Week One

It's been quite a week, unpacking and acclimating to life here. Generally, it hasn't been difficult to adjust to Scotland.  Most of the time everything is very familiar, but strange things trip me up. For instance, they only recycle glass, pedestrians do not have the right of way, and it was surprisingly difficult to figure out how to work the faucet in the shower.

This past week, I  joined the Photography Society, as well as the Whiskey Society.  It's important to be well rounded in one's extracurriculars, right?  I also went to what felt like a hundred introductory meetings, bought a lamp for my room, found my way in the library and drank an unusual amount of tea. 

My classes started on Tuesday.  We met from 10:00-1pm.  At noon, we stopped for a drink.  I expected coffee, however, the professors meant wine.  Oh, culture shock!  Aside from the drinking, it looks like it will be a very busy two semesters.  I have to procure an internship for the next 6 months, get an exhibition on the walls by March, and still do the normal assignments and write a dissertation.  Actually, most everything sounds like it will be fun, but I know that my free time now is the calm before the storm.  There are 18 other people in my program, and surprisingly for St. Andrews, the majority are Scottish. 

It was beautiful and sunny this afternoon, so I ditched my reading for a walk with some of my housemates.  Along the way, I took loads of photos so that I could show off my lovely environs.

This is my house, or at least part of it...

Here is my walk to class....  (there are MORE ruins, Aimee!)

And this is the Museum of St. Andrews, where my classes are held:

From the front, the building is less than impressive.  But look at the view from the back:

Today, I walked along that beach, West Sands.

Uncle Bob, the beach is  right by the Old Course.  Everyone is getting ready for some big celebrity golf tournament.  There are tents up everywhere.  At some point I will get better photos of the Course.  Also, there is putt-putt nearby, I think that's my kind of golf.

So many pictures, but by now you've seen half of this little town.

My big plans this weekend include the local farmers market and a day trip to Edinburgh, so look out for more photos soon!

I miss you all so much, I'm already looking for plane tickets for Christmas/NewYears.

Cheers,
Sarah

Hello from St. Andrews

I arrived  in St. Andrews yesterday to find it as promised; charming, chilly and drizzling.  My house at 14 South Street is in the center of a small maze that is the village.  I have a cozy room on the second floor.  It looks out over one of the main streets and across to other pleasantly weathered stone buildings.  The location is really convenient and central, but was less than lovely at 7am when a parade of huge loud trucks drove by carrying bales of hay.

I spent the first day here moving in and trying to shake my jet-lag.  I successfully located the grocery store and hardware store.  My first trip to the store included tea, chocolate digestives and savanna's.  My housemates are lovely, and while the house is somewhat dorm-like, people seem very friendly and communal.  I was surprised to find that I'm the only American in the house so far, three people have yet to move in.

The rainclouds rolled away for a bit yesterday and I took a walk down my street to the old cathedral ruins and to the smaller of the two beaches in St. Andrews. 

So incredible, it doesn't look real, does it?  I didn't go inside, but I can't wait to explore.  And Jeff, here's a lobster boat for you!

Today I walked down to the larger beach with a couple of the people living in my house.  It was gorgeous and stormy and sadly, I didn't bring a camera. The town is really lovely and I promise photos of that, too!

My address here is:  14 SOUTH ST/3 St Andrews, Fife KY16 9QU, Scotland
And my UK cell is:  07583 921687

I hope a blog isn't too impersonal, but it seemed like a good way to share photos and such.  I'll definitely be emailing, too!  Miss you all and hope to hear from you soon.

Hugs,
Sarah