Welcome Events

At Napier University they have what is called "Fresher's Week" which is basically a week of social activities for new, returning and international students to get to know each other, make new friends and integrate. Some events were free, some you could purchase a Freshers Week Pass and head to all the late night pubs with after party after after party, and others you purchased individual tickets specifically for that event. I happened to purchase two individual tickets to the Safari Tour and the Pitlochry Highland Games.

the Safari Tour: We went to one of Scotland's Premier Safari Parks, Blair Drummond. Here they had what your normal zoo's have, except the cages. All the animals roamed freely. Downfall was when you went to see animals such as lions you could only drive by, no walking. Plus was we were able to ride a wave boat to a loan island where they kept their chimpanzee's.

Here's a few pictures from Blair Drummond:



Pitlochry Highland Games: One of the most associated things with Scotland is the Highland Games and I just happened to be so lucky as to see one of the last official games held in Scotland for the 2010 season. The games were held in a small town called Pitlochry. It is a very picturesqe town, with little tea shops, sheep shops, and your tourist hussel and bussel. There was tartan and kilts everywhere, even a few "true traditional" highlanders. We were able to experience pipe bands, solo piping, highland dancing, tossing the caber, throwing the hammer, tug of war, track events, cycling, and a pipe band parade. Plus there was food and whiskey galore.

Here's a few pictures from the Games:

Highland Dancing:


Solo Piping:

Tossing the Caber:

Throwing the Hammer:

Tug of War:

Track Events:

Pipe Band Parade:

Extra:

A Series of Events

Its been a while...but a very busy while for me. So many fun and exciting things have taken place since my last post, so I thought I would finally tune you all in on all my adventures.

Lets see where to begin...Only a few days after meeting my new flatmates we all decided to do one of the staples of Edinburgh - visit the Royal Mile or High Street. This is the street that connects both the Castle and Palace of Holyroodhouse (where the Queen stays on vacation). This street is the most popular street in Edinburgh, lined with shops, pubs and more history than most know about. It is also surrounded by a maze of medieval wynds and closes (I now know where JK Rowling got her inspirations for Harry Potter).

The majority of the buildings located on the Royal Mile are 17th- to 19th century tenement buildings. And despite the name the Royal "Mile" is actually a little longer than a mile. The "Royal" comes from being used by past kings and queens as a processional route between the castle, parliament and the palace.

Here's a few pictures from our stroll:

The Whitehart Inn - where i tried Haggis, Tatties and Neeps for the first time.


St. Giles Cathedral - known for its stained glass and organ. This is also where John Knox served as a minister.



The Copper Man - yes that's a real man, if you don't put money in his cup he'll hit you with his sword.


John Knox's House - one of the oldest surviving tenement, dates from around 1490.


One of the many closes found down the Royal Mile.


"the largest, longest and finest street for buildings and number of inhabitants, not only in Britain, but in the world"
- Daniel Degoe 1723

the First few days

Arrived in Edinburgh safe and sound, and defiantly with a rush of excitement. Between the hussel of a new confusing airport, last minute changing of flight details I didn't have a second to spare until i met Napier Direct to be picked up. the first day was a lot of waiting. we were taken from the airport to pick up our keys for our new flat at the Craiglochart campus pictured below. We walked up to see "the Egg" a dominating structure that completely contradicts everything else you've just seen. It is squished in between the more traditional buildings. It definatly has its wow factor.

After a long first day i was able to meet my other flatmates. Cassie from Tennessee, Marie from Austria, Amandine from south of France, and Kaycee from California. We took a trip back to campus, and to Princes St one of the most popular streets in Edinburgh. It lies between New and Old town. Heres some views i saw on the way:

View of the Castle:
3 of the new flatmates: Marie, Amandine, and Cassie

Final Presentaion

Check out my partner Hannah Daugherty's blog for a synapses of our final project!

http://hdaugherty.blogspot.com/

A look at my surroundings...

My new City: Edinburgh

My new Campus: Edinburgh Napier University

Craiglockhart Campus: It was recently reopened after extensive refurbishment. It houses the Business School...

...Its a bit imposing on its surroundings...

A new Castle: Edinburgh Castle

...located right around the corner from my new home!!!

