Scotland, We Have Arrived!

Wow, this trip has been a whirlwind. I left Boise on Wednesday (Sept. 4) afternoon and arrived to Edinburgh midday Thursday. It was a bit of a struggle getting my life together all on my own (first major step of adulthood?). I was the first to arrive in my 8 (!) person flat, and let me just tell you it was a very unglamorous entrance. It always astonishes me, that no matter how hard you try, you will never look beautiful after a transatlantic flight. I left Boise showered, groomed, perfumed and bright-eyed only to arrive sweaty, disheveled, and accompanied by large bags under the eyes.

Luckily, I was able to get a taxi easily, and was graced with the cutest cabbie ever. He was so sweet, offering various life tips for an American living in this great city. It seemed that this transition was going to go very smoothly. And then I got to key collection...

I arrived at my campus to sign my lease and collect my key. My cute, adopted grandfather of a taxi driver graciously waited with my luggage so I wasn't burdened with the struggle of hauling it up the mountain of stairs leading into the building. I ran up the stairs expecting a swift, orderly process. What I got was a 45 minute queue just to check in, and then another ten minute line to sign and collect. I longed for the efficient lines Utah State had taught me to expect from the world.

Eventually I made it back to the taxi and then to my flat. The damage? Forty-five pounds. But it was okay right? I had arrived and thats all that mattered...until they told my my name wasn't on the list, as if it were a posh night club and I had zero chance of getting in. Eventually everything was sorted and I was led to my room where I collapsed on my sheet-less mattress with the energy to only do one important thing: get some Wifi.

Once all social media outlets had been checked and updated (give me a break...I'm a PR grad, its in my blood), I mustered the energy to refresh and head out on the town in search for my number one priority purchase, Diet Coke. Yes, that's correct, more important than sheets, towels or any actual sustenance, I sought after the elixir of life, Diet Coke.