I was getting used to all the walking around and all the bus routes in the area. Most importantly, I was able to cope up with the Scottish accent...although there were still some people who I wondered if it really was English that they were speaking,lol.
This week started with me getting my appetite back as I had a great meal in the one and only, McDonalds;) lol. I hung out with the other Canadians and felt much better. On Tuesday, I visited one of the campuses of my school and it was known as the business school and the name of it is Craiglockhart. It is designed in a very unique way. I went grocery shopping the first time for myself the next day. I usually go with Dad, but this felt different because I was undecided with what I needed. I went to another campus called Merchiston and it was nice as well, and they focused more on the arts. That Friday I went to my first club and let me just say it was interesting. The highlight was dancing with my friends as well as watching extremely drunk people make a fool out of themselves. The next day, Steph and I visited Elephant House, one of the cafe's where J.K. Rowling used to write the Harry Potter series. I was able to see the Edinburgh castle while sipping on my hot chocolate. It was an incredible feeling to just sit in that cafe. The week ended with Steph and I visiting Ocean Terminal, one of their larger malls (still smaller than Oakville Place,lol) and then we headed to Arthur's Seat and the view of the valley's in Holyrood was mind blowing and indescribable. Nature at one of its finest, one could say....even a picture can't describe the feelings a person would feel while standing on top of one of the cliffs. We have yet to conquer the 2 hour hike to the Arthur's Seat cliff, on a less windy day.
Week 1 (January 4th to January 9th)
While I was packing my bags, I was very anxious and excited at the same time. I had no idea what was waiting me for on the other side and there were no relatives to guide me. It was exciting yet nerve wracking as it was an adventure to a very beautiful country.
The first day was a blur as I had so many things running in my head. I woke up and went to Ryerson to deal with OSAP, and rushed home to fix up my luggage and then headed to the airport, where I had my family and friends wish me off. While waiting for the plan with my friend and adventure partner Stephania, I realized that we would be touching base in 3 capital cities within 24 hours. That was and still is quite the accomplishment. The cities were Ottawa (Canada), London (England), Edinburgh (Scotland). Although it felt like a long journey through Air Canada, we were relieved to be in Edinburgh. We first went to Cairn Hotel on Windsor Street and stayed there for 2 days. The first night, we were extremely tired and definitely in our honeymoon stage because we explored the city a little bit and jet lag got to us. On our second day, we did the same but were more productive as we explored more into the city and walked a lot. The third day, I moved into my own residence and met my 3 other flat mates. I was on the 4th floor (56 stairs) and had to drag my suitcases, but lucky for me my flat mates helped me, and I was truly grateful.Unfortunately I realized that night that my laptop's screen was cracked. I was extremely shocked as I did not now how it had happened. Luckily, I had just got a new phone, so I was able to contact my parents...this shows that we can't entirely depend on 1 type of technology. I went out to have dinner at my first pub in Edinburgh, but I was not in a good mood as I was upset. The next day, my emotions got to me and I started becoming homesick as I felt paralyzed without my laptop. I found a place to fix the screen, which I appreciated, although it cost a lot. I was upset and was worried if I had made a mistake, but with my friends, flat mates and Steph's help I got over it and was ecstatic about spending my time in the UK. That weekend, I started feeling better because I hung out with the rest of the Canadians and we were quite the collected group. It felt good to share similar thoughts and experiences. We went to the National Gallery of Scotland and it was really cool with various paintings and artifacts.
The first day was a blur as I had so many things running in my head. I woke up and went to Ryerson to deal with OSAP, and rushed home to fix up my luggage and then headed to the airport, where I had my family and friends wish me off. While waiting for the plan with my friend and adventure partner Stephania, I realized that we would be touching base in 3 capital cities within 24 hours. That was and still is quite the accomplishment. The cities were Ottawa (Canada), London (England), Edinburgh (Scotland). Although it felt like a long journey through Air Canada, we were relieved to be in Edinburgh. We first went to Cairn Hotel on Windsor Street and stayed there for 2 days. The first night, we were extremely tired and definitely in our honeymoon stage because we explored the city a little bit and jet lag got to us. On our second day, we did the same but were more productive as we explored more into the city and walked a lot. The third day, I moved into my own residence and met my 3 other flat mates. I was on the 4th floor (56 stairs) and had to drag my suitcases, but lucky for me my flat mates helped me, and I was truly grateful.Unfortunately I realized that night that my laptop's screen was cracked. I was extremely shocked as I did not now how it had happened. Luckily, I had just got a new phone, so I was able to contact my parents...this shows that we can't entirely depend on 1 type of technology. I went out to have dinner at my first pub in Edinburgh, but I was not in a good mood as I was upset. The next day, my emotions got to me and I started becoming homesick as I felt paralyzed without my laptop. I found a place to fix the screen, which I appreciated, although it cost a lot. I was upset and was worried if I had made a mistake, but with my friends, flat mates and Steph's help I got over it and was ecstatic about spending my time in the UK. That weekend, I started feeling better because I hung out with the rest of the Canadians and we were quite the collected group. It felt good to share similar thoughts and experiences. We went to the National Gallery of Scotland and it was really cool with various paintings and artifacts.
Start of a Journey
Hey everyone!
I know its taken me a while to create this blog, but here it is. I will be sharing the highlights of each week I am in Edinburgh. I am in my second week, but I will start with my first week. I have been through the 3 main stages that an individual goes through while being on exchange and they are the honeymoon stage, the homesick stage and the adapting stage. All in 1 week...time flies when you are having fun. Hope you enjoy this blog!
I know its taken me a while to create this blog, but here it is. I will be sharing the highlights of each week I am in Edinburgh. I am in my second week, but I will start with my first week. I have been through the 3 main stages that an individual goes through while being on exchange and they are the honeymoon stage, the homesick stage and the adapting stage. All in 1 week...time flies when you are having fun. Hope you enjoy this blog!
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