Courses back in full force

Chinese New Year's Celebration

Gothic Rocket Ship :: Sir Walter Scott Monument on Princes St.

2012 is off to a fast start. The Edinburgh Student Council had a vigorous meeting, several student competitions are beginning including the "Edinburgh Apprentice", and countless meetings and other activities promise to keep things interesting this Semester. January was much calmer than December with clear and cold blue-skied days.

2012 in Edinburgh

Coffee Stand in St. George's Square: Large Double Cappicino is  2 pounds 70

Spitfire on static display at EDI (Edinburgh Airport)

EDI Tower

Sleet and freezing rain greeted me on my return to Edinburgh in early January, after a hard transfer through Heathrow. I barely made my connecting flight through Heathrow despite having a full 2 hour layover! The reason was the woefully inefficient passenger security procedures. Every stage had problems.  It took about 45 mins. to clear a malfunctioning passport check line.  It took a full hour to scan my carry-on luggage. I  had to change terminals which took about 30 minutes, and was like being in a pin-ball machine as the bus careened to-and-fro. When I arrived in Edinburgh, I quickly hopped in a cab, and sped off to my apartment.

Now back at school, I am readjusting to student life in a medieval city.  The wind rips through the narrow streets, often at 50mph gusts which acts as a extra power boost in some cases, and a sudden impediment to forward progress in others. All of this dramatic weather makes calm, sunny days like today all the more valuable.