The Journey to the Halls of Residence

Buchanan Hostel

The journey from the airport to the halls in Newington was a short one. My first impression of the buildings was one of awe and the architecture gave me a sense of living in the past. Upon reaching, we unloaded and hauled them to our rooms. Again, I helped to carry them up to the first floor of the Playfair Halls where the ladies were to stay. Luckily my room was on the ground floor of Darroch Hall.
The sun was shining brightly and many of the African students were sitting on the field enjoying the warmth.
The walls of the halls were built with bricks that one can see in most buildings in Scotland. I could constantly imagine myself as being in the stories I had read in books by Enid Blyton. I would expect mist and fog in the evening as described in those stories.

At Edinburgh Airport

The plane touched down smoothly at Edinburgh at 3.30 pm. The usual process of getting the baggage and luggage from the airport to the bus that was waiting for us was carried out. Mike Wallace who was there to welcome as praised us for our collective effort in loading the luggage. It was late summer so I did not feel cold; furthermore I was already sweating after helping in the tedious task.

The airport at Edinburgh was like the Ipoh Airport. It is smaller. The one in Ipoh look spacious and well planned and decorated. Even the car park is bigger.

From London to Edinburgh

Heathrow Airport was indeed crowded and busy with people from all over the world. I had a burger and a cup of soft drink for lunch. After that we wandered around the airport observing the people. There were many Asians and I bet all of them were students going to colleges or universities as they open at around the same time of the year. We a also spent some time browsing at the magazines at the book store.

There was an announcement for passengers boarding the flight to Edinburgh. We rushed and managed to locate Gate 5 just ten minutes before the plane was supposed to take off. We boarded and I got seat 16A. We were relieved as the flight; BA4782, was delayed by another passenger who was lost but he was not from our group.

On board we were served tea and a light lunch (sandwich and cookie). The food was cold and tasteless. Anyway I ate it as I was hungry and did not want to waste it. I also took a set of cutlery (spoon, fork and knife) as souvenirs.