My Semester Abroad

Local college students — from the Puget Sound area or studying at a Puget Sound university — are traveling the world as part of their studies; several are sending dispatches about discovering their corner of the globe. They welcome your comments and questions.

Editor's note: Thanks to all the students who shared their experiences on traveling and learning. "Semester Abroad" is being discontinued.

All blogs and discussions:

May 24, 2006

Edinburgh adventures

Posted by Laura Geggel at 02:47 PM

When my alarm went off at 3:30 a.m., I hit snooze. Then I realized I couldn't do that because I had to catch a flight to Edinburgh in a few hours. I have been so deprived of sleep this week: I've been playing in Frisbee tournaments, finishing papers and celebrating the end of term. I managed half a bowl of cereal before Jane knocked on my door, but I got my act together and we walked briskly to the bus stop. The bus was late and we nearly missed the train from Victoria Station to Gatwick airport. Jane and I were happy just to find a seat! London is empty early in the morning but the train was filled with travellers and suitcases.

Laura, the friend I explored Poland with, let us stay at her flat and showed us around the city. Edinburgh is massively green; it rains off and on continually. First we sought shelter in The Elephant House, the cafe where J.K. Rowling wrote the first Harry Potter book. They have excellent coffee and little elephants everywhere; it would be a great place to wile away the afternoon with a good book (Harry Potter, perhaps?) and a mound of croissants.

I think I unintentionally offended a Scot at our next stop: St. Giles' Cathedral. The gift shop had postcards and key chains of shaggy, auburn and long-horned creatures everywhere.

"Are there many yaks in the area?" I asked the lady behind the counter, motioning toward a little yarn duplicate on the counter. Oh, she did not like that!

"Those are highland cows," she said, stiffening. Only she said it more like "hielan' koos" because she had the most brilliant Scottish accent.

JANE PENG / SPECIAL TO THE SEATTLE TIMES

Edinburgh Castle, May 24, 2006

Jane and I spent the rest of the windy day wandering around Edinburgh Castle learning about the Scottish crown jewels, cannons, uneven cobblestones (which were beautiful but hard to walk on, especially since I just pulled a muscle in my foot playing Frisbee) and seeing that amazing, yellowy green vegetation around the cityscape. The castle rests on a craggy hill and provides a great view of the city and its monuments. It's hard to get lost here- each part of the city is unique enough to identify later.

Jennifer Henrichsen
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