Exhaustion and Exhileration

Greetings from sunny Edinburgh. My first five days have been incredible. I fought the jet lag the first day and walked the city for about five hours, wandering up and down the medival streets and alleys with a friend I met on the flight from Frankfurt. The city finds the perfect balance between old and new, with giant glass and steel structures paired next to 16th century palaces and castles. My accomodation is a bit of a trade-off: the dorm complex is about a 15 minute walk from campus and the city center, but I enjoy laudry and cleaning service, two decent meals a day (Connor you were right, the breakfast is amazing. It was my first meal here), but most importantly, I made about thirty Scottish and English friends my first day, an experience that is lacking in the American concentrated flats.

The above pic is from Arthur's Seat overlooking the city. It was a great hike with fifteen or so trails leading to the summit. I look forward to exploring them all. The wind was so fierce that Adam and I could literally lean forward 45 degrees. I felt like a highland warrior.

Props are certainly due to Mary Washington for academic preparedeness. My first day of seminar I discussed the 20th century British canon with eight native countrymen, contributing probably more than an American should.


Rest assured I've been holding it down on the nightlife as well. The Scottish kids must expect all Americans to be lightweights as night after night they bombard me with drinks as if I can't handle it. Please. I'm quickly gaining acceptance. I don't want to bore anyone with club stories, but I figure the knights of Russel might appreciate this description: Five hundred Scots dancing to Wu-Tang in front of a ten meter screen playing David Attenborough...and vodka rebull pitchers.

I miss everyone lots (only 5 months 2 weeks to go!) and would love some comments. Everybody take it easy over there.