Wednesday, August 25, 2010

We're Heeerreeeee

We left for Dulles International Airport around 1:45 pm on Sunday afternoon so that we could be on time for our 5:20 pm flight to Newark, NJ to grab our connecting flight straight to Edinburgh at 8:00 pm. Mom had checked the flight status before we left but, of course, the moment we got to the airport ticket counter to check in to our Continental flight, we were told it'd been cancelled. They then put us on the 7:20 pm flight to Newark and the 10:00 pm flight to Edinburgh. We went through security, had a lunch/dinner, and waited for the flight. Around 5ish we saw a sign that said the 7:20 flight was delayed but I wasn't sure whether it was delayed from a while ago and the new time was 7:20 or if it was now delayed later than 7:20. So we went and stood in line at the counter and the lady was like, "You need to get on this flight that's leaving right now." Apparently there was a much earlier flight to Newark that had been delayed forever and was finally leaving at 5:45 and there were three seats left. She gave them to us and we got on one of those super tiny planes where you have to walk along the runway and up stairs to get on it. We were worried our luggage wouldn't get transferred in time but I saw it being put on as we walked up. Such a relief!

Pretty much it was the worst flight ever. There was horrible turbulence and because the plane was so small (it had little propellers on the sides and fit like 20 people) it was being thrown all around like a rollercoaster ride. I was so scared! But I was sitting next to a flight attendant who was getting a free ride and across from our flight attendant and they talked the whole time and weren't worried so I think that calmed me a bit. But no wonder so many flights were cancelled! The weather in Newark was really bad and we had to keep circling around before landing, making it even worse because it just kept stretching it out. We thankfully landed in Newark safe and sound around 7:45 (really the flight should have taken an hour) and began to wait for our flight to Edinburgh. We talked to some really lovely, kind people while our flight was delayed again and again. We ended up taking off around midnight and got into Edinburgh around noon (with our original flight we would have gotten there at 7:45am). I was so proud of myself - I slept nearly the whole way! I've never been able to do that before! I guess 12 hours of pretty much just delays is enough to pass anyone out.

All our luggage got through in one piece and it was easy to get through immigration. We took a taxi to a flat in New Town where the manager of the flat we were renting lived. She ended up just hopping in the taxi with us and we drove to our flat in Tollcross. Aaand of course, she forgot her set of keys so we had to wait for someone else to come over and let us in. It's very well decorated and very modern! It's in a very nice, central area but on a side street so it's not too noisy. There is a little nursery school right across the street and it's so cute to watch the little children ride around on little cycles wearing bright yellow reflective vests on a track. And there's also a club called ignite and lava nearby. I imagine they are naughty places as there are outlines of women's bodies on the back of the building...I find it very interesting that it's randomly there next to a nursery and primary school!

Mom and I knew we had to stay up so we headed up to the main Princes Street and found the Virgin Mobile store to see if I could set up my mobile phone but I need a UK address before I can set one up. So, my next post will be all about my search for a flat, coming tomorrow! In the meantime, I brought my phone from Ireland so I think I'll just get pay as you go for that for emergencies (although my charger is dead - killed by Zeus NOMs) so I might have to just buy one.

Edinburgh seems really lovely! It's already poured on us, of course, and drizzled quite a few times. It's going to be really hard to get used to but it really doesn't diminish the loveliness of the city. The architecture is so amazing! This city has so much culture and history. I think the US has more natural beauty but Scotland has lovely aspects. I can't wait to explore!

Until we meet again!

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