So we made it! I said my goodbyes, boarded the plane, and here I am at St Andrews! Well, it wasn't quite that easy... add in some missing luggage, shockingly cold weather, and jet lag and then maybe you'll get a better picture of our arrival here. The first day we all must have been up for 36 straight hours, so it sees more of a daze than anything else. I recall being dropped off at our rooms, doing a whirlwind driving tour of the town where we all slipped in and out of consciousness, and I'm pretty sure I ate a sandwich at some point.The next days were filled with all of those things you do to get settled in a new place - you know, all the important tasks like getting your cell phone and accessing the internet. Ah, whatever did they worry about back in the day without the text messages an
d facebooks? I just don't know.We had our first beer at The Raisin, basically the first pub we ran into on Market Street. Robbie, Steve and I had a ceremonious cheers with three pints of Tennents (a Scottish beer of a debatable quality..) and followed our crowd of "Freshers" (freshmen) from pub to pub. At a pub right on the beach we were unfortunately recommended to have a John Smith, the working man's beer. Well, let's just say it tastes more like milk than beer.
Academics-wise, we've all been figuring out our courses and meeting with advisors. My MRes Environmental Bio program seems wonderful - there's only about 15 students and we all got to know each other with an afternoon at the pub after the first meeting! We're quite a motley crew, but everyone is incredibly friendly and fascinating. I'm the only American of the bunch, and I quite like it that way.
Although my walk to Gatty marine lab is about 30 minutes from where we live, I really can't complain - it's an absolutely beautiful walk through town, past the cathedral, and all along the North Sea - really quite incredible, especially after spending four years in land-locked Atlanta. I'll have to remember this when making the trek in the cold winter months...
Today was actually the first day I could get away without wearing a sweater under my jacket - and the sun came out! It made for a really beautiful walk out on the
Old Course. Steve and Andrew hit some balls on the driving range, and after we made sure to have the quintessential Bobby Jones shot on the course. Classic.So it seems the first week of St Andrews has blown by quickly, filled with new pubs, new people, and signing up for every possible activity at the Societies and Sports Fayres. I'm no jock, but I'm pretty sure I committed myself to women's rugby, cricket, sailing, windsurfing, volleyball, riding, ultimate frisbee, and korfball. I don't even know what korfball is.
Classes start on Monday, but more importantly, next week commences driving lessons! Once we have mastered the other side of the road, we shall be off on many adventures to the wee corners of Scotland. Stay tuned.