"Perched on an extinct volcano, this instantly recognizable fortress is a powerful national symbol and part of the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh...Its story is Scotland's Story..."

edinburghcastle.gov.uk

A new Experience: Forth Rail Bridge

"There's a contrast in the structure as each spar is led astray
The sunset lingers for a moment as the sun sinks into the spray
A fleeting glance is cast when a movement is seen below,
A train passes by with a clatter dispite the Forth's ebb & flow

We have known the strength of the bridge when passing across it's rails

Ant it's beauty fascinates those of us who have made a contribution with a few penny hails

Then sun sets into being the moment we might gasp & sign whilt there.

Each rivit is then enclosed by the darkness & each second gives us a share"

Matt Rooney, August 2005

Day 4 - Tuesday March 9, 2010

I actually slept. Finally I got to wake up to my alarm clock and not the pigeons.

We eat breakfast in the room again... today we meet at 9:15 to go to a few museums. We find out Ben's sick today and has to stay in the hostel. The first museum we go to is the National Museum.
The artifacts are interesting (I guess) but very repetitive. I can't look at a ball of stone and see art. We go through the 3 levels fairly quickly and have a lot o f time to kill. We go to the gift shop and look around. Time to go but we are missing Carlos.

We go to eat lunch at this really small restaurant. It was good but way too spicy for my taste. We got to try Indian Icecream...it comes on a stick. It was good but kind of chalky tasting.
Next museum. National gallery of modern art. We aren't allowed to take pictures here. I like this museum better but the circulation is really odd. There are a lot of paintings that I would love to buy. Hopefully they have a good shop...They don't. Out of a list of around 13, I didn't find one painting in the shop.

After the museum we decide to go back to the hotel for about an hour or so before we go for dinner.

We have Indo-Chinese food tonight. The place we go to smells aweful. Like a litter box mixed with a portajohn. No one can handle the smell. We can't wait for the food to come to mask the smell.

The food is pretty good. Different. We walk around the shops for a while then head back to the hostel.

Day 3 - Monday March 8, 2010

I woke up early again today. The cause - pigeons and chanting from the mosque across the way. We all decide to sport our Fabindia clothing today. We meet at 9:15 to head to Qutb Minar.

We get a surprise when we get off of the bus, we aren't the only white people today. There are a lot of school kids visiting the site today. Tina gives us 15 minutes to start off with. Me and Robert head off to explore. Its absolutely amazing. It is an example of Indo-Islamic Architecture, and is the tallest brick minaret in the world (72.5 meters). It is comprised of red sandstone, intricate carvings and quotes from the Qur'an.


After the 15 minutes we head back to the main entrance to meet one of tina's old professors, and flat mate. He speaks with us for a while and then leads us around the complex. The size, scale and detail of everything is breathtaking. I can't imaging trying to build a structure of this magnitude without the technology of today.
We get swarmed by a huge group of school girls. After they finally disperse Tina's professor says "now you know how it feels to be a celebrity" - i feel bad for celebrities.
After walking around on our own for a while longer its time to head to lunch. We end up at this really upscale restaurant. It's got to be the best Indian food that Ive had so far. Today is Anna's birthday (the big 21) they bring out cake.After lunch we head to Humayan's Tomb. Another example of the symmetry explored in architecture, the use of scale, and the incorporation of water in their design. I really don't like our guide he continually yells at us for taking pictures, and he doesn't seem to know what he's talking about. Ancient Indians must have been massive, the rise of their stairs are extreme.I end up walking around the tomb alone, just taking it in. I eventually meet Megan and Anna. They are watching a young boy work, or we aren't really sure if hes working he basically just moves a water hose from one spot to another, creating a huge puddle of water.


Once we make it around the entire place we meet with the rest of the group. Tina shows us a game she used to play as a child. Who can knock the opponents stamen off first. Its invigorating..
Tonight we are getting the opportunity to see a live performance of some Indian music, but before that we eat at this place called the "American Diner." It's the worst imitation of American food I've ever ate, I wonder if this is how Indian's feel when they come to America and eat Indian food.

It's international woman's day, this is what the performance is for. The first performer is really good, but we are all so exhausted from the day that we can't make it through the second more traditional performer.