7 people, chosen to live together, in an intentional community, at Findhorn. This is what happens when people stop showering, and start eating a lot of organic food.

That's my rendition of the "Real World Findhorn." If only I had a video camera. Anyway, Day 1. Here I am. Well rested, well fed (according to the California Act of Organic Agriculture), and well overwhelmed. It's a good overwhelming though. If there is such a thing. The environmental science majors are out walking along the beach and the writer is inside, safe and a bit chilly, writing, of course. Can't beat myself up for being who I am, I guess. I will be happier when I can type on my own computer and not the ancient Macintosh relic, the PowerMac 7200 (can I get a what's up for old macs?).
I had a pleasant dinner last night after my arrival. Veggies, veggies, everywhere and not enough toilet paper. That's my theme. Graphic, but hey, it's the truth. (truth!). The food is really good. I mean, it's a change from the junk food I had all summer, but it will be good for me to do a little clean out of the ol' system. It was slowing me down. Not that I was really moving that fast (between the couch and my computer). I ate beets yesterday...and people say I can't change! I'll show them.
Anyway, The Park, which is what we refer to as where we are (live, eat, hang, etc) is nice. I do feel like I am at a summer camp...only it's more like a winter camp. It's already rained quite a bit and I packed away any light clothing I brought and pushed the sweaters to the front of the closet. I'm back in my wool socks too. The area surrounding our bungalow is lush and green, largely do to one of the three MAJOR rules: "Don't pick the flowers." (The other two are don't smoke and don't do illegal drugs). It's a natural paradise really. There are tons of places to sit, get lost, read, meditate (there's a whole sanctuary and even a separate eating hall for those who don't want to talk). Our bungalow is nice. Rooms are small but common rooms are large and comfortable. I am excited to fill up the walls with the art we do. Our orientation starts tomorrow and goes for a good two weeks. Lots to learn in a short amount of time. Originally 3 months felt like a long time, but with all I want to do, it feels shorter already. Stay tuned for how that will change in a month...(!)
My fellow roommates and classmates are a fairly diverse bunch. Well, we're all women (and one lone man), so not THAT diverse, but we all have diff. majors and interests. I'll take pictures soon so you'll know who's who when I talk about them.
We had brunch today with more of the community and I had more questions than air with which to expell them. So many different things interest me and everything seems different when people are "in community."
That's how life is referred to. Apparently, lots of people only live in community for a short time...not a lifetime, although I already met a girl who was born here. That's pretty interesting to see. 16 years old, living in community. The 12-28 yr old population is sparse, if at all. Kind of disconcerting since that's my age group, but interesting nonetheless since the students of FCS become that population. All seven of us. :) I am interested in how the system of community works and already we've been given the basic skeleton of KP duty, work shifts, etc. There are about 150 people here (not the 400 I read about) and of those, not many are directly related to the college. The community just got considerably smaller, in a day or two.
I'll be attending an open mic tonight, sizing up the crowd, seeing about doing my own performance. I've been writing quite a bit so I imagine at least I'll do that. There are dance classes, meditation classes, this and that happening all the time and I am excited to try as much as possible..if not a bit broke already from just thinking about it.
Findhorn the village (referred to as "the village" from now on) is a short jaunt up the road. The villagers are not fond of the confusion between Findhorn the foundation (the greater community) and the village. But we're careful to specify (as I have done extensively here). It's interesting how those dynamics work. Alternative communities are usually shoved off to the side, as an after thought. I'm interested in trying to smooth over those rough lines when I start my own community. Which, of course, is something that is easy to think about when I walk around and ask a million questions. I can see where the system needs work and it makes me push those things forward in my mind so they are considered early on. I think technology is a tool that is only recently being applied to the alternative living styles. Not just architecture or power sources, but the integration of the whole thing. Some people only know about one thing, so they are not as connected to the next thing that doesn't seem to be related. This is much harder to come together when people don't know how things operate. Note to self.
On a more personal note, I admit that change is hard for me in the beginning because of the switching of routines. The next two weeks will be spent orienting ourselves and I may have little access to the internet (and therefore messages will be bounced back) but I will get back to it as soon as possible. I may have to handwrite (gasp!) til then. I already had the revelation that although I came here with lofty ideas about change and growth, I really do like myself the way I am. Not in a "I'll never change" sort of way, but I am okay with my quirkiness and sometimes enjoy the juxtaposition of the techno-freak versus the dreadlock queen or the environmental studies majors. And I'm not sorry I used most of my luggage to bring tons of warm clothes. I'm quite certain I will be using them all, in multiple layers of course.
