Glasgow

Scotland 7: Day 21

/ Dav / 1 Comment

03.22.19 | Glasgow, Scotland | 22:32

Today I took the opportunity to check something else off my bucket list. I walked to Queen Street Station and hopped on to a train that took me to Falkirk. From there, I walked 2 1/2 to 3 miles one way, all so that I could go and see The Kelpies.

I would lie to you and say that this has been a life-long dream of mine, but since the sculpture was built in 2013, still it is quite a sight to behold since these horses are over 30 meters high! [To learn more about The Kelpies, check out the entry at Wikipedia.org]

Scotland 7: Day 20

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03.21.19 | Glasgow, Scotland | 23:31

I would rather live in the country, than in the city. I hope I will always have a home in a place where you can still see the stars at night. Although this is true, I sure do love to wander around the city at night when it’s all lit up! This is what I did last night- it was amazing!

Glasgow at Night

Scotland 7: Day 19

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03.20.19 | Glasgow, Scotland |21:25

After this morning’s breakfast, I should probably eat only celery sticks for the rest of my journey. I promise I don’t always eat like a pig- but this is a vacation, after all. I had to stop at Oban Chocolate Company one last time for breakfast. Plus- ice cream for breakfast! When my server brought it out, she told me that it was a good choice because the mango made it healthy.

The train ride from Oban to Glasgow was rather nice. I was supposed to get off the train part way and transfer to another one, but one of the workers told me that was a misprint on my ticket and this train would take me all the way.

I’m staying in the most awesome flat, a little farther west than I’m familiar with. I usually have stayed in the Euro Hostel here, but I’m well under my budget and so I thought I’d splurge a tiny bit.

I created this little video of a few clips from the train ride, as well as a tour of my Airbnb here in Glasgow. I hope you enjoy!

032919 Oban to Glasgow, Airbnb

Scotland 7: Day 11

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03.12.19 | Oban Hostel | 20:54

Traditional Scottish Breakfast (minus the black pudding) in Glasgow

Earlier today, I had to say goodbye to Glasgow. It wasn’t too sad, however, because I’ll be back next week, at least for a few days. I’m looking forward to getting more into Glasgow, as I won’t be attending C2C every day. By the way, C2C 2020 tickets go on presale tomorrow, I do believe. Should I?

The train ride heading out of Glasgow was amazing! So beautiful and picturesque! On the way, I tried to shoot a few short videos, just so I could share the countryside. How awesome would it be to call this land “home”?

[I will upload some videos as soon as I have a faster connection]

Oban

Dinner was at a little fish restaurant. For my first course, I had some brie cheese, and the main meal was a haddock and chips. This is my second fish and chips of this vacation, and I’m pretty sure it won’t be my last. Dessert was banoffee pudding- it was a small portion, so I don’t feel bad.

Scotland 7: Day 10

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03.11.19 | Glasgow, Scotland | 21:45

Today was a great day! Since C2C is over, I got to see a little bit of Glasgow, finally. I grabbed a late lunch with one of my hostel mates- a guy named Paul. We ventured out and ended up at a little Russian restaurant. It was quite delicious! I had the borscht for an appetizer and then my main course was a roasted rabbit. I can’t remember the last time I ate a rabbit- tastes like chicken, only more gamey.

This evening was pretty low-key. It started raining, so I decided that I’d go see a movie. I accidentally bought tickets to the wrong cinema, so I had to grab an Uber in order to get there on time. I saw Captain Marvel. Pretty good film, most of it was easy to follow. Sometimes I struggle because there is so much going on with those Marvel storylines. I’m sure my nephew Sam can keep it all straight since that’s more of his world.

Scotland 7: Day 7

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03.08.19 | Glasgow, Scotland | 15:46

This morning I had to wave goodbye to Edinburgh… well, it’s never goodbye: I’ll be back before the end of this trip, and am planning on many, many more visits. I finally had a clear, rain-free morning, Yes, the temperature was down in the 40s, but it wasn’t raining. I blew a kiss goodbye and boarded the train to Glasgow. When I arrived, it was raining.

It’s great to be back! I checked in to the Euro Hostels, where I have stayed more times than I can count on one hand, and went to find some lunch and a travel soap holder.

It needs to be said that Imperial Leather is the most awesome soap and smelling it reminds me of Scotland. This is because I have always bought it while I was in Scotland (the first time was probably because it was cheap). I believe the fish time was back in 2011 when dinosaurs roamed the earth [see my post from 2011]. Now this smell, just like the taste of Irn-Bru, always acts as a reminder. Has anyone seen this brand in the states?

I found lunch at a Wetherspoon, which is a restaurant/pub chain I’ve seen around Scotland. I ate my first proper fish. & chips of this adventure. This one was especially amazing because I smothered it in salt and vinegar. It came with a side of mushy peas, which made the meal even more spectacular.

Tonight is the first night of Country to County, which is the event that I have planned this entire adventure around [see site]. Literally- last year, I bought tickets to this three-night concert and so I knew I’d needed to be in Glasgow at least today, tomorrow, and Sunday. The rest of this adventure only exists because I bought this non-refundable tickets to this! Truth be told- I’m not entirely sure if the ticket were non-refundable, I never really looked into it. I just pretended they