W is for Wee (adj.)

Ex: After being in Scotland for two and a half days, I only know it a wee bit.

Basic overview:
I’m currently doing my program’s orientation before everyone else’s orientation, so that means hanging out with around 45-50 American students from all over the US, but mainly from the Midwest (to whom it may concern, just a bunch of people are from Wooster! They were thrilled that I knew it). After that, I move into my dorm/flat and then proceed to fresher’s week, which is a big deal in the UK. It’s crazy and has a reputation, etc. On the following Monday, we start classes.

The last few days has consisted of walking around, and then learning about things you’ve seen, from monuments to accents to social norms. As far as accents go, there is actually a good representation of various UK accents in Edinburgh. We’ve been informed that lots of Scots don’t consider Edinburghers to have a true Scottish accent. Most of the stereotypical, barely-English Scottish accents come from Glasgow (an hour west) or from northern Scotland. In Edinburgh, you can still hear it, but it’s only in a few vowels or r’s.

The city is so walkable and so beautiful. There are old buildings for miles with parapets and towers made of old beige brick but every now and then you’ll see a boxy new development with tons of glass. Our hotel is right next to the Royal Mile, which i wouldn't call a tourist trap but definitely a tourist destination. The area is called Old Town and is equally divided between cashmere/tartan/kilt shops and pubs. It’s delightful. Parallel to this is Princes Street, which is in New Town. My favorite Scottish story yet is that there was a bagpiper who was busking on Princes Street playing Scotland the Brave (obviously), and as we kept walking, there was a point where we realized it was strange that we could still hear him playing. Then we realized there was another bagpiper playing the Scotland the Brave just a couple blocks down.

Classic Scotland.

The weirdest part about being here is that I’ve been thinking as much about America as I’ve been thinking about Edinburgh. How American should I act? What are people assuming about me because of my accent? Does it even matter? It also includes changing a lot of my American things just slightly – getting an outlet converter, getting a new phone, using different currency, getting used to the cost of living. Principle among these things though, is looking the opposite way when crossing the street. Like in any large city, people cross the crosswalk when the light isn’t green, but I tried it once and almost got run over because I wasn’t expecting a car to turn towards me. It's weird how intuitive that seems to be until it's turned on its head. I think this is the greatest danger Edinburgh has presented thus far, because, Mom and Dad and others who may worry, Edinburgh is actually quite safe. You just have to be smart, like in any large city.

I think at this point, all I want to do is to be here as long as it takes to get to know the city well. It’s the perfect size and it has a great vibe. Usually when I travel to cities to see the city, I leave thinking I wish I knew it better, and it’s an incredible blessing to have that opportunity with Edinburgh.