We landed on Saturday, February 4th at 7:30 a.m. I can hardly believe it’s been an entire three days! Entering Edinburgh on one of its loveliest days all week, we waved hello to the gorgeous city, and meanwhile a splendid Scotland sky filled with sunshine was greeting us as the sun slowly rose. It was a spectacular, unbelievably surreal day wandering around Edinburgh with my fellow FYSAEs. The Edinburgh Castle is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. This entire city is like that. I love the monuments, towers, and historic buildings everywhere. Even the apartments have the same, distinctive historic style… J’adore Scotland. What else can I say? My friends and I feel like royalty walking around in this city: especially as we look at the magnificent Edinburgh Castle. It’s old-style charm reminds me of our very own castle at Arcadia! That reminds me; I’m not in Jersey, anymore! I’m in Scotland! Hold on… Am I, really? Because this is all still so surreal.
Nelson Monument and Edinburgh Castle: Doesn't the Nelson Monument remind you of the Washington Monument in D.C.?
Moving farther into the city, I noticed how clean everything is here… from the sidewalks and streets we walk on, to the air we breathe. I love how eco-friendly this town is, and it makes me feel like less of a green freak–or at least, less out of place, because I’ve found others who are the same! There are recycling bins EVERYWHERE! It’s such a nice feeling to know that there is an awareness here.
A day in the life... in Edinburgh
We also saw so many English-style red-telephone-booths! And we met (and entitled) a stray cat sitting on a taxicab: Sir Sean Patrick Fuzzy. Oh, and did I mention I’m in Scotland? Because it’s just oh-so-unbelievable! Goodness, it is so beautiful, I might be falling in love… Too bad the city can’t love me back. Haha. Also, Is it possible to find everything so incredibly gorgeous everywhere I go? Even the construction zones?! I feel so touristy, gaping wide-eyed and jaw-dropped as I attempt to take in my surroundings.
Hello, mate!
Our FYSAE mentors told us that we’d get used to the city eventually, but I’m not quite sure this much wonderfulness will ever seem normal to me! We’ve been told, “Two weeks in this place, and you’ll be livin’ like a local,” but I think they’re slightly over-estimating me. I’m loving it so far, but I’ m nervous that eventually reality will set in and I’ll start missing home. We’ve been warned of culture shock, but I hope things will go swell! I miss and love my friends and family back home ever so much, though as of now, I’m not exactly homesick. There’s just so much keeping me busy! The agenda is just exploding with activities galore! We’ll be at Homestay tomorrow through Saturday, most likely staying with cute, sweet, elderly couples, and then that Saturday afternoon I’m pretty sure we move into our dorms at Stirling U. Will keep you posted. Lots more pictures and blog posts to come!
Incredible!!! WOW!!!
Makes me want to take a trip to see how it really feels!