2010暑假爱丁堡大学语言文化项目日志
爱丁堡，一座充满魅力的城市【日志（十）2010年8月5日】
早上7点半，懒洋洋地从被窝里爬起来，一阵磨蹭之后奔下楼吃早餐。Julia起晚之后，我就很少吃我爱的燕麦粥了，泪。自己烤了面包，本着对自己负责的长远打算控制着自己只抹了一点butter，还拿牛奶泡了某种类似巧克力豆的膨化食品，一边吃一边腹黑，这种东西在中国肯定被叫做垃圾食品。吃完早餐急匆匆和Julia和俩小姑娘告别，奔去bus station。
穿过过每次被我称为“乡村小道”的shortcut，及时赶到公车站，抬头看了眼bus tracker，上面的“DUE”让我格外喜悦，心里禁不住再一次赞叹这东西的价值。大爱Edinburgh的公车，虽然bus pass有点小贵让人耿耿于怀，但是大部分时间公车都很空且是双层的，非常适合观光。想来刚来前几天我们几个女生就坐着公车满城逛，每每都是到了terminal之后被好心的公车司机误以为是迷路的孩子，特热心的指路。还坐公车去找海，想来都觉得美好而浪漫。
经过又一个上午“唇枪舌战”的上课，终于到了欢腾的午饭时间。我怨念地爬着巨长的坡朝其他同学所在教学楼赶，一边怨念地想这里人怎么可以把城市建在山上！！坐车下坡跟过山车一感觉……默默地坐在Subway里啃涨价了的特价三明治，心想还不如啃人民币来得痛快，这里食物真是贵得人肉疼。
下午在self-access center上网学习完后，和大家一起赶往National Museum of Scotland。进到这个博物馆，我才真的有体会这里和中国的巨大差距。这个博物馆里面，大部分的都是孩子，不仅仅有各种展览，还有很多互动的节目。孩子们在博物馆里面玩得不亦乐乎。我想，什么时候起，我们中国的孩子们也开始在博物馆里打发童年，也许才会真正为这个民族的改变做进一步努力。
回到家洗完澡，陪Alison和Emi玩了会游戏，就到了每天最期待的晚饭时间。Julia实在是一个太好的大厨，每天换着花样给我做好吃的。而且大部分我都很喜欢，每每吃的我极有负罪感。晚餐过后的甜点是brownie和ice cream，薄荷味道的冰激凌，其实有点小怪。吃晚饭，一顿收拾，一家人就奔往Edinburgh Castle，去看今晚的The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo。本来是不知道这个传统的晚会的，Julia特别好心的订票时帮我订了一张，才让我有了如此精彩的记忆。
今年的tattoo是六十年了，这个也算是爱丁堡每年夏季festival中比较正经官方的一个演出，其他的fringe演出，主要集中在Royal Mile和 Hill Street上，所有的游客来来往往，看这些业余爱好者精彩的演出，真的很容易融入那种纯粹简单的节日快乐。
本以为tattoo就是一些军乐团表演，会比较无趣。但是看完之后我只能说，it rocks！西方人果然比较有幽默感，想想国内的军乐演出哪个不是正正经经的。这里独具幽默感的西方人们，总是在正经演奏一曲军乐之后就开始出新招。很难想象，有的跳天鹅湖，有的跳爵士，有的甚至直接把现场变成迪厅。最后，总是马上变回正经军乐退场，让人忍俊不禁。现场气氛也十分欢腾，可能我不太熟悉那些乐曲，在场的西方人却是听到乐点就可以开始大合唱，现场颇为壮观。
精彩的瞬间总是短暂，好像不知不觉间，就要结束了。光影投射在古老沉默的城堡上。所有的烽火都熄灭，只留一名士兵站在城堡之上，唱响一曲号角。接着是渺远的苏格兰风笛声，所有人都安静聆听。Edinburgh Castle传来古老浑厚的声音，好像用的是Gaelic，即将失传的苏格兰语言。在场的所有人，都像以前聆听国王王后的旨意一般虔诚而专注。最后的最后，所有人都被感动，被苏格兰感动。不再在乎它是不是过于自我地只强调自己。那一个的感觉就是，这是一个国家，任何人任何力量哪怕时间都不能改变。
经过这一场精彩绝伦的表演，好像对这个一直很喜欢，安安静静像住在童话里的城市有了新的体会。只有在这里才会有William Wallace的brave heart；只有这里才会有Harry Potter和Hogwarts；只有这里才会有早已成传统的夏季festival；只有这里，才配得上敢称queen or king of the Scots的气势。
This is Edinburgh；This is Scotland。
对外经济贸易大学
吴同学－2010/8/5
July 23,24,25,26【日志（九）2010年7月28日】
On Saturday morning, SAF China and Taiwan students arrived in Amsterdam separately. Although we were all going to Edinburgh by KLM, but because we were going to by different flights, the two groups were at two different boarding gates. I met with the China group briefly to introduce myself and had to say good bye immediately to board the plane for Edinburgh.
