Before I came I decided that it was a good idea to record record my predictions about coming to Scotland so that I could look back and compare what I thought to what it was really like. I wasn’t too far off…
I predicted that:
“I will have international roomies,
Food will be expensive and a pain,
I will take a bus everywhere, but will get used to it and figure it out,
And lots of drinking. ”
I do not have international roomies; in fact 90% of our building is America girls! Why they did this… I don’t know. It was really comforting at the beginning because we were all figuring things out together, but it would have been nice to get away from America for a little bit. But it is what it is, and my flat mates are wonderful people!
The food isn’t too expensive. I just try to keep in mind that 1 pound is actually $1.60 and not just a dollar. Food shopping however can be a pain. First of all, you have to rent a cart if you want one, and the smaller shops don’t even have them at all. I guess this makes sense because it helps limit what you purchase, which is important because you have to bag it up yourself and carry it all the way back to your flat. But sometimes the journey is farther, like if I go to a bigger store. I went to ASDA once, and it was great, but you will see why I have not been back yet: …
When you go to a bigger store (you buy more) and it’s more like; carrying all your groceries down the street, wait for the bus, haul all your crap up the stairs, sit on the bus, try not to fall down the stairs, walk to the flat, walk up the stairs to the flat, and then collapse on the couch and wonder why you bought so much.
My third prediction was dead on. I do take the bus everywhere. And I am finally getting a hang of it. I also walk a lot too.
And lastly; drinking. I’m not gonna lie, I was a little scared about this one. Being the 20 year old innocent girl that I am, the thought kinda terrified me. And it’s true; they do drink a lot here. They are called one of the most alcoholic nations for a reason. But the drinking I have encountered has not been super crazy. People casually drinking is just what they do here. It’s a big part of the culture to go out to a pub and grab a pint with you mates or order wine with dinner.
I know that people here tend to drink a lot, but it’s not so much abusing alcohol. Late at night you will see a few drunk people wandering home, and sometimes asking you things. But they are harmless; they can’t even walk straight.
They also drink a lot of pop called "Iron Bru." It's bright orange, taiste a lot like bubble gum, and its real suggary.
