The British are coming, and they can take their medieval art with them

 So last night we decided to watch a movie as a Pomona group, but our plans quickly changed when a big group of British students showed up in the common room with us. It was a pleasant surprise, though; things got interesting as we tried to imitate each others' accents, got yelled at by security twice, and ended up staying up way too late talking. We are all EXHAUSTED today. But it was definitely worth it.

We had a discussion with Tom about the differences between the UK higher education system and the American one. Their entire system is so much more standardized than ours; I think it helps that they are operating on such a smaller scale than we are. Still, they have some of the same problems: grade inflation, dangerous competition, and rising fees. It'll be interesting to be plopped down in the middle of it with my outsider's perspective.

After class, Jessie and I walked around the Meadows, which reminded me of Central Park. It was a beautiful day, and this was our view.

We went to New Town today, the part of the city that was organized very efficiently in order to avoid the unsanitary conditions that resulted because Old Town was such a mess. The buildings are so old! Like 1600s, or 1400s, or 1700s. Or something really old. But people still live there, with their tiny gardens, wooden shutters, and red-painted doors. What a quaint little life.

Little cars and old buildings

Now some stuffy lawyer lives here. But still, pretty cool.

Johnny and Alex LOVE Edinburgh!!! (They also look like mega-tourists.)

Super sleepy. But trying hard to pay attention to Tom's wisdom!

A park in New Town

Overlooking Waverly Station

We stopped by the National Gallery on the way back. I loved the portraits, but still cannot see the beauty in the medieval stuff. So dark and eerie! And all the babies look like Benjamin Button.

We checked out a private high school and fell in love with their cute uniforms. They look so British, it's unbelievable! Their campus is beautiful. Then we stopped to try on some kilts on the way home, but we decided to wait to buy them later until we've checked out all the options. Every third store sells them, so it cannot be a rash decision!

View from their campus- Firth of Forth in the background

Inside the school

After a bit of shopping- Johnny and Chris are chaps

We were all pretty pooped, so dinner consisted of a half-delusion game of "Would you rather", like choosing between being pig slop or human garbage, or being blind or marrying a blind person. (Those are actually two very good questions to have the answers ready to! You never know who will ask...)