At the Edinburgh airport, the Taiwan group had to wait for the China group for two hours before been picked up by Rebecca from Edinburgh University by a chartered coach. We made use of the waiting time to get money changed and browsed tourist information. A short 15 minutes drive took us into Old Town of Edinburgh where the University of Edinburgh is located. We were dropped off on a street half a block away from the IALS building which is on a narrow cobble stone road the bus could not turn into. We pulled our luggage across cobble stone road, a sight which became quite familiar the next day as more students from around the world descend on this city of scholarly endeavor.
The host families lined up at the sidewalk waiting as we entered the building and seated in the center of of big open room on the second floor to be briefed by Maxine, the accommodation coordinator. This room was to be the gathering place for the next three weeks. We were given our bus passes and a schedule of the social activities for the next three weeks. The host families then came in to fetch their respective students. Since the day was still early (around noon?) and the most urgent need of these students is getting the local sim cards, we arranged to meet again in town at 7pm, after they get settled and had their first supper with the host family.
My flat was nearby, situated between the Edinburgh Festival Theater and the Old College of UE. Across the street to is the coffee shop where JK Rowling wrote the first few chapters of the Harry Potter series. I share a flat with another group leader from China who is here for a teacher training group from Beijing. The weather is comfortably chilly and the heat is on inside the flat, a bit of a shock for me.
As we met up with the students at the sidewalk at 7pm, student Ed from China and his host Mr. Bell came beaming and told me they had already played golf in the public course and invited others to come play for free. I sensed he was sincere and promised I would take him on his offer the next day, which was unplanned for.
After getting our sim cards, we walked around and ended up at the Waverly Train station. It is huge and has a beautiful glass dome skylight, I can see why JK Rowlings made the train station an important item in her books. The train station is underground and had a rather magical air.
On Sunday we walked to get bus passes for the China Group, listening to piping on the street and visiting the Scott Monument at the East Princes Street Gardens. Following music from the other end of the Garden, we arrived at the square in front of the National Gallery where a Spanish Tourism event was taking place, which meant sampling of cheese and wine and getting a free muslin tot. A huge (5 feet in diameter) paella was cooking on open pit in a tent. I thought, no wonder I smell popcorn all over the city, it must come from the fire wood (I was to find out the popcorn smell that perfumes the air of Edinburgh comes from something else, Can you guess?). The waiting line for the Paella feast was too discouraging so we went to restaurant featured on the tourist map, thinking it must be quite big. Wrong, it was a tiny restaurant in the middle of a steep slope run by a Kurdish man, we had to sit on the steps outside eating fish and chips. Edinburgh is built on 7 hills, the buildings are built on different levels of the hills. Stone staircases between very tall buildings connect different levels of the city.
We then walked to Mr. Bell's house and met his wife and visited his long and narrow city garden planted with vegetables and fruit trees. They are a professional hosting family. Photos of previous students who stayed with them are framed and hung on the wall. We then each took a golf club and a ball and went to the golf course and played golf under the blue sky until 9pm, with the reddish mountain known as Arthur Seat in the background. I am happy to tell you that there were no mosquitoes or any other biting bugs.
On Monday, the students arrived at the university to be tested, followed by a university arranged a city tour. The humorous Scottish guide not only gave a very interesting introduction to the history and facts about the city, more importantly, he gave me an invaluable piece of information, the Mosque next to the school has great food for good price. http://www.londonwired.co.uk/news.php/39119-Edinburgh-mosque-makes-restaurant-awards-shortlistI have to say the food was excellent and the servings were too generous. We should bring a plastic container to bring back left over food.
