As some may remember
from my last post about commuting in another country here, I am currently interning in Edinburgh, Scotland for 10 weeks.
I truly enjoy learning about other cultures and immersing myself in the lifestyle and customs. I have never been so overwhelmed than when I went to the local grocery store. In Scotland, they have numerous grocery store options from Tesco to ASDA, which is actually owned by Wal-Mart. I frequent the local Tesco as it is close to my flat.
I like to think I have
an open mind when it comes to trying new things like food, but in some
instances, I do not. From walking the busy aisles to seeing food and brands I
did not recognize, I was stressed out. I didn't know what to get, what I could
actually cook, what was good, and so on.
I found myself quickly
searching for brands I recognized, and I was thankful for the Kellog's Special
K with red berries in the cereal aisle. I did try some foods I normally like
such as yogurt and cheeses but different brands, and I surprisingly liked them
some even more than US brands. I even learned a shopping cart is called a
trolley here, pretty neat!
With that being said, I
also have bought some food that was foreign to me like different sausages and
pastas dishes, which we wouldn't eat in the US. I won't go as far as buying the
pork tongue lunch meat in the photo, but I did step out of my comfort
zone.
At restaurants, I have
tried the customary fish and chips, bangers and mash, and burgers along with
some other fabulous seafood. The mussels in the photo are locally sourced from
the Shetland Islands in Scotland. I have also tried Chinese and Mexican food,
which I should warn that it is very different from that in the United States
and Arkansas, specifically. The Italian food is very authentic though, which I
would highly suggest trying as well.
My advice for others is try not to get overwhelmed like I did. It is a learning experience much like your entire study abroad experience. Take your time in the grocery store, learn the local favorites, and try something new because you might actually like it.
