What I love most about rivers Scotland is you can't experience or even see the same thing twice. I know right away what you're thinking. Yes you can. Technically, yes. No matter how many times you look in the refrigerator during the day it's always the same food. Or even looking into an empty wallet. Same story (and picture) every times. What I really mean by it is that every day and moment changes the future indefinitely. We've all heard the saying, 'For every action, there is a reaction.' I was reminded of this important fact earlier this week when I felt my first urge of home sickness. It wasn't home sickness, per say, but rather a desire to be back in The United States for just a day or two. I would imagine anyone abroad feels this way at some point whether he or she would like to admit it or not. Anyway, what brought all this on was the realization of how un-busy I am. In the States it was never like this. I would be hopping from one place to another with barely a break, which is what my body eventually learned to love. Here I am not busy in the same extent. My experiences are more intense and inspiring, yet there are fewer of them. So, on Friday, when this feeling was trying to keep me under my covers for three or four more snooze sessions, I sat up and decided I would explore.
So, I got out of bed with the intent to first eat breakfast, but this would soon be denied. See, three days a week our building is cleaned by less-than-hospitible cleaning ladies. The will actually kick people out of the kitchen so they can clean. My most memorable encounter with them was one day, several weeks ago, when one bothered me in the middle of my shower. Granted, I shower with the door cracked mostly open. There are two showers, so I do it in case someone else has to shower in a hurry. EVERY other person on the floor shuts the door completely. People think I'm weird to shower with the door open, but hey. Who is really going to come in and bother me? I'll tell you who... The cleaning ladies. One walked in and asked me to hurry up so she could clean the showers. What? I mean, is it too much to ask them to vacuum before cleaning the showers? Or even better, post a sign saying what times we can't shower. I politely told her I would be out shortly. Anyways, I've gotten off track. So I wanted breakfast, but the cleaning ladies were in there. I didn't want to even bother, so I went for my run first. Once I was back, showered, and dressed I decided to walk to town in order to save 1.70. Once I got there I climbed a small hill that has a beheading stone and two cannons. I could always see this when I was in town, but Friday was the first day I traveled up. The straw path winded back and forth until I was finally at the top. From there, the view was remarkable. The entire town of Stirling was visible as well as the mountains completely exposed. The large mountain I climbed is only the first of many behind it. Climbing the hill allowed me to see all the additional mountains. The view was remarkable, and I took some videos that I may post one day. But by climbing this hill I saw the world differently. A way I hadn't seen it before. By climbing I discovered a new grocery store. See, the hill blocks the view of anyone coming into town. I had been going to one particular grocery store my whole time here, but when I saw another (much bigger!) just over the hill, I knew I had to go try it out. Friday is my weekly shopping day, so it worked out quite well. Before getting groceries though I wanted to explore a bit more. Down a different path of the hill lead me through stone alley pathways the opened up to a pristine cemetery at the base of Stirling Castle. Red sand walkways cut from grave to grave with stairs providing separation to the multiple levels of the cemetery. While at the site, Stirling Castle towered overhead. It's so fascinating to know of the battles and history behind the land. A poem posted all around the city has had me so invested in the history of this place. I've posted it right below.
Here Stuarts once in glory reign'd,
And laws for Scotland's weal ordain'd;
But now unroof'd their palace stands,
Their sceptre's sway'd by other hands;
The injured Stuart line is gone,
A race outlandish fills their throne;
An idiot race, to honour lost;
Who know them best despise them most.
Scotland is far more interesting than I had ever imagined when I first applied to study abroad. A country strong in its roots and one that has held its own. By the way, the referendum vote (for Scotland independence) is 18 September 2014. No longer - if it passes - will Scotland be part of the United Kingdom.
As for the rest of my week, it's been rather slow. Yesterday, again, I was a bit bored because my friends had all gone to the city for the day. Since I wanted to save money for my coming week in London, I chose not to go. Instead, I went on an extra long run in the morning and then an afternoon walk around the lake. I'm pretty sure I've mentioned the number of swans and ducks before (if I haven't... just know there are a ton!) Anyway, as I was walking, I stopped at the boat deck and sat down to record some of them in the water. Within seconds every duck and swan was heading my way. I was a bit worried because I've heard swans are strong enough to break an arm. I was suddenly surrounded by the animals who clearly wanted food. I had none. So, I decided I'd walk back to my room, grab some bread that I was never going to finish before it expired, and walked back to the deck. Once again, like clockwork, all the critters swarmed me for the bread. One swan bite and several aggressive fights between the swans later, I was out of bread. I've snippets in the video I'll be posting below, which is fictionalized because the animals didn't happen in Glasgow. I just needed a consistent theme. Once again, an important factor of a view. Every view is subjective. If I can learn to accept this, understanding the world will be a bit easier. I would imagine the same is for everyone else. Since I study film - specifically documentary - we talk all the time about what is real or not. My conclusion: Nothing is real.
As for my Easter activities, my floor-mates and I all just had lunch together, and later today we will be meeting in my room (it's twice the size of everyone elses'!) to watch Easter Parade. What better way to end Easter than with Judy Garland.
Yesterday I made a quick video collage that I hope you enjoy. I laugh every time I watch it, but may not be as funny if you aren't familiarized with the movie Clue. To watch the video, CLICK HERE!
Lastly, I cannot wait to share my coming week's adventures with you next Sunday. I head to London on Tuesday, which I'm flipping my s**t over. Oh, and this week I'm also posting several pictures instead of just one. They're quite similar though. I'm sure you won't mind the break from my regular practice.
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There is no way in which a man can earn a star or deserve a sunset.
- G.K. Chesterton |
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