Scottish Nationalist Party). #VoteYes
12 days until the referendum. I also have a Scottish flag hanging above my bed.