Little Discoveries

Newest Aberdeen Discovery: They have a “Rails-to-Trails” here, just like in Morgantown! The Rails-to-Trails, is where the city has converted the old railroad tracks into a biking and walking path for the community to enjoy. I ran to one end of the trail, which led to “Duthie Park”- it was a large park with a pavilion and various monuments and a huge winter rose garden. I love colorful flowers and I’ve been amazed that despite the cold weather, various flowers are still in full bloom!

The Kirk: My newest vocabulary discovery is “kirk” which means church. I went to the kirk on Sunday with a local Rotarian, who invited me along to his church service, a tea and coffee gathering after the service, and then welcomed me into his home for a meal and tea. It has been a pleasure working with and socializing with the different members of the Rotary and I’m looking forward to meeting with various clubs in Scotland throughout my stay here.

Bits of America: I always laugh when I see “American” things in Scotland that I don’t expect – like Subway sandwich, Pizza Hut delivery, Hollister clothing store, a TK Maxx – which is the same as TJ Maxx, and Blockbuster.

The Beach: Aberdeen is a coastal city, so if I go left from my house and run I will see rolling hills and farm land for miles and miles, but if I run to the right, and about 5 miles down the road from my house is the beach! I put my feet in the North Sea for the first time on Saturday, and I predict from the cold wind and weather that the water is freezing too, unfortunately it is not a warm beach.

International Students: Monday night I went to an “International Student Dinner” that was organized by one of the local churches. It has been really fun meeting different members and families in the community as well as many international students. I continue to meet students from across the globe, at the dinner I met students from Romania, France, and Syria. I’m continuing to meet new people every day, and met my first American in Scotland, 10 days in, and you have no idea how nice it was to hear a fellow “American accent”.