After lunch, all students for the session gathered for an orientation lecture, given by the academic director and the two social program directors, Laura Neilson and Andy Murrary. 500 students from 41 countries are here to attend this session. The teachers then came in to collect their students and took them to class. We picked up our social activity tickets on Tuesday and immediately started planning to fill all the empty days with even more activities. The days are long and cool and city is compact and easy to get around. There are lots of places to explore, but one really needs to understand the Scottish history and culture to fully appreciate this country. However, despite their amusing accent, there is no mistaking of Scottish hospitality and sense of humor. The bus that serves the city is known as Lothian Bus. There are many lines and runs frequently. There is a display that informs bus arrival times at the all bus stops. It is very convenient but a little complicated to understand. The key is, don’t try to understand the route, just figure out how to get to your desired destination in any number of ways. Edinburgh is a very compact city, you can almost walk anywhere, provide you wear comfortable shoes appropriate for the cobble stoned hilly streets. Scottish people are sincerely apologetic about the weather. I mean 15 C in July with the rain coming and going at will. But I really love the weather, I love walking around with a sweater. And the rain is just a drizzle and does not even get you wet! Coming back home to a slightly heated room is just really nice.
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| After the testing, UE organized a guided city tour. Mountain at the back is known as Arthur's Seat, an extinct volcano casting a magical presence on this city |
we were hoping to feast on this Paella, but gave up the idea after realising the linewas too long |
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| Taipei airport |
had fish and chips at a tiny restaurant yum ym run by a kurdish man we had to sit outside on the steps of one of many steep stairs that dottted the old town |
SAF台湾
甯老师－2010/7/28
The Last Day of July【日志（八）2010年7月30日】
At the last day of July we have visited quiet a lot places with the social activity team. There’s a large amount of social activities in IALS for the students there to choose. These things cream up your timetable and also keep you busy all the time. That makes you a lot of fun!
The first place is called Dollar Glen. Glen means valley in Gaelic, an ancient Scottish language. It’s an amazingly attractive valley, with cold fresh air and visually sumptuous scenery. The destination is on top of Dollar Glen named Castle Campbell. The way leading up to the top is rather dangerous, because there is completely nature without many man-made protections. It was also raining today! Unbearably weather here.
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Just like a scene in a trill film |
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After a 45-minute walk we managed to reach the goal.
A picture of 5 members in our team at the gate of Castle Campbell |
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Again, an originally spectacular architecture is being repaired. |
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Inner side of the castle
It’s totally empty here and each floor in this castle is exactly the same without furniture at that epoch, which greatly disappointed me. |
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Garden!
We explored an unexpected breath-taking place at another side of the castle. With vivid bright color, the garden is much more vibrant than the dark gloomy castle. |
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Lovely flowers on the wall |
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In front of me is a traditional Scottish dessert-Scone. The taste is full and pleasant, especially rich in flavor with better on it. |
Compared with Edinburgh, Sterling is fairly a town with moderate size. Due to the lack of time, I didn’t go to the renowned Sterling Castle. Also due to the ticket price! I’ve got a nice time in the shopping mall on King Street instead.
On my way back to home, I saw a stunning vista-the rainbow!
同济大学
陈同学－2010/7/30
Dan Brown【日志（七）2010年7月30日】
Do you know Dan Brown?
Have you ever read a book named Da Vinci Code?
If the answer is yes, you’ll simply be quite excited about the place we’ve gone today, the Rosslyn Chapel!
Unfortunately it was being renovated when we got there and photographing is forbidden inside.
It was a really small and unknown church before the book of Dan Brown. However now it is surprisingly famous worldwide. Everyday a vast amount of visitors from every side of the whole world come here in order to see her. Anyway it’s a must-see if you’re a huge fan of Dan Brown, but to me, it’s a little bit touristy now.
同济大学
陈同学－2010/7/30
Special Today【日志（六）2010年7月29日】
What’s special today?
We had a lecture about Scottish costume!
It was really an excellent lecture, pretty interesting.
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| Original cloth |
Finished! |
同济大学
陈同学－2010/7/29
Wednesday【日志（五）2010年7月28日】
Today is Wednesday! Therefore how to arrange the time is up to us.
We went to the Prince Street and had a nice time there.
In the evening we had a social program called beerienteering, which means having a good time in the local pubs. As we all know the pubs in Scotland are quite famous, so I can’t miss the chance to visit the pubs.
We gathered outside Hill place at 7:30 and were divided into eight different teams. Each team had a map, which showed the place of the pubs. Our task was to find them as quickly as we can and answer some of the questions. There were three pubs in the list. The first one was quite a new-style and fashion pub and there was also a table for people to play pool. Everyone had to buy a drink there, but I don’t want to drink alcohol at all, so I just ordered a cup of tea. By contrast, the second one was a traditional Scottish pub. Everybody was supposed to wait at the third pub. It was an extremely large pub and full of noise and confusion. In a word, I don’t like pubs.
