A Minnesotan That Misses Target (And Other Things)

Coming to Scotland, I knew things would be different. Obviously. I mean, they drive on the other side of the road here! And we already know my unease over the metric system. But after the past 10 days or so, I've really noticed a lot of little things that I either didn't think I'd miss, or that I didn't realize were differences. Let's dive in to the bizarre (to me) way Scotland does life. 

Where is My Target? 

Okay, okay. I knew Target was not in Europe. They couldn't even make it in Canada. But my goodness, SCOTLAND: you are missing out on convenience! Trying to purchase everyday items here has proven to be quite difficult. We needed a long lighter for our fireplace, and we still have yet to find one. You would think they would have them at little stores or grocery stores. That's a negative. Even trying to buy them on Amazon U.K. Is crazy. Bedding? Psshh. They have one store here called John Lewis that I would compare to a Macy's or Nordstrom. I don't need my bedding to cost over $100. Target easily satisfied my bedding needs for $35. Maybe I don't know the city well enough yet, but I'm not quite sure how people purchase anything. We've gone to so many stores and come out empty handed. Granted, with the university starting up, students bombarding all stores, ransacking the place until all that is left is a down feather from pillows that are long gone. 

All I'm saying is Target, get your act together and cross the pond. Please and thanks. 

Scotland Doesn't Know What it's Missing

You should see the looks I get when I ask where a grocery store's half and half is. They do not have it here. If they do, it's called something different. Honey Bunches of Oats? Try Kellogg's Crunchy Nut. It looks the exact same but tastes nothing like my beloved cereal. Margarita mix? Ha! I've been to a dozen liquor stores. Luckily we made our own (which I'll blog on later) and I think I'm the Margarita Queen. They have managed to have places like Dominos infiltrate the city, and even if I wanted this part of my diet, the prices are insane! There is no such thing as a large 2-topping pizza for $7.99. Try $20. 

Scotland, you are beautiful, but confusing to me 

Needless to say, as I continue my life here, I'll find more and more differences. They aren't all bad. I have to learn to live in a place that has haggis (a "delicacy" in Scotland that consists of sheep's heart, liver, lungs and stomach. I'm dying as I write this) everywhere, but no sour cream and onion chips. Such is the life of a Minnesotan trotting around the globe. 

Boot Sales 

We were left a wonderful binder full of information about the apartment, the surrounding area and some of the previous tenants' favorite places to eat. And within these notes was some information about a boot sale on Sundays. This was especially important to me for a few reasons. Sure, I have my winter boots and my rain boots and tennis shoes, but I also brought flats that you can't walk more than a mile in and flip flops that I plan to never where. I was not prepared for the temperatures and the rain. Stylish boots seems to be the trend here, and I'm all on board with that. 

We had missed the sale the first Sunday, so we made a point to attend this past Sunday. What kind of boots would they have? How does it work? Is it retailers or people selling their boots? The notes told us to head to Omni Park, the parking garage for a theater/restaurant. I didn't think anything of it, but Justin felt a little uneasy. Why is it in a garage? Who knows! But this was going to be great. 

When we stepped off the elevator and onto the 4th level of the garage, I blinked twice to make sure what I was seeing was real. When they say "boot sale" here, they do not mean boots. What they mean is that people take their trash or junk and sell it out of the trunk (boot) of their car. No. No no no. I dislike garage sales for a myriad of reasons, but this took the cake. Car after car had baby clothes, old dolls, shoes that were over worn and games that were probably missing a piece or two, displayed somewhat organized on tables behind their car. There was even a sign that said "Turn your trash into cash." I'm good Scotland, I'm good. 

I don't think my packages will fit

Lorries, Takeaways and a Numpty 

Before Scotland, I couldn't even tell you what a numpty was. Or why there was a sign near our flat that says "Caution: Lorries Turning." While my list isn't extensive, I'll let you in on some words I've picked up on since being here: 

Flat: Basically an apartment. Maybe there is a difference, but I'm not aware of that yet. 

Lorries: This one was interesting to me. Apparently lorries are delivery trucks, or trucks that are hauling goods. What's wrong with the word truck? Ha. 

Numpty: I saw this word on a Snicker's bar in the grocery store. It's part of their new campaign where each bar has a word like "sleepy" "angry" etc. And apparently numpty was one of them. From what I could gather via Google, a numpty is someone who is stupid. 

Lift: Their word for elevator. This one I'm okay with. 

Takeaway: Instead of to-go. I also enjoy this one. 

Wee: They use this in place of little or short. "We're going to watch this wee video." Justin is in love with it. 

What kind of weird voodoo magic happened to this tree??

Bagpipes. Bagpipes Everywhere. 

I don't hear bagpipes from my flat, but the second you get into more of the city center, you can hear it everywhere. I swear they are pumping it through the sewer systems. It's like they want to make sure we know where we are and that bagpipes are a big deal. The first day I caught myself smiling. Bagpipes! Can't say I've heard that too often. On day 11, I'm wondering if the locals drown it out or loathe the sound. Scotland, I feel like you're trying too hard. Just saying. 

So that's it for now! I'm sure I'll come across a million other little things and there will be a second blog of this nature. Anyway, I hope you all in the States are enjoying your cheap dominos and drinking all the half and half you want. 

Always,
A