Airplanes Have Accents!

So I made it. It took 7 different transportation vehicles (who'd a thunk that you have to be taxied on a bus to your plane in Amsterdam from the gate?) but I am now laying comfortably on a bed in a hotel in Edinburgh. I know, I know, I'm supposed to be in Glasgow, but I made the silly mistake of not reading the fine print and orientation for IFSA-Butler is in Edinburgh. So Myles drove me to Logan where I frantically tried checking in over and over with no avail, only to find that I was putting my passport in upside down. Then (knowingly) my bag was overweight, but I used my southwestern charm to get it in even though it was 10 lbs. over the legal overweight limit (after pulling a few of my books...). I raced across the HUMONGOUS Delta terminal to A14 which of course was on the far end of the terminal. I made it just as they were calling my "zone" loaded on, made my final phone calls, and off we went.

The stars looked so close that I felt if I reached out the window I would be able to pick up and take a gulp of cool water from the big dipper. At least I think it was the big dipper, it looked really big.

Of course I couldn't sleep. Who could sleep with all the excitement of what was to come? Instead I watched Country Strong and Cyrus (which had Hebrew subtitles...on a flight to Amsterdam? Interesting.). Getting off in Amsterdam at 5:30am was my first steps into Europe EVER! And immediately I felt it when the announcements over the loud speaker started in Dutch. Also a first, not understanding the announcements, :-P. But that's when I realized, no matter what language the announcements in an airport or on an airplane are, they are all said in the EXACT same intonation! Hahaha, well, at least I thought it was funny....

Made my way over to KLM to take a "Cityhopper" flight to Glasgow. Went through a second set a security (although no need to take off shoes, just like Israel). Then came the taxi bus. It was like the Crystal buses at Brandeis/Boston and just drove us straight to the stairs of the plane. Then onto the plane we go, and not only do the airports have the exact same intonation of voice, but the flight attendants do too!!!!! What a kick in the pants!

I fell flat on my face for a whole hour and a half before we landed in Glasgow. Exiting and customs were the easiest thing in the world, but then I realize: Where the heck am I goin? I hadn't gotten the exact instructions before leaving, but thanks to the helpful information desks with public computers I decided that taking a taxi to Queen Street Railway Station to go to Edinburgh Waverley was the best option followed by another cab to the hotel.

I get on and there are a couple of guys sitting at a table on the train. One says to the other, "He don't have that," while the other corrects him saying, "doesn't." The first responds with you British man, while the accused says foreigner, only to both be giggling like schoolgirls. I of course couldn't turn up an opportunity with words/grammar so I chime in asking where they are from, and the British man is not British at all. Actually, his name is Misha and he is from St. Petersburg and the other is Michel from Brazil and they are both studying opera in Glasgow! 2 hours in the country and I already have new friends. After a long conversation ranging from economic development to US history to ranking who's the biggest baddest country 'round, we arrived and I begin to pop off with my bags(all 3 heavy ones...) Misha insisted on helping me take my bags to the hotel while Michel went to prepare for his public master class (he sang passages of a wayward traveler by Mahler). We do and then begin to wander all the way towards the Edinburgh Castle which is GORGEOUS! we then were asked to come early so we could record Michel's performance so we went ahead, I mean, why the heck not? I have made a promise to myself that as long as something doesn't seem plain unsafe/unhealthy, I'm not saying no on this trip. So I went and watched an amazing musical rendition with 4 pieces from Schumann, Mahler, and Schubert. It was fun, I just feel a teensy weensy bit bad about drifting in and out of sleep during the performance...

Photo Courtesy of Misha in front of The Hub where the master class was!

Then after all this, I wished Misha and Michel goodbye and headed for the hotel where I was to meet everyone one the programs and such. That, my friends, is the summary of what has happened up to the start of Mission Super Scottish! Come back and see us real soon!