It has been nearly a week that I have been here on my own, almost two since I first began to call this country home for the next few months. Scotland is certainly beautiful in a whole new way than I am used to in Colorado. The hills are rolling and very lush, the architecture is full of history, and golf courses are abundant and begging to be played. As I settle in, I realize I have made the right choice.
But the change in landscape and climate have not been the biggest adjustments so far. The little things stick out and remind me that I am nearly halfway around the world from my place of comfort. Little things like lack of a garbage disposal in the kitchen sink, separate faucets for hot and cold on opposite sides of the sink, and a toilet that must be flushed with a fair amount of force in order for any success to be had.
All three of these "inconveniences" tie together in a story from my first night here. Anna and I arrived later on in the day and found the kitchen completely bare. Not knowing our way around yet we settled for dinner at the nearest place we could find. On our way back with our kebab take out we stopped at a market and got some things to eat the next morning. After finishing our meal, I realized I had no bowl for my cereal in the morning, so my kebab styrofoam box would have to do, but it needed to be cleaned first. As I went to rinse the box in the sink I discovered just as some of the red sauce and scraps fell into the sink that there was no garbage disposal. No big deal, though. I figured I would just scrape up those scraps and flush them along with the remains still in the box. After scraping out the box it looked disgusting in the toilet - as if someone had some major issues that involved blood and called for a hearty dose of Pepto. Again, though, no worries - just flush it down. Wrong! Five tries at what I felt was normal flushing strength and speed was fruitless, and there were the leftovers that looked far more appetizing when they were being eaten.
Not knowing if my flat was occupied by anyone outside of Anna and myself left me somewhat distraught at this pickle. I can think of better first impressions than someone thinking I did that in the toilet AND left it there. Thankfully, it was just us and the toilet flushed with more force applied in the morning.
But as I returned to my room after leaving that in the toilet I went to wash my hands out of the warm water spout. For the first half second it was pleasant before it became scalding hot. Unfortunately, the mountain stream faucet was on the other side of the sink and mixing was impossible. They're now affectionately referred to as "fire and ice". At that point, it was time to go to bed.
Yet it has been fascinating to observe people's ability to adapt to surroundings very quickly firsthand. I now remember which way to look as I cross the road before I begin to cross the road, I've gotten used to the cold water to wash my hands, and the toilet flushes every time within my first two tries. So while I am abroad, I'm sure I will learn plenty about a new culture and about being independent, but I think just as much I will learn to be content with the life I normally lead and to not take nearly as much for granted. I hope that my learning will only stop when my heart does too.
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