Today my ankles hurt from bogs.
Everyone wants to know what amazing things I've learned about Scotland in the few weeks I've been here as an exchange student, and I believe I can finally contribute something more than "they like pubs".
1. (They do like pubs.) But not everyone spends every waking moment in them, as I had been led to believe during freshers week. I am actually sitting in my room reading and typing this fine Tuesday evening when I could be out in a pub - that reminds me, I think my laundry's done.
2. The Highland hills actually are high. Quite high. With beautiful views. Try climbing one.
3. I used to feel indignant at how little the americans knew about canada; but since talking to different British citizens I realize that the whole world knows very little about Canada. As one Scottish student pointed out, "well why would they? We don't study English history". Just because Canada is bombarded with American television (as is the rest of the world) doesn't mean that america as a country is required to study our culture. I don't know that much about Canadian history myself. And quite frankly, I wouldn't know that much about American history if I weren't such a tv addict.
4. You can wear kilts for special occassions. You do NOT buy tartan patterned things otherwise.
5. It does not rain on the east coast nearly as much as I was afraid it would.
6. Everybody has a mobile and everyone texts. Constantly.
7. Roundabouts are not understood, even by the Scottish drivers.
8. Sweaters are jumpers, pants are trousers, dances are discos (or alternatively bops), food is either bland or indian with vegetables optional, fries are chips and chips are crisps, clubbing means joining socities and likely meeting in pubs, lunch is at 1 pm not noon, and pubs close at 1 am so if you want to party you head out shortly after dinner.
Now if you'll excuse, I have some reading to do for my classes and a full day of planning which country I'd like to visit next.
