“If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay at home.” – James Michener

Today there was a bit of a close call. Not for me, but the people I was with on my way to Franco's. Franco's is not very far at all from Dalkeith House. It is about 4 blocks I'd say. Well it was around 9 o'clock here and we decided to do a run there. We passed through a group of locals who were preteens I'd say, first they almost ran us over while their hooligan ways. I was in a group of about 8, all female and one male.

After we got our food at Franco's we began our trek back. First I had to hear people grumble about the unhealthy fried food and Franco's. So what? They fry things here; pizza, hambugers, cheeseburgers, haggis, hotdogs, fish, you name it they fry it. It is part of their culture, and just what they eat. Oh yeah, so on our way back we had to pass back through the hoodlums. The females were freaking out a wee bit, so I said, "It is all good I'm here. Just be quiet and mind out own business we'll be fine" I said the I was here part in a joking way.

So, I was at the head of the group just walking munching on a slice of pizza, and walked through the group they said something to me, I ignored it. So they ignored me. Do you think the people I was with could do that? No they just had to respond, which led to the group calling out to them way after we passed them.

Sure, nothing happened. I didn't think anything would happen. Regardless. I was a bit irritated. I should have crossed them to the other side of the road. I blame myself a bit for saying not to worry. I should have been more serious and not joking.

One girl in our group did get growled/lunged at. Let's just say I wouldn't have interfered, and I seriously was going on my own way. Does this make me a bad person?

I think I'm just adjusting to the culture more. I see Locals be called out to by the preteens at night and they ignore it too. Maybe I'm just more aware of my surroundings, maybe I'm more laid back. Maybe I over think things.

I think I'm just sick of people. While in a large group it seems to just be obnoxious. I'd rather be out on my own or in a small two person group. Plus some people seem to not understand discretion or how to act their age or to understand that just because it is legal to drink doesn't mean it need to become your water.

Goodnight. That's it for my rant.