I've been in Edinburgh now for a little less than two weeks and I'm staying at the Best Western Bruntsfield. During the day I'm working just outside town and in the evenings I'm mostly sticking to myself at my hotel room. Not because I'm anti social but because it's a bit cold here in February. As much as a reason it's also an excuse. On Saturday I did make it out for a walk around town. It rained a bit and the wind was cold but the people I've met here have made up for the cold with their warmth.
In 10 days I've encountered only one person that hasn't been delightful. I'm not saying that one person was rude or anything just not delightful. That's how ridiculously nice everyone in Edinburgh has been. It makes me believe that I have made a great decision with the new job I have taken. But this isn't about me. I just want to take a moment to express how much I appreciate how I've been treated since arriving here.
I've traveled many places both domestic and international. It's usually the same thing where I arrive in town and either rent a car or take a taxi or public transportation to the hotel. So when my company had me picked up at the airport I was already surprised. And the taxi driver was the one person not pleasant. Not unpleasant just not delightful and there's nothing wrong with that. I think we started off on the wrong foot. My flight was late and I had to go through customs. When I received his call me asked me to meet him in a specific location. When he walked up behind me I realized I wasn't where he wanted me to be. So I'll take the responsibility for his frustration. Anyways, he dropped me off at the office and in his defense he at least has remembered my name in the additional times he's given me a ride.
I walk into the office and the first person I'm greeted by is the same person that planned my travel itinerary. Heather is such a pleasant woman and has made me feel so welcome. I had been traveling for 17 hours since Sunday at 7am and since Edinburgh is eight hours ahead of California it was now Monday at 8am. I am given an access card to get through the door and offered refreshments and fruit. By 1pm my eyes are burning and I'm getting tired. At about that time Heather comes through the door and tells us the taxi is on its way and they're going to let us go back to the hotel and get some rest. Once back at the hotel we find the rooms already paid for with no issues. I head to my room and pass out. I wake up around 5pm and try to stay awake so that I'm not waking up in the middle of the night. But I give in and sleep more. But now here I am after a couple of weeks and I'm getting used to the time change. I've also felt taken care of by everyone I've encountered.
What I've noticed about the people here in Edinburgh is that everyone seems so genuine and delightful. Not just Edinburgh either. I've met some guys from Glasgow and they were also super nice. Yesterday I was golfing at St. Andrews and this really good guy Greg that I went there with were golfing with this gentleman and his girlfriend. St one point he offered me a drink from his Evian bottle. I declined but almost said yes because I was so thirsty. I said no because I felt dumb for not bringing water and felt I needed to endure the rest of the round on the Strathtryum course without it.
From each of the taxi drivers to all of my coworkers and even the hotel staff everyone has been remarkably courteous, engaging, and genuinely interested in me as an individual. Three of my favorite people have been Julie, Fiona, and Stephanie. Each of them is very different but uniquely special. From the way Fiona talks to me like family to how Strong mentally Stephanie is. She's such an interesting person to talk to but also doesn't take any crap. She also gives an honest opinion which I appreciate. Fiona's story is fascinating and I've always enjoyed people who are comfortable in their skin. On top of being Vietnamese and coming here with her family on a boat as a small child while her sister ended up on a boat to America. She's also openly gay and when we went out to eat with group of coworkers at Bar Soba we embraced in a hug and I already feel like I've known her for years. Julie is like that loving sister that looks out for me and ensures I'm being taken care of. I went to dinner at the BlackBird with Fiona and Julie and I really appreciate them taking time from their evenings to hang out with me. Along with Greg who is actually not from here they're part of the reason why I have grown to respect the hell out of this place. Greg is a 22 year old guy who was born in Wales and raised in South Africa near Zambia. We golfed together yesterday and he picked me up at my hotel and drove us to St. Andrews. We had a great time and even enjoyed a snack and some cappuccino afterwards.
Last year Edinburgh voted no to separating from the EU but after speaking with many of the citizens its apparent a large amount would prefer to separate. It's for good reason. As part of the EU England effectively decides their issues from afar. While they still would like to be a part of free trade agreements they want the opportunity to decide their own social issues. With a large amount of immigration going on because of fleeing refugees from numerous nations they want to decide how Scotland handles such a situations. It's common knowledge that some come here and immediately start receiving government benefits and beg in the streets. With a heavily socialized economy it affects the country heavily. From what I've witnessed here so many people are hard working class people. They don't seem to mind helping people but the success of a country is not always guaranteed. With public health services and government programs that help people purchase homes and avoid homelessness economic prudence is I'm sure very important.
Being here has given me an eye opening experience of how effective government assistance can be. It is common here for single people to own homes in their 20s. That's not the case in the United States. Don't get me wrong, I'm an American through and through and I love my country but it's not easy to thrive in the US, especially California. We have our own issues with immigration. But the major difference is that here in Scotland they take care of their citizens. In America I don't feel I can say that. I'm 39 years old and have never owned a home. Part of that is my own fault but I've worked for over 20 years and last year I paid over 28 thousand dollars in taxes. I also paid another 10 thousand dollars in medical insurance. While there is no guarantee that Social Security will be available to me when Im eligible sometime around when I'm 67 I also get nickle and dimed with health insurance. I pay over 800 dollars a month in insurance and then the rare times I actually need to use it I have to pay a co-pay and an out of pocket fee for other parts of the service. In Scotland their is a basic healthcare that they receive. Although they pay higher taxes because of it I'm paying as well with approximately 10 percent of my pay. So after paying about 40 percent of my pay to the aforementioned items I can't afford to save a 20 percent down payment on the overpriced homes. The time I almost bought I was being outbid by Chinese investors paying cash for homes in California from China. I personally don't believe the US gives a damn about me as an individual. All they care about is my money and that I shut up and get my ass to work. People might say the US is not socialist but anyone can come over our borders and receive welfare, food stamps, and low income housing while I make just a little bit more because I have to help pay for those programs. To me that's Socialism. In Scotland it seems to me that there are mechanisms in place to take care of their citizens and in return people here are proud of their country. Not only do they say their happy but their attitudes reflect it. In America many people are cold and angry. They feel the hardships of Capitalism and greed. Living for a Government that lacks civil servants and instead filled with corrupt greedy politicians concerned with their own financial well being. It's turned into a country run by elitists but still trying to tell us it's the people foe the people.
Overall my experience here in Scotland has been a pleasant one. I know tomorrow I can go enjoy a pleasant environment for breakfast here at the Bruntsfield Best Western. I'll be served with genuine kindness while I enjoy my omelet, Haggis, and black pudding. Along with my pot of coffee freshly brewed for me I will hear the families and individuals discuss football and politics in their endearing and varying Scottish accents. I will be greeted with compassion and sent off with a Cheers. I will try my best to respect their culture and country. And I will head back home leaving a place that I have grown to not only respect but love as a destination. Although it has averaged under 40 degrees Fahrenheit here in Edinburgh I have never felt the cold. Instead I feel warmed by a community that truly does care about one another. You can see it in every single one of its citizens. And it's restored my faith that genuine and loving people still do exist in this largely cold and Capitalistic world.
