Coffee Here Is Instant Coffee; I Am Now a Tea Drinker

Yesterday marked the 1 week anniversary with the new love of my life: Scotland.

I HAVE A JOB!
An agent from Office Team called me the day after my interview to offer me a job, and I started on Monday. I work at Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (yes spelled with an “s”), or SCVO. Groups can join SCVO for seminars, discounted supplies, a payroll service, a credit union, etc. I will be here for 3 weeks or so helping with various odds and ends dealing with membership. SCVO is located in the Mansfield Traquair Centre, an old Catholic Apostolic (Wikipedia this denomination…it’s interesting) cathedral that has been restored into a new community type building with SCVO offices in the basement.

A link for your entertainment: http://www.cockburnassociation.org.uk/default.asp?page=145

WE HAVE A FLAT!
Kate, Anna, and I moved into our flat on Sunday. It’s right on the edges of the city centre on a street called Gardner’s Crescent, and it’s not too far of a walk from Old Town. We each have our own bedroom with a double bed, a small kitchen, and a living room (with 2 purple couches!). We are quickly getting settled there, but seeing as how our entire world in Scotland fits in merely 2 suitcases each, unpacking was not such a daunting task.

Now that I am getting the hang of looking right first before crossing the street, my new self-assigned task is to conquer the bus system. My work is in Leith, at the complete opposite side of the city. I bought a bus pass yesterday, and I am determined to find the best buses to take me to work.

We three girls are planning for a touristy weekend. We are going on a walking ghost tour tonight and will visit the castles and perhaps some of the art galleries tonight.

Pictures of the flat to come.

Snail mail appreciated.
26-1 Gardner’s Crescent
Edinburgh EH3 8DF
Scotland

Cheers.

Look Right First Before Crossing the Street

I, along with my travel companions Anna Wilson and Kate Howard, arrived in Edinburgh in the early afternoon on Tuesday, September 16. We are finally here! Nearly a full calendar year after our preliminary planning, all our daydreams have been realized!

Yesterday was our BUNAC orientation (our only scheduled event), so the three of us have had plenty of time to wander the streets and learn the area. I am nearly a resident! (I am at least a lot closer than I was on Tuesday). We have mastered our section of the Old Town; we have walked The Royal Mile, North Bridge, Blackfriars, Cockburn (pronounced koh-burn), and Bank and are learning Princes and George. We have cell phones, opened bank accounts, and even interviewed with an employment agency today. Claire (my interviewer...haha) sounded hopeful that she would be able to place me in a job before long. I was stopped somewhere along Princes Street on the way to the interview and asked directions. YES!!! Kate, Anna, and I searched the web tonight for flats and have already scheduled 4 viewings. We have two viewings tomorrow at apartments both south of The Meadows. We also have the numbers to call about 5 or so more tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed that one of these will work out...

More to come when I have more to say.

Answers to my FAQs:

I am here simply to live and to work; no academic studying is involved in my plans. I applied for my necessary papers and documentation through a program called BUNAC. I have no job secured, nor do I have a place to live. I do, however, have a work permit and high hopes for finding the previously mentioned (hopefully sooner and not later).

I chose Edinburgh because it was the city of Anna’s choice; I originally wanted to live in London, but my preference quickly changed after finding a flat-mate-to-be. Some time before spring break, Kate decided to join the two of us.

Our work visa expires on 15 March, and afterwards we plan to “backpack” (or hostel-hop as I heard one of our 15 current roommates call it). We have not planned this trip and are very appreciative of any tips/suggestions you may have.