Scotland
is an amazing place. I have been to Europe many times but unfortunately I have
not been able to visit the United Kingdom. From the moment that we landed
everyone here has just been so friendly and it makes you just feel at home. The
biggest shock to me was when we were getting into the taxies and the driver
told me that I could sit up front, I naturally walked to the right side of the
car and opened the door but shockingly I forgot that is where the driver is.
The driver was explaining to me about Edinburgh and how everyone was out in the
city with their friends and family just enjoying the nice weather. This was no
surprise to me since European people love to be outside and some of us
Americans are well lazy.
I
personally love the European public transportation system and how everyone is
outdoors and just being physically active, it makes me wish America would
follow suit but this would not happen especially when students complain about
walking across the Belknap campus which isn’t very big.
Since
our dorms are right next to a big mountain I was wondering what it is and
finally found out, it is called Arthurs seat and is an extinct volcano that
people climb. From our dorm I could barely see the outline of people trekking
to the top like the adventurous people trekking to the top of Everest in a line
but minus the gear, snow and subzero temperatures. I have attached pictures and
a video. The journey up Arthurs seat was inspiring due to the beauty and just
old world appeal of everything. In the US I don’t think people would be
climbing it but instead someone would of destroyed the scenic aura of the place
and built a road so that busses and cars would then drive up, I am glad that
the only way to the top is to walk. Being here just makes you want to explore
and walk everywhere, if you don’t want to walk much further than you can always
take a train, bus or even a taxi.
From
being here I have really felt welcomed into this great and beautiful land. I am
proud that I was able to attend this conference which is currently on going and
meet people from far reaches of the globe. I have met people from the middle of
the pacific to the middle east, all over Europe and the US. Where else would
you meet this diverse group of scholars all coming together to share what they
have learned over the past year.
As
a proud American that has been all over the world, I feel that more Americans
especially students need to visit the world. We are not the only country out
there and need to diversify our selves. There is so much out there to see so
why should we just stay in the US when the adventure is waiting on us. Life is
changing and so is the world, especially since there are places here that is
well over a 800 years old that is still being used today, there is nothing this
old in the US that is still being used, as far as I know.
-John Journey
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The CEHD group ready for their journey in Edinburgh, Scotland. At the Newark airport the enthusiastic faces of Melissa, Shelley, Dr. Stone, Tracey, Caroline, John, Megan, Dr. Herd, Stephanie P., Stephanie K, and Cicely. Safe travels to you all!
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| Dr. Herd, Tracey, John, Stephanie P., and Megan, with Edinburgh in the background. |
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| Arthur's Seat. |
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| John, with Edinburgh in the background. |
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| A view of Edinburgh. |
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| Megan, John, and Stephanie P. |
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| John in Edinburgh. |
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| Megan throwing the "L" Cards sign. |
Check this video out!
