highlandersrant-blog

[highlandersrant-blog]

Scotland? - Fook me we did it!

OK, so it’s been a month….an amazing, crazy, mind blowing, awe-inspiring, really shit scary month since we took that “one small step for man, one big step for the Jacobs clan” onto Scottish soil.

It’s actually been 9 months since we first had the crazy thought, on a Sunday afternoon, over a couple of glasses of wine and an ever-challenging scrabble board – to emigrate. That in itself is a story for another day.

Hats off to us, we did it.  This was officially the first time in my 40 years of life that I have EVER, I repeat, EVER boarded an airplane.  I honestly cannot say that I will be a frequent flyer.  The drunk guy to the left and the terrible toddler to the right on our second flight might have put me off, just slightly, for any adventures in the near future.  Now that we are here, I can honestly say (in the most clichéd way ever) it was all worth it.

I absolutely, totally and completely….love this country.  Scotland is freaking amazing!

On that note though, there are a few things that I could warn my fellow Saffers (Nickname for South Africans who immigrate, just in case some of you didn’t know) about. Brace yourselves, it’s scary out there…

1.       It is beautiful.  No, I mean it is really, really beautiful.  All those photos you have been seeing on the Facebook pages you have been following (for me it was Edinburgh Spotlight and Iconic Tours – you guys rock) are not a touch on the absolute beauty this country holds.

2.       ATM’s – this country does not believe in cash on hand. It is pretty amazing, but should you need cash, stop being so bloody lazy and go to a bank!  SA has ATM’s on every street corner, but in Scotland you need to plan your route to get cash at the bank whenever you happened to be in the area.  Apparently (or so I hear from the lovely ladies who I currently find myself sharing an office with) you can ask the cashier at any of the major retail outlets for a cashback on your purchase.  They will then include the amount of cash you want to withdraw to your purchase and hand it over.  If only I had known that in the first 4 weeks were here!!!

3.       On our arrival in our beautiful new home, Kirkcaldy, I needed to catch a cab (taxi) from the train station to the flat. That’s where I had the amazing pleasure of meeting Bob, the cab driver.  Bob was my first actual introduction to the Scottish culture.  I will always remember him and his beautiful description of the folk he loves so much.  “Luv, no matter what….just warn the young ones to not take everything we say to heart. A Scotsman has a way with words, and we don’t hide any!”  Well “Fook me” he wasn’t joking.  The Scots are the most honest and open people I have ever met.  If you peeve him – he will tell you so. If they enjoy your company, expect pretty much the same expletive – just with a totally different meaning.

4.       I can still hear it…….   “It’s so cold there.”  “You are crazy to move to such a cold place.”  “The weather will kill you.”  Well thanks to you bunch of nay sayers I didn’t pack a single piece of summer clothing. I will have you know that the only place it is cold – is outside.  The percentage of time you spend there on a normal day (work and all included) – 2%. Inside the buildings, it is more than toasty.  We have turned the radiators down to a minimum in our house and I still sleep in a pair of hubby’s boxers and a t-shirt.  It sure as hell isn’t cold.  A simple good quality jacket and a lovely home knitted scarf is all you need for the days spent outside.  I know winter is still coming, but I’ve survived a week of snow and I’m still here to tell the tale.

5.       These people drive like me – slowly!  I love driving to work and imagining all you wonderful folk back home who would be swearing in a number of your 11 official languages at the lovely chaps (people) on our roads.  The top speed limit in my area (and that is on the highway) is 80km/h. Yes, you read that right!  The most amazing thing is that we all drive that speed and NOBODY (except maybe the one in a million idiot) pushes the limits here. You get into the wrong lane and cut off a round-a-bout (circle back in sunny SA), well don’t you worry lassie…the traffic will all slow down and give you a gap to get back into your lane.  I mean, what the hell?!

6.       The meat.  Well, honestly, when it comes to SA nobody and I mean NOBODY can compare to the meat.  We might not have your T-bone steaks, boerewors or “oepsies”, but the one thing I can say about Scottish meat – it is thick!  OK, I know that sounds strange, but when I put a chicken in the oven, it comes out the same size (no shrinkage).  When I cook a pre-made chicken hamburger pattie, it is exactly the same size before and after.  Their meat does not shrink.  It is wholesome and has precisely 0% fat.  Yes, I know a lot of you are thinking that’s not a good thing.  But hey, look in the mirror tomorrow and honestly say you wouldn’t want some 100% fat free good tasting meat on your plate for dinner.  (OK, shut up – your meat is good, but I need to convince myself that the healthy way is the best way)

7.       The schools are (excuse my enthusiasm here) astronomically, amazingly, awesomely fantastic!  The primary school does not focus on actual subjects. They believe in developing a child’s social skills and creativity before they hit the big bad world of high school. I will admit that they go to high school much sooner (at the age of 12), but once there – there is no stopping them. The high school has not only had two interviews with my eldest child before placing her, but they have assessed her personality and skills, chosen her year according to where they feel she will fit in academically, chosen a classmate to be her mentor based on her personality and last but not least, they are adjusting their “assessments” (exams) to suit my child who has just immigrated from South Africa.  She will not be writing (or rated on) the comprehension exam as she has not read the books and her understanding of the Scottish poetry will be challenging.  I mean, really, what school does that?!

8.       My post box (slot in the door). This has probably been the most exciting part of moving to Scotland.  Every day when we get home there is a new parcel or letter waiting for us in the passage.  Their postal system REALLY works.  I cannot believe how much they rely on the postal service to communicate.  The girls are so excited when we get home – it’s apparently like getting a Christmas present every day to them.

9.       Oh lest me not forget…..heated towel rails and double glazing.  These are two of my favourite things.  There is not much more to say here, except that “These are a few of my favorite things”

 I could carry on for hours, but overall this country rocks!  There is soooooo much legislation involved in getting here and working here, but in the end, I understand it completely. Everything works!