At this point I am a bit tired and I will be settling down for a little nap, maybe a little meditation...or maybe more writing in a much warmer place (this shed is unheated). Keep checking in and I hope to hear from everyone about any news you'd like to share. Also, feel free to ask me questions as I'm sure I am skipping over tons of things because there is so much to process!

Welcome all ye to my first Scottish blog. Remember, "if it's not Scottish, it's crap!" I am currently in the library in Glasgow, Scotland. If you don't know where that is, then find a map and look in the upper middle section of Scotland. It's in between a few sheep, just north of Haggisland, real close to the Loch Ness Monster. I had a trial of a time getting here though, to be honest. I left Seattle well-rested and full of enthusiasm, and that all slowly dwindled away as I lost sleep, got a few kinks in my neck from plane travel, and lugged my heavy luggage (now you know where the word 'lug' comes from!) in a big circle, up and down stairs to my almost final destination, McLay's Guest House. Inappropriate euphamism will be insinuated now (but still misspelled). I've had a whale of a time figuring out what time it is...since all the clocks say different things...and I thought the UK was home of the atomic clock! Anyway, back to my interesting arrival. So I got to NYC at a pretty late hour. I had intended to stay with a friend of mine, but failed to call prior to my arrival (never assume people remember that you are coming on a given day) so I arrived to an empty apt. Well, I never got into the apt. actually. I got as far as the urine-filled hallway leading to the apt. Luckily, some very awake and very friendly NYC Pratty kids let me in and even helped me with my 41lb. bag. I resolved to sit and wait for said friend until he arrived (all the while upset that I had not brought my cell phone). I read my book and wrote some stuff on my laptop and ended up spending about an hour and a half waiting. That is, until I fell asleep. I managed to hear one of the Pratty kids, upon his departure from the building, call me a hobo. "See ya later, hobo!" Which made me smile and also, woke me up. A few girls from this same group who lived in the building took some New York (or rather Connecticut) pity on me and let me come up to their apt., call my friend, and then call Eli. After a few short minutes, where I was privy to some energetic art school students NOT on speed tell me all about their dating prospects, Eli called back and came to get me. But it was not before the girls offered to let me stay there overnight, some hospitality that I was VERY grateful for. No more urine hallways for me!
Eli came and took me to his house, where at the ripe hour of 4:30am, I fell soundly asleep. Luckily, it was his day off that day so there was little disruption. I knew I had to be at the airport at 5pm but the rest of the day was free to gallavant around NYC. Well, that's a strong verb, more like eat and go shopping. Which I did. Met a friend of Eli's, Joe, who talked movies (excuse me, film) with me. Good peeps all around. I headed off to JFK to await my departure from NY to, no, not Scotland yet, but Iceland! Those of you who know the methods of budget travel know that there is no such thing as a cheap direct flight. I will eventually learn that "flexible" is another word for "inconvenient." I was told to arrive at 5pm, even though the flight wasn't until 8:50p. Nothing like a few hours in the airport. I made use of this time by finishing my book, sleeping in an airport chair, and waiting around the ticket counter for them to make me run to my gate (only to have to check my carry on bag!). This was a thrill I won't forget, although I might like to eventually. I boarded my plane just in time and we were off to Iceland. Many other budget travelers were on board. I sat in between two nice gentleman who spoke a little of my destination, Findhorn, and the beauty of Iceland (two separate convos). I was excited to hear the accents already and was even more excited at the engaged expression upon my explanation of 'Findhorn' and my studies therein. Then I proceeded to have a very uncomfortable nap for 5 hours. We got to Iceland just fine, and there I was permitted to sleep a little while more in another set of airport chairs. These ones were better since I could lie down. Then we were off again to Glasgow. I arrived in Glasgow tired and excited and assumed my position of "aware student traveler." This is a catch-22 though. Looking like I know what I am doing wards off any would-be theives, and yet it also wards off any nice people who wouldn't mind helping a confused traveler out. Luckily, I am quick to figure out my bearings and I boarded a bus (on the left side of the street) going toward the city, Glasgow (known as GLA from here on out). I got off the bus at the Queen Street Station, supposedly blocks from the guest house I had researched prior to my arrival. This is a recommended method of tourism, as you have at least one reference point, and can feel free to explore others without feeling a sense of being stranded. In the station I proceeded to find a map, and look for the address of the guest house. I didn't want to walk a long ways but ended up doing so before I realized I overshot my destination. Nothing like a heavy bag, little sleep, and even less food to make a nice stroll worthwhile.
