350 years of age. She's an oldie. Oddly enough, it's one that is small in comparison to the hundreds of castles that the Duke of Buccleuch (owner) has. This 'palace,' as it's known here, is very hard to explain, but we'll try throughout the next few blogs or so.
First off, we are in the City of Dalkeith, not Edinburgh, like Nate thought. Dalkeith would be considered like a suburb of Edinburgh, only about 10 minutes Southeast.
Anyways, back to the juicy goodness of the trip so far... Nate and Jordan got lucky and were able to live together in a huge room with four other guys. Guerty got a solid pad, living on the second floor with two other gentlemen.
UW-Superior students take up a large portion of the population here, and Nate and Jordan live with two of them in room 103. They're a solid group of boys. They are on the same level as them; they are ready to rage, live it up, and experience it all. Over the last few days, room 103 has seemed to be the hot spot of gathering, whether it be before class, after eating, or before we head out to the pubs.
Nate, coming from the Northwoods of Wisconsin, had a NHS former graduated join him Friday morning. His name, Tim O'Halloran, a student of UW-EC. Nate's excited to be have him here and is looking forward having the young-blood join him in the pubs and various adventures around Europe. Nate also met two people who are originally from Proctor (where he lived for the first year of his life), a girl in his high school conference from Hayward, and a girl from Cloquet that knows his cousin Kelsey- small world.
Jordan, a native to Maple Grove, is roommates with two old high school rivals; Aaron Bresser, Brian Chapman. He is also acquainted with Nate Engel, all of whom are students at UW-Superior. Also from back in Junior High, he knows Chelsea Hyser, who is Stephanie Hyser's cousin, a fellow student of theirs at UWRF.
Matt, a beloved citizen of Mounds View, a long time soccer player back in his hay day as a young buck, takes a different approach to making connections with his new fellow students by talking to the UW-Superior men's soccer players about 'football.' Also, with his glowing personality and stellar looks that he received from Rich and Sheryl, he is able to win people over and become friends easy. A task the other two find a bit difficult..
So Thursday, the actual check-in day, was the first legit full day here in Dalkeith. We got up at about 9:30 and went out for our first run on the grounds of the castle. Interesting enough, the sun was still low which made it an amazing atmosphere to run in. People were already out walking their dogs and walking around the many open fields and were quick to give a good morning. As we began to run, we saw arrows that we assumed would lead us around for our run... key word 'assumed.' What we hoped was going to be a short mile or two jog on flat ground around the castle, turned to a hilly adventure through the woods. After about two miles we were lost. We were in unfamiliar territory, deep in the woods, and could find nothing that looked right. As we trekked through skinny trails, over old bridges, and up slopes that most olympians would probably train on, we finally found the beginning of the trail where we started... which was four miles later. This was sort of a surreal moment for all of us. We peaked over what seemed to be a couple hundred year old bridge and into the rising sun reminding us of a day of work back at the good ole RFGC course back home. We took in the moment and this was the point that really hit us.. We are here. Scotland. Its happening.
After we made it back and went down to the basement workout room. This is one of the nicest workout facilities we've ever seen. Not. It's small, no ventilation, and has minimal equipment. We'll make it work though. Guert, a very talented weight trained individual made a 30 second blast rep out that put us all on our knees. Jordan was able to think creatively and put together another solid workout. Nate, with no question, thought of a very edgey cardio routine that dropped all to the floor. Perfect. Shortly after finishing our workout, orientation begun. All 66 students gathered outside the front of the palace and we did a variety of team building activities. Some were all for the games because it was the first time we were all interacting, though some just wanted to get inside and wrap up in a blanket- dumb.
After dinner, 20+ people gathered in room 103 and 'prepared' for the night. Once all the cans were crushed and bottles were thrown away, we ventured out to the pubs. First stop- Maysons. This pub as a long reputation for hosting Wisconsin in Scotland (WIS) students for a 'jolly good time.' While there, we met up with two 'lads' named Liam and Alex. These two gave us more than enough information about the ins and outs, and the crucial dos and donts of Scotland. We also shared common stereotypes and made many jokes of both societies. Not to mention, we all tried to mock each others accent- it was hilarious to say the least. Brian was called Paul Walker and many others were referenced as top celebrities. After a long night of pints and laughs, we went up the block to top off our stomachs with some fish and chips. Glorious meal. Fresh fries topped with a large piece of freshly deep grilled piece of cod, covered with a traditional brown sauce. We have no idea what exactly makes up the brown sauce, or even what to compare it to, but it sure tastes amazing.
Friday was a long day. Water was downed like it was going out of style as heads bobbed constantly as all the house rules were going over. Ironically, the main portion of all the rules were based off off drinking. After a small bag lunch, only filling a quarter of our empty stomachs, we had more orientation to complete. More drinking policies and eating policies were gone over and over and over... but that didn't stop Nate who, after two hours of hearing that only designated areas of the palace you are able to eat in, tears into a Fun Dip right in front of the Director. After a moment or two, he realized what he had done, saw that he was being glared at, and yelled out a loud 'oh my god!' Needless to say, and by the policy of eating goes, he was now going to have to clean the unauthorized room he was just in. After a traditional Scottish Pie dinner, the whole group went out in the court yard, did some games, and then traveled a few hundred yards to the wooden fortress. This place was amazing. Covering a 50 square yard area, there was a large slide, bridges that could take you anywhere, hiding spots, and other nooks and crannies. The old man-made tunnels went through a 40ft length under a hill. With only girls to go through first, the three of us didn't realize the height of the stone above. Pitch black and stumbling you could take it out of a scene from the three stooges. We all three hit our foreheads on the not so soft stone ceiling. Shouting and hollering followed, with 15 girls staring at our star appearance coming out of the tunnel. A first appearance that really accented our personality's.
