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And so the blogging begins....
I arrived in lovely Glasgow on Monday after a rather uneventful flight. I was planning on embellishing the mundane adventures of my journey but they mostly involved me setting off metal detectors and walking into the men’s toilets and now that I have managed to get over the jet lag and do some exploring, it seems unnecessary. For those of you who MUST hear the embellished version however, I did write it down so you may see it when I return home.
As mentioned earlier, Monday and Tuesday were spent getting over jet lag and picking up some essentials (a mobile phone and shoes). Today I ventured out of Glaswegian suburbia and wandered through some of the city’s historical sites. Those of you who recall my love of gothic architecture and cemeteries will understand why I love this city so much.
The day began with a ride on one of Glasgow’s pink double-decker buses. Thinking myself clever, I decided to sit at the very front of the top level. I soon realized that Glasgow bus rides are not like those in congested London and after being thrown against the front window twice, I
Glasgow Cathedral
As seen from the Necropolishumbly moved to the back row.
My morning was spent wandering through the city centre on my way to the Glasgow Cathedral. Apparently my attempt at disguising my status as a tourist was successful as I was asked for directions not less than ten times. Luckily, I had studied my map of Glasgow carefully and was able to give directions with confidence. Whether or not my directions were accurate remains to be seen. I, at least, did not get lost and that’s what’s important in the end.
The Cathedral Precinct was fascinating, particularly as the throngs of tourists I expected to find were absent, and I was able to enjoy the museums leisurely. The one exception, I must add, was the one American family that seemed to follow me, their spoiled child screaming and alarming me every time I tried to take a photograph. I will spare my valued readers detailed explanations of every site I went to as I feel you are all capable of googling what takes your fancy. Instead, I will briefly describe the area. The Cathedral Precinct consists of the Glasgow Cathedral, Provand’s Lordship, St. Mungo’s Museum of Religious Life and Art, and the
Glasgow Cathedral interior
One of the few pictures that turned out halfway decent. Necropolis.
The Cathedral itself is breathtaking and I feel that pictures cannot adequately express its beauty (that and the very dim lighting that made taking photographs extremely difficult). The tombs in the basement and the towering Necropolis behind provide an eerily fantastic atmosphere.
Provand’s Lordship, Glasgow’s oldest house, was built in 1471 and provides a realistic depiction of life in the middle ages. I was thankful that the house was empty as a very realistic, singing mannequin on the second floor almost made me wet myself.
I spent a couple of hours at St. Mungo’s Museum, looking at the exhibits and relaxing in Glasgow’s first Buddhist Zen garden. It was interesting to see the common threads that run through all of the world’s religions and made the never-ending conflicts seem all that much more ridiculous. A temporary photo exhibit, “Women and War”, was both beautiful and disturbing but was spoiled slightly by the groups of school children who poured in after me.
I ended my afternoon with a stroll up to the top of the Necropolis, wandering through the tombstones, some almost 600 years old. Choosing to take the road less travelled, I began my ascent
on the smaller, creepy footpath. This, of course, only led to a close encounter with a wasp and my ending up outside the grounds again. I was not fortunate enough to encounter any ghosts, though I did see some lost souls; many of Glasgow’s homeless take shelter in the decrepit tombs that line the paths.
Alas, my weariness returns and I fear that I must sign off for today. I hope everyone is well and have enjoyed this entry.
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Wendy
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Silly me
Hiya Gali! Hugs! How are you today World Traveller? Well, I managed to find your next journal entry. Don't ask me why I simply didn't stare harder at the bottom of your original journal entry (this is a test....) to find it....lol.....I love the picture of the Glasgow Cathedral. Even looking at it I felt spiritual. (Must be the Catholic in me.) It reminded me of Andrew and I's trip to France. I couldn't get enough of the churches and the architecture. It was the first time I even felt rather spiritual in curches. There isn't that feel for me in Canada...Like you, I absolutely LOVE Gothic architecture. It's strength and structures are bold and gorgeous. The beauty is to behold and admire. Looking at your pictures made me realize I never have lost the travel bug and I wish I could have found a way into your suitcase.........I laughed at the part of your blog where you almost wet yourself. lol....Hilarious. That mannequin is rather creepy and I can just picture you coming upon it in surprise. Provand's Lordship is very cool. The age of the building alone still makes me go 'wow!' It makes you realize how young Canada really is.... I'll go check out your other entry now. Hope the Scottish folks are treating you nicely. It's awesome to hear that you've blended in so well as a local you're getting asked for directions. I am impressed Gali. Are people telling you: "I love your accent, where are you from?" Meanwhile, you're thinking, "No, no, You're the one with the accent." lol.... Take care, Wendy