Two days in one post

I ran out of time yesterday, so I’m combining Sunday and Monday’s post. It is becoming more difficult to reflect as now I’m seeing a lot of the same sights multiple times. The newness is wearing off, which is great, a different way of perceiving my surroundings, but also leads to a less interesting account of the day.

Yesterday was largely uneventful. After waking, grunting, and forcing myself out of bed, I went with a couple other people to walk Arthur’s Seat again. I enjoyed it just as much as the first time, and it wore me out just as fast. In fact, on the way up we met a volunteer ranger taking a breather, and he said, “I climb it every day, I dinna ken why I cannae get used to it.” I can understand. I think this particular grade would wear anyone out, but it is a short burst that makes gaining the summit all the more worthwhile. After climbing the second time, I've realized why it seems so paradoxical. Arthur's Seat has the illusion of being really high, but it is not. The reason for this is the scrub bushes that grow on its sides. They look like trees on the ground, creating the illusion that it is higher than it actually is. I did, however, lead my friends down a breakneck slope that they didn't quite forgive me for.

While walking around the city today, I stumbled upon a few people protesting the church of Scientology in Guy Fawkes masks. I also discovered where the church of Scientology was located in the city limits.

No new beers today, though I did try Heather ale, which if you believe the blurb on the bottle, is the oldest type of ale. Made out of heather flowers, it was a very interesting taste that I’d like to try again.

After dinner I went to see “The Apartment” with Jack Lemmon and Shirley McClaine. An incredible experience. They don’t make movies like that anymore. I will buy the movie when I get back to the states.

On the way home from the movie, I stopped in at the Royal Oak, a very famous pub, and it was packed to the gills with people. The most interesting thing was that I could hear people speaking all the languages of Scotland: English, Scots, and Gael. The Gaelic was really interesting because I didn’t understand a word of it, but it still had a Scottish accent.

As for Monday:
Today was the first day I have worn shorts! Mostly because I'm out of laundry. Unfortunately, the only laundry soap I could find today was Lavender scented, so I will probably break out in a few days. Here is hoping.

Today we received a lecture on Eliot. A poor choice for a Monday, with everyone tired from exertions over the weekend. The lecturer was dull and didn't field my question to my satisfaction, but I can't hold that against him. Anything you say about Eliot is by necessity loose and airy since the content is so fragmented. In the afternoon we attended a seminar entitled “Gardens of the Dead: The ‘Modernism’ of Hardy’s Lyrics.” But I didn't go! I felt bad about it, but I've never read anything on Hardy, and had been in class all day, so I skipped. It wasn't mandatory, so, ah well.

I finally made my way through Edinburgh Castle and was unimpressed. I felt like I had to wash the tourist off of me when I left. There were some interesting views, but the exhibits were a bit dull. I'm sure it would have been more interesting if I had taken the tour instead of navigating myself.

Now, I am going to join Vasiliki and friends for dinner again. She is making duck. Yum. Talk later.

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Scottish word/slang of the day

For your pleasure, I reproduce here a poem from Tom Leonard. The love poem captures the sounds of Scotland quite nicely, as well as the innately born eloquence of its people. It is best read aloud.

A Summer's Day

yir eyes ur
eh
a mean yir

pirrit this wey
ah thingk yir
byewtifl like ehm

fact
fact a thingk yer
ach a luvyi thahts

thahts
jist thi wey it iz like
thahts ehm
aw there iz ti say