bus rides, my favorite pub thus far, and some strange things

I have been here for 5 days now, and learning my way around the city pretty quickly. Well at least from Princes St south. I am beginning to learn the bus routes and the shortest ways to get from my flat to my friends, and of course the pubs. Yesterday I rode on a double decker bus. This is really different from riding buses in the states. We sat at the front and the vantage point is great, however, it always feels like you are going to run over the car in front of you and hit multiple buildings while turning. I went the ASDA (super Wal-mart) pronounced as a word not an acronym, if you say A-S-D-A they will look at you like your crazy. Things are realitively cheap and cost surprisingly less than I had expected. I also had to get a new phone (it was only £4.85!).

Last night I went out with David and Amber. We met up with some other international students at a pub called the Golf Tavern. From there we took them to several of the pubs that we have been going to. One place called Nicol Edwards is this little basement pub with a great atmosphere and has live acoustic music every night. I got carded here. The guy playing is called Acoustic David, and he plays there 3 nights a week. He was really good, played a lot of really popular songs. I'm hoping to become a bit of a regular here.

Some strange things about Scotland: There is a switch on the electrical outlet that if you don't flip it wont work. This even includes the plugs for things like ovens. You have to turn showers on with a button or cord, you can't just turn nobs. Sinks have 2 heads, one for hot and one for cold. All the doors in flats are fire doors. They close automatically behind you and you aren't supposed to prop them open. So my flat has 1 hallway with about 8 doors. 1 for each bedroom, 2 bathrooms, and the kitchen/living room. This leaves you feeling isolated and/or like you are seriously disturbing someone whenever you have to knock on their door. Police cars are neon blue and yellow. They say cheers instead of thanks. The mustard is seriously spicy.