So, I am a failure at blogging.
This post is my attempt to change that.
I arrived in Edinburgh for my semester at the University of Edinburgh 12 days ago after a quick trip to DC to visit some of my favorite people from GW. Anyone who saw me 13-15 days ago can tell you that I was somewhere in between excitement, nervousness, and disbelief about the fact that I would be traveling across an ocean, to a continent I had never been, by myself, to a place I would stay for 3 months. I spent the whole summer gearing up for my trip though, and figured at the least I would be prepared and I was reassured by my friends and family (esp. Emi Acquafredda, thank youuuuu) that I would be fine.
So, on September 11th I showed up to Dulles airport for my flight to Edinburgh via London about 3 hours early, had my last Mexican meal at Chipotle (if that even counts) and talked to my family and friends while I waited.
Eventually it was time for my flight. I gushed all of the terrible things about it into a word document afterward, but luckily I have had time to let it all mellow over the last week and a half, so you'll just get the footnotes. First of all, I flew British Air and overall it was a good experience, just frustrating on a personal level. Here were the major minuses:
1. My carry-on bag did not fit in the overhead bin. No one would help me with it. Everyone told me it wouldn't work. I got looked at like I was a stupid American who didn't understand that I couldn't just force a bag into a compartment. I eventually got it in, so take that non-believers! Still frustrating though...
2. The lady who sat next to me was really rude to me when I first sat down (she rolled her eyes when I told her I was sitting there after my bag-stuffing shenanigans), and had NO concept of personal space. I couldn't get to my tv or tray table (which pull out of the armrests in the row I was in) because she was all over them. Oh well, I killed her with kindness by holding stuff for her, moving her purse for her when time came to land, etc. and she eventually came around.
While I was in London for my layover, the one part of my journey that I though would be frustrating: getting my visa, was the easiest part. I didn't need anything I brought with me, all I did was answer 4 questions and I was done. Womp womp.
Major London Heathrow annoyances: had to drink almost a whole (nalgene) bottle of water at security because there was nowhere to dump it out, couldn't get internet to let my parents know I arrived, paid a ridiculous amount for Starbucks (but what is new?).
This post is my attempt to change that.
I arrived in Edinburgh for my semester at the University of Edinburgh 12 days ago after a quick trip to DC to visit some of my favorite people from GW. Anyone who saw me 13-15 days ago can tell you that I was somewhere in between excitement, nervousness, and disbelief about the fact that I would be traveling across an ocean, to a continent I had never been, by myself, to a place I would stay for 3 months. I spent the whole summer gearing up for my trip though, and figured at the least I would be prepared and I was reassured by my friends and family (esp. Emi Acquafredda, thank youuuuu) that I would be fine.
So, on September 11th I showed up to Dulles airport for my flight to Edinburgh via London about 3 hours early, had my last Mexican meal at Chipotle (if that even counts) and talked to my family and friends while I waited.
Eventually it was time for my flight. I gushed all of the terrible things about it into a word document afterward, but luckily I have had time to let it all mellow over the last week and a half, so you'll just get the footnotes. First of all, I flew British Air and overall it was a good experience, just frustrating on a personal level. Here were the major minuses:
1. My carry-on bag did not fit in the overhead bin. No one would help me with it. Everyone told me it wouldn't work. I got looked at like I was a stupid American who didn't understand that I couldn't just force a bag into a compartment. I eventually got it in, so take that non-believers! Still frustrating though...
2. The lady who sat next to me was really rude to me when I first sat down (she rolled her eyes when I told her I was sitting there after my bag-stuffing shenanigans), and had NO concept of personal space. I couldn't get to my tv or tray table (which pull out of the armrests in the row I was in) because she was all over them. Oh well, I killed her with kindness by holding stuff for her, moving her purse for her when time came to land, etc. and she eventually came around.
While I was in London for my layover, the one part of my journey that I though would be frustrating: getting my visa, was the easiest part. I didn't need anything I brought with me, all I did was answer 4 questions and I was done. Womp womp.
Major London Heathrow annoyances: had to drink almost a whole (nalgene) bottle of water at security because there was nowhere to dump it out, couldn't get internet to let my parents know I arrived, paid a ridiculous amount for Starbucks (but what is new?).
After all of that though, I eventually made it to Edinburgh. My room here is great, the campus is a little far, everything is a little expensive, and it is definitely going to be cold, but I really like it so far. On my second and third nights I met some people who are definitely going to be some of my close friends while I am here (for future reference, Kristin, who is from GW also, and Colin and Omar who go to Ohio State). We have done some fun stuff already, including going out to pubs, overpaying to go to overcrowded clubs, shopping, going to the gym, seeing the Pope, and climbing Arthur's Seat (pictures below).
Being dance-y at the top of Arthur's Seat
Being dance-y at the top of Arthur's Seat
Kristin and I at the top of Arthur's Seat
Me, Kristin and Colin after seeing the PopeThat is all for now, hopefully I will be good and will post often. Thanks for reading!!!
1 comment:
Your life is awesome. Blog more!
ps: sambuca
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