Aberdeen

This weekend, I went home with my flatmate Iona to Aberdeen. Aberdeen is in the north east part of Scotland and about a 2.5 hour train ride from Glasgow. Friday was a beautiful day: it was sunny with blue skies. I was riding on the train, watching the Scottish hills go by, a stark contrast of dark green against the blue sky, speckled by little white sheep, and I had one of those moments where I just knew that I was in the right place. I call these "Carolina Moments" because more often than not I am walking around UNC and I stop and just appreciate where I am and realize that this is the right place for me. And i had one of those moments on the train outside of sterling on the way to Aberdeen.

Iona and her dad picked me up from the train station, and i was welcomed into their home with a nice chili supper. We had friendly banter about old episodes of Friends, we watched the news, I saw family photos. I think it is those little things about coming "home", like watching the news with your dad or having someone else cook you dinner and makes you appreciate home much more. Iona and I just had a relaxing night in on Friday since we were both pretty exhausted (traveling can wear you out, not to mention going out the night before ;) ).

Saturday morning we slept in, and after a quiet morning we went out to explore Aberdeen (actually I went to explore, Iona and Nicki (her sister) came along to show me around). We went to the Uni, which was incredible. Yes, some of it somewhat resembled a castle. That is something that I will never get used to or get tired of: castle buildings. Then we went into the city centre of Aberdeen to do some shopping because a bright and shiny new mall had just opened. Iona described it as "the mothership has landed." Haha. But then we walked back to her house for tea (aka dinner) with her family and her parents friends who were also in town visiting. Another random thing about the weekend: I somehow became the resident googler! Actually it started out as mr peddie, but then i got dubbed with the title. So when something would come on tv that we didnt know, I would google it. Stuff like "Who was the original writer of the song 'We Will Never Walk Alone'? (which is the anthem of the Liverpool Football Club). Answer: Rogers and Hammerstein, though Gerry and the Pretenders sing the version made famous by the LFC. Fyi. It just became the running joke that if someone had a question, then I would google it. Saturday night Iona and I went out to some of her favorite places around Aberdeen, and randomly enough we ran into a bunch of people that she knew. Granted, it was difficult to really talk to anyone because of loud music, but it was still cool to meet them. It was definitely a good night!

Sunday afternoon we went to Iona's favorite cafe, Ki:Lau, for lunch/coffee/ catching up time with one of her really good friends who goes to school in Dundee. We spent 2 hours in the cafe just talking, and her friends were really cool! Then, as we were walking back, Aberdeen was having its "Christmas lights light ceremony" and there was a christmas parade!!! Now normally I am vehemently opposed to anything Christmas before Thanksgiving, but this can be an exception. The Parade opened with three big snow plows riding down the street, then Santa in the bed of a mac truck. THEN there was the 12 days of Christmas!! Yes, I saw lords a leaping, ladies dancing, maids a milking, swans a swimming, geese a laying, 5 golden rings, calling birds, french hens, turtle doves, and a partridge (without a pear tree). There were bagpipers (awesome thing number 2 I will never get tired of) and a confetti machine. It was happiness. We had one last homemade meal and then Iona and I caught the train back to Glasgow.

One thing that Iona said to me over the course of the weekend is that she spent her entire last year in Aberdeen wishing to be away, but going to Uni and hearing all of the small towns where people are from (ahem) she has realized that Aberdeen is not that bad. I think this is something that most first years experience (i know I did when I was a freshman) and I am glad that she recognizes the amazingness of home, and I definitely appreciated her home while I was a guest there.

This week is busy. I have another paper due as well as guests visiting at the end of the week. I hope you all have had a great weekend and have an excellent week.
Until my next adventure,
love
Rach :)
xox

ps-victories for Carolina Football and Basketball this weekend. Woot.

pps- shout out: Congratulations to Mark and Amanda Doerffel!! :)