Trip to Scotland Episode 4: Planes, Trains and Dudes with Funny Accents (3/26/06)

Not knowing the lay of the land in Scotland makes it difficult to get around. Making it even more difficult is the thickness of the Scottish accent. It seems to be more common in the men than the ladies. Whenever I ask for directions, I find myself staring blankly into the face of the respondent as I try desperately to make head or tail of any of the crucial geography that was just imparted to me. My first introduction to this was a conversation between two of the bus drivers right outside the airport. They talked for five minutes—I got only about five words. Ironically, the only five words I understood were, “Ye git wat I’m seyin?”

Oh well.

I managed to get on the plane in the Netherlands, land in Edinburgh, buy a bus ticket, make it to the train station, buy a train ticket and get on the correct train. I am now seeing the beautiful Scottish countryside in between Edinburgh and St. Andrews. I simply cannot believe how green the grass is here. No wonder they play so much golf. Another thing the Scots like is, of course, Scotch. I could actually smell it in the air in Edinburgh. Sorta made my stomach turn because I haven’t slept more than an hour in the past day. My body still isn’t quite sure what to make of the seven hours that disappeared into thin air. And speaking of thin air—it’s definitely not here. You can almost swipe it away with your hand. I’ve opted not to do this so far, so as not to look like a complet nutcase. Basically, I’m trying as hard as I can to not look like a silly American. Only one slip-up in that category so far. The train inspector had to tell me to take my feet off of the seat directly across from me. Damn Americans…waltzing into other people’s countries and making a big mess of things. STAY THE COURSE. Anyway…

I’m finally starting to relax though, so that’s a good thing.