Later that night, we all hung out in the basement where there is a ping pong table, 'pool' table (much different here than back in the states), and a movie room. Day two was now in the books and fines were already given out. Just great.
Saturday was an awesome day. We woke up for breakfast, did a small orientation, then headed into Edinburgh as a group. We were lead by one of the staff members here in the castle. We roamed about the Castle of Edinburgh. The place was unreal. Build literally hundreds of years ago (before the US even in the books), we were able to see it all. We did that for a few hours, then rocked on home. There we started to prepare for the night. Come 10 PM, we headed to the Maysons. Come bar close, we had to tip toe back to 103. Little did we know that our door was locked. Jim Bone was the only soul snoozin in the room. He was not waking up from our obnoxious knocks and screams from the hall. We were forced to chill in our neighbors room for about 45 minutes. Being in the girls room, ones that were out cold since 8 PM, just dumb, we were able to wake them and entertain them for a bit. So come 45 minutes later, we went back to 103, hammered on the door, and Jim Bone came. Little did he know we were on a whole 'nother level... and what else to do.. but to party boy him. All six of us. Yep, it was hilarious. Jordan and Nate tackled him and the others followed. As they all flew onto Jimmy's bed, Jordan and Nate flew off his bed and the other went on like nothing happened. Classic.
Sunday was just unreal. Ugh. We were all parched and wanted to sleep. But that wasn't possible. Today we were to participate in the WIS Amazing Race. The objective was to locate, describe, take pictures, and answer questions from the four page packet we all received. They ranged from old time historical areas to new local hot spots of Edinburgh. The bus ride was brutal. Thomas Schuldeiz, a native to Andover Minnesota, going to UWS, was on the bus with the boys. He was a tad under the weather and ready to opt out from the activity. Thankfully, the bus ride wasn't too long, so he did alright. As all the groups started the race, most didn't actually participate. Whether it was because they were too 'tired' or because they just didn't want to keep going, most opted out. A few hours later, 3/4 of the 66 students made it back to the palace where they took a much needed nap. Jordan and Nate were out cold. Not moving and half alive, they slept till 8 PM. Guerty was a trooper and didn't sleep that long. But why? Well that night, there was a few Scottish people that came to teach the group a traditional dance. Needless to say, few went and the director was far from happy. But what did they actually expect, many were drained and needed sleep. What can you do?
Monday came and it was the first day of classes. Yay. Not much to say here. It is what it is. Classes are for an hour a forty minutes each. Two classes that the program has is Scotland ones. These are a globalization class and a culture/society one. Both on Monday. Nate is the lucky one that gets to do them both. After 9 hours of class, he's ready for a pint.. or two.
So far so good. This place is madness. People going out every night, people playing games and wondering around. The people of Dalkeith are taking most of us in with open arms. Few assume that we are all rich snobs from New York, but little do they know we are urbanized people that go to D3 schools.
From Nate: Hi Mom and Dad, I sure miss you two. I love you 'like crazy' like grama Vadnais says. Give a hug to Gus and kiss my baby girl like crazy up there in the sticks of WI. Be well back home, we'll skype soon. Brothers, keep on keepin on out west. I'll see you in May. Get my bed ready out there.
From Matt: Mum and Pops, much love. This is known. This is something I have yet to forget about.. Cheer for the pack hard and if they lose you will have a sad son over across the pond. I'm headed to Barcelona in a week. Wish me luck. Spanish is a bit rusty but I'll be good. Have a time on your upcoming cruise. I am a bit jealous...well, guess I cannot be that envious myself.
From Jordan: Hello family, I miss all of you and hope you are all flowing this as much as possible. I hope everything is going well and everyone is being good. TO all my siblings, Tyler, Brandon, Alyssa and Tucker… stay out of trouble and keep doing good in school so one day you can hopefully do what I am doing now. Until next time I love all of you
We finally got to the port and made our way on the Cruise ship. The guys quickly realized that it was a 6-1, girl-guy ratio. Can a man ask for more? They explored around the ship, more many it was their first time on one and wanted to take it all in. As the hours passed they played various card games to pass the time. Because this was going to be an overnight trip to Corfu, when the sun set, they prepped for the night. Did I mention they had a dance club on the ship? You bet they did. Needless to say they met a lot of the girls that seemed civil enough to hang out with during the trip (some proved else-wise... girls I tell ya). As the sun began to raise that following morning, the crew made their way to their homemade hobo beds (clothes and jackets on the floor) and was surprisingly awaken at 8 AM p call and... HELLO CORFU! Let the party begin! 
Later in the night the lights dimmed and the dance floor was cleared to make room for the greek dancers. Pink togas circled these 2 men who filled the stage with stunts which included a man who picked up a full table that held glass bottles stacked like a pyramid while clay plates were broken over his head. Soon after the dance, the whole crew of workers came out with a 10 gallon bucket filled with Ouzo (a traditional greek drink). It was passed out to everyone while greek music blasted which instigated everyone to migrate back to the dance floor to mimic the dancers. They stood over us and started breaking the clay plates over our heads (actually didn't hurt at all) one by one till the floor filled up with broken clay. It's safe to say this night highlighted the trip thus far.
