ME, SCOTLAND AND THE SCOTS

I consider myself lucky for spending 15 months in a paradise called Scotland. Heaven does have a synonym – Scotland. I spent the 15 months in Aberdeen aka The Granite city aka the silver city with golden sands aka ‘Energy Capital of Europe’ as a student. Aberdeen is very small compared to our huge densely populated cities, but ‘Small is beautiful’. Aberdeen has won Britain in bloom contest 10 times. Aberdeen has a rich history and is inhabited by humans for more than 8000 years. It’s situated between 2 rivers river Dee and river Don. For some time I Iived on the bank of river Dee. The river water was fresh and clean, Dee reminded me of our (Pune’s) unfortunate river Mutha, ha well, someday it will resemble Dee.

If you want to have glimpse of medieval Scotland then you’ve ought to visit old Aberdeen. It’s like rolling back in time. The old city layout is green and well organized; the old buildings on both side of the asphalt road are still in excellent condition and the icing on the cake is University of Aberdeen. If U left Aberdeen without visiting this remarkable institution then Ur trip is incomplete. Established in 1495 University of Aberdeen is one of the oldest in UK.

Due to my part time student job @ Tesco I visited Westhill thrice a week. Riding the bus to Westhill will always be a happy memory. The dense woods on the side of the road, small hamlets on the way and mist during the nights were mesmerizing. While returning in the mornings the sunrise was always spectacular, clouds kissing the earth, pack of birds flying high and a green blanket spread everywhere (accept in winters). The Westhill suburbs are located at the foot and on the side of a hill. The job was cool and paid really well compared to what other students earned. Thanks to Tesco as a student I lived a luxurious life.

I was a student at The Robert Gordon University; honestly speaking it is a pretty descent university; the downside was that 2 faculty member’s sucked big time but the rest were good. The library was well equipped and the university infrastructure was excellent and well maintained. There were ample of computers, printers for the student use and the librarians were helpful. There were no water dispensers and water needed to be purchased, I preferred coke. The classrooms were big, well lit and fully equipped. Studying at RGU was a cool experience. Often I ended spending 12 hours in the library. There was a gym next to the university building; it was good one. I lived in Woolmanhill university hostel, me and my mates in the block used to have a blast.

Now a little about Scots. If you want to learn how to live - learn it from the Scots. They are hardworking, peaceful, lively, romantic, polite, helpful and fun loving people - Live and let live is their motto. Not once did I experience racism, the Scots are very warm people and they will treat U respectfully irrespective of your color or creed. They are hard drinkers and no one can beat them in drinking. Scots are social people, after a hard day’s work they prefer to spend peaceful evenings in pubs and bars with their friends drinking beer. Friday and especially the Saturday nights are a bash. Union Street floods with happy and lively people. On the early Sunday mornings on their way home drunk you will hear them sing loudly. I loved hearing them sing, their voices sounded happy and carefree.

We Indians are not like them (I am not insisting on drinking but living). We do not express ourselves, something holds us back. What is it? Is it in our genes, is it our society or is it the way we are raised? I think it’s our culture. We spend most of our life worrying about things which are superficial. Religion, caste, intolerance, unnecessary indulgence in politics, ridiculous rituals, carelessness and fear of being criticised all come into play to ruin our life. Whatever might be the reasons we compromise a lot in our life e.g. I have observed that once a person gets married half of the fun in his /her life dries up and the remaining evaporates after they have babies; it’s not the case with the Scots. After marriage they become responsible but not bored & tired with their life. They handle the responsibilities of a family guy/gal and simultaneously enjoy the thrill they had as a bachelor. They balance their social and family life well, I think this helps in mental well being and also results in a happy family life. I think this is the secret behind their happy and contended life. I would like to end this piece by saying ‘I plan to live my life the Scottish way – responsible but lively’.

-Pritash Chaudry