 It was in a traditional Scotland costume shop.
It’s a picture of me and the shop assistant!
同济大学
陈同学－2010/7/28
I ❤ Blueberry【日志（四）2010年7月27日】
 There’s a supermarket near Hill place called Tesco. Food, fruit and drinks there’re really cheap. You can always see a red tag, just like the one on the photo, writing half price or buy one get one free.
同济大学
陈同学－2010/7/27
First day at School【日志（三）2010年7月26日】
Today’s the first day at school. We were asked to do a short test and an interview to decide the class-division. Most of us remained in general English level and some of the top students moved to the advanced English class. We’ve got 2 teachers in all, one for morning and the other one for afternoon. Fortunately Wednesday and Friday afternoon is free time, so we can do whatever we want, e.g. shopping!
Lovely little classroom
Everyday we learned plenty of new vocabularies, which is a huge challenge for me. We have a lot of games every day!
Two of my classmates, one of them come from Hong Kong and the other come from Taiwan. There’re 13 people in our class and most of them come from China (Taiwan, Hong Kong), Japan and Spain.
My lunch
The restaurant is very near to Appleton Tower and they served Turkish or Indian (I can’t remember exactly) food there.
I ordered chicken curry with rice and vegetable. Unfortunately the vegetable (The green ones on the photo) was just horrible.
同济大学
陈同学－2010/7/26
Quite a Long Time【日志（二）2010年7月25日】
| Today is Sunday. Last day is quite a long time for me, ‘cause the exact time is twice as much as one day. (Due to the jet-lag) |
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The Lothian Buses
Here is where we got our bus card. £48 for each card. With this card we can take any buses for free.
It’s really convenient to have a bus card in Edinburgh, because the bus ticket’s quite expensive here, £1.2 every time. |
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Here’s Hill Place, where we’ve got classes. |
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Because Sunday is free of lessons, we went alone the street to see the city center. |
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Prince Street in front of us. |
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A street artist’s playing bagpipes. |
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Previously I thought it was a church, but actually it’s a monument in honor of the novelist Scott. |
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Luckily we got there in time for the Spanish festival. |
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Lot’s of people gathered in the square nearby the National Gallery of Scotland. Chocolates, candies, and wines are all free for people to taste. |
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Those are my collections from the festival! |
| In the afternoon, we went to the old college of the University of Edinburgh. Then we wanted to take a bus to the prince street, but at last we missed the stop and arrived at sea by mistake! |
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| It’s the old college of the University of Edinburgh. However it was under construction for maintenance. |
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One of the many sea shores in north Edinburgh. |
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It’s really cold there, do bring thick coat with you! |
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Our dinner!
It’s Indian food. It was really expensive (about £7) but not as tasty as I thought. |
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The rice mushroom pilau.
The taste’s just plain.
We also had to pay the tips!
As far as the tips are concerned, I prefer the fast food… |
同济大学
陈同学－2010/7/25
Arrive in Edinburgh【日志（一）2010年7月24日】
 It was at about 8 in the evening, we were supposed to gather at the hall of the airport. One from Shanghai (me~), one form Beijing and five from Xiamen, that’s the composition of our group.
Sorry, I forget to take the photos in the plane. The flight was from KLM (royal Dutch airline) and the planes of this firma are all painted blue, very nice color exactly, like the color of sky.
What really made me confused was the food service in the plane. We got on the plane at 11:30 pm and had a meal at about 1:00 am. Then at about 2:30 in the midnight, we were waked up to have an added meal composed of instant noodle and an ice-cream! It’s just crazy! We had our breakfast at 4 or 5 in the morning.
This is a photo of the airport in Amsterdam. We had to transfer the flight at Holland. The jet-lag was 6 hours in Holland and 7 hours in Edinburgh! We had waited in the Schipol airport for 6 hours.
Splendid sunshine in Holland but we couldn’t get out, cause we don’t have a visa here!
This is my host-family. This photo was taken from my room at the 2nd floor. A nice community called South house Walk.
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| The door |
My bed
Very soft (smile) |
The window
I really love in the evening, when I lied on the bed, to lift my eyes to the sky and count the stars. |
TV and mirror |
同济大学
陈同学－2010/7/24
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