Last night I got in from Edinburgh. I had no bookings for the night but I was supposed to stay with a host but that fell though. So it was around 11pm and I found my usual Wireless savior, McD’s. I already had a backup hostel but I wanted to grab a bite and get wifi since not all hostels are Internet savvy. I ordered a chicken sandwich and a
milkshake. But I realized I could barely understand the cashier. The scottish accent was so thick, I’ve never heard it so thick. But I got the gist of it. It was near midnight when I asked if the 44bus was still running I was taken to the back of McD’s and shown the way. The floor was surprisingly greezey.
As I stood there watching the club groups walk by I decided the next thing to drive by was my mode of transport – cab or bus. It was cab, 3.40£ got me to the SYHA and I booked 2 nights. I think that was 33£. I was told I was room 315D, and of course – no elevator. That’ll teach me not to buy more things. It was late, and I was exhausted.
I hiked and hauled my burden rolly bag up 4 flights of stairs. All the way until there were no more stairs left. But I was rewarded. For one the hostel is amazing, like an old hotel. The stairs have wooden banisters with carved angels and at the top a sun roof. Very nice. My second reward at this time of night was that no one was in the 6 bed room, minus one girl’s bags. After freshening up and getting PJs on I went to bed. Obviously after midnight the girl comes home and with the squeeky bunkbed wakes me up. Grumble. I didn’t try to be extra quiet this morning.
I woke up at 8:30am and left around 10:30am. I decided I’d take a tour today. I also decided I’d be frugal and cruel again and make myself walk downtown. I also like this because I can check out stores and buildings along the way. I love it how there are many thrift stores all in one area. Fantastic. Love it. I stopped at a bookstore and almost bought another book. But I stopped myself. It was about helping dogs, and one was named, “Haley”.
I’m on the City Sightseeing tour, I got off at the Glasgow university stop and I’m enjoying the cool and warm weather, blue skies and sunshine. The buildings are fantastic. They are so lucky. Jesus. So I’m in the chapel and the choir seating has shields. I think it’s Scottish shields. But I’m sitting back and looking at the stained glass windows ahead. They are plum purples, emerald greens wooden browns, and muted yellows. I really wish I could make commentary on the architecture but I have no clue. I wonder how old this is it doesn’t say anywhere. Pictures have no way of expressing the overwhelming-ness this college presents itself to be.
After that I got back on the tour bus and got off when we were near the Willow Tea Room. I never got there because I stopped at a pastery shop. I bought a few things. One was a shortbread sandwich with a dried cream icing ontop and in between. That one was really good. Another was a pie bottom with soft caramel and chocolate on top. That one was a great comfort food apparently it’s as soothing as peanutbutter and chocolate. I think. I forget what the last one was,
it had a marshmellow fluff on shortbread and a small dollop of strawberry inside and the mellow dipped in a yogurt strawberry icing. They were all very good.
After that I realized it was getting abit late. 6pm is pretty much closing time even though it looks like 3pm. So the tea room would be closed. So I was hungry for dinner and real food. I went to Salsbury and bought a sandwich, water, a bag of granola cereal and a tiny jug of milk (about 2 cereal bowls worth).
After that I walked back across town to the hostel. When I got back I eyed the tours around Scotland. I thought about it and then went to go get labels for my fridge food. After putting them away I asked about pamflets for the tours. After while I decided on the “Loch Ness, Glencoe, & The Highlands” tour for Tuesday. After booking that I also booked a few parts of the end of my trip before heading up for bed. I didn’t get to bed until later because I repacked my bags, which I basically have to do every day or whenever I take something out of there. I charged my Ipod as well as much as possible and started reading a new book. I really liked “Endel”, the whole story was very well done and I hope I can get my Mom to read it. For the emotional value, and maybe a bit educational on the whole service dog thing.
