Classes started this Monday (the 29th) and we have been hard at work keeping up with all the readings. Luckily though every morning, except for Fridays, from 9:15-1 is dedicated to just that: the 5 of us (Pastor Andrew's son Conner has joined us) sit in our class room and read in preparation for seminars. Seminars, however, do not start until this coming Monday. At first the readings were quite daunting and, as with most college classes, some of writings are very dense. In order to combat the mental burnout that would no doubt follow such an intense time of study, we take breaks in between readings to have some good bant'r and make coffee. Andrew was kind enough to give us 10 pounds a week to buy biscuits and drinks.
It has seemed like Graci and I have gone grocery shopping every day...mostly because we have. We have yet to discover where they hide the baking soda around here. Our fridge has a peculiar smell about it when the door is opened and we were hoping that putting baking soda inside would help. We have not been able to test this theory though with the lack of baking soda and so we open the door as few times a day as we can manage. Other than the smelly fridge, we have been settling into our little house. We should have internet there next week but the lack of us has caused us to explore the town more than we would have done otherwise. Graci and I have made our way to all three of the main supermarkets, found the post office and been to both ends of town with out getting lost yet. I imagine we'll have to go out for groceries again tonight though since we are out of Jam. We also have been coping with the weather easier this week. I actually wore a t shirt today and not long sleeves. It has surprised everyone here how few times it has actually rained since we came over.
Every Wednesday we take a trip with different members of the RP church here in Airdrie. This week Jimmy, who also led our tour of Edinburgh, took the 4 of us on a tour through Glasgow Cathedral. On the train ride there, Jimmy told us how Glasgow was voted the friendliest city in Europe. Then we got onto the subject of Football (soccer for Americans) and he told us about the bitter rivalry between the two Glasgow teams. One is a Protestant team, the Rangers, and the other is a Catholic team, the Celtics. Their rivalry dates back to the Covenantor's time and Glasgow is a city divided. Alcohol is not even served at games but fights almost always break out anyway. All this to say that we will probably have to avoid Glasgow when these teams are playing. I cannot explain why I freak out on subways but I fully enjoyed the train ride. In making our way to the Cathedral, we had to take a detour around Philadelphia. That's right everyone, since Brad Pitt owns the world, he decided to set up his own Phili in the middle of this Scottish city. Well..something like that. They were filming "World War Z" in Glasgow when we happened upon them. Apparently, the city of Philadelphia would not give them permission to shoot the movie so they had to set up shop somewhere else. Someone on the crew thought for some odd reason the Glasgow looked like Philadelphia and so Mr Pitt and the rest of the cast and crew turned central Glasgow into some sort of city (it doesn't look much like Phili though). Luckily though this detour did not take us too far off track and we arrived at the Cathedral in about 20 minutes. This Cathedral was five times the size the one in Edinburgh! We even saw where the Queen sits when she attends church in the Cathedral. Jimmy led us into different rooms, basements and chapels with ceilings so high my neck hurt after we left from trying to look up at them. After exploring the cavernous church, Jimmy took us across the street to the oldest house in Glasgow. The original wooden beams are still holding up the ceilings Unfortunately for all of us but Graci the doorways are lower than usual and we all had to duck to move from room to room. Out back in the garden we found a miniature map of city and medieval clocks (sundials). Soon after we made our way back to the train station and back to Airdrie.
The link to this photo album is posted under the title of this blog. This is the easiest way I have found to share my pictures with you all. The link to the Edinburgh pictures are at the bottom of that post. Once there is another album to post, the link for the Cathedral album will be moved to the bottom of
this post.
https://picasaweb.google.com/108532852514122909750/GlasgowCathedral?authkey=Gv1sRgCMyxyr6V9ZiRkAE
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