I ended up staying at my previously viewed guest house because I had a heavy bag and thought that one trip up a bunch of stairs was plenty. I'm now staying in a single bed room with cable. And many of you might be a little miffed at my excitement about cable...well, it's nice to have something making noise when you have no one to talk to and you are suffering jet lag. Which I was. I ended up napping all through the day despite my desire to stay awake...I figured I'd sleep at night too so it was okay. There was a tea kettle in my room and the bathroom down the hall had no water pressure. I love GLA! After a much needed shower and change of clothes (it's COLD already), I headed out into the city to see about some dinner. Those who have traveled with me know that my staples are tea biscuits and orange juice and a nearby grocery store provided me the comfort I desired. I enjoy buying food in grocery stores rather than going out. It's cheaper, but also I get to see what other food there is. And I don't have to pay tax or tip. Plus, I think I can deal with a cold turkey sandwich now and again. As I was walking I found it hard not to smile (or grin, rather) at people...not the actual people themselves, but the fact that I was here in Scotland, looking at Scottish people. I eventually went home though because I was tired again and knew I should really go to bed early to get all the sleep I could so I could walk around the next day.
I woke up this morning, got ready, watched a little tv (it's just tempting, okay?) and then went downstairs for my Scottish breakfast. YUM. Eggs, bacon, sausage, a potato thingy (not a waffle one though), toast and tea. Just what I wanted! I wolfed that down and headed out to 'get things done.' I had to write my papers (one is done and I have one more to go), get to the post office, buy a rail ticket and discount card, and all that other business stuff. Plus, I knew I should see a little of Glasgow before I headed out to Findhorn tomorrow. The museum wasn't open yet so I walked around like a wide-eyed tourist for a little while until I got to the info place. I found out where the library was, and the subsequent internet terminals. Resourceful, am I. So far I have spent most of the day inside on the computer gettings things done.
I am comforted by hearing Scottish accents and I look forward to being able to speak in one as well. I have already started thinking in one, and I just have to make it come out sounding natural. It's weird to hear myself talk and I have done a good job of speaking softly and politely so as not to draw attention to the fact that I am not from around here. I take pride in being able to blend in to my surroundings. A cultural chameleon of sorts. I already had someone ask me how they weigh the bananas...granted, she was even more foreign than I.
GLA is a nice town. Not as drizzly as I expected. It looks like a European city, but I decided I like that look. Lots of places to rent here. Lots of awesome buildings. Lots of cellphone stores and clothing stores.
I will be off to Findhorn in the morn. I am excited to unpack my huge bag...have a place to call home for three months. I am excited to talk to people too. I'm already blazing through the books I brought with me, which is good, but also narrows my reading down. I'm sure it will pick up when I start school. I almost forgot I am here for school. It still feels like vacation to me.
I of course miss everyone...I am often reminded of people while I attempt to live a regular life. I assumed I would be really sad upon my departure but no tears have come. I'm guessing that's because I feel most sad and lonely when I am isolated and when I can't keep in touch. Having the internet for free at the library is something of a godsend and I feel much better for having it. I spose that means I won't be running off to any less 'developed' countries, for fear of not being able to keep in touch. It's just one of those things I guess.
After leaving all of my loved ones behind, I realize that missing them is more about realizing that they are integral parts of my life and I look forward to the new way in which we can communicate in the coming months. Distance is a wonderful thing looked at from a new perspective.
That seems to be it so far. I don't think I'll be logging in again today, but that's my update. If anyone wants a postcard written with old fashioned pen and paper, feel free to email me your snail mail address (if I don't already have it). Also, tell me if you have a birthday I might miss because I didn't write them all down. beccacampbell@hotmail.com. Okay, I should get going. Cheers mates, and I'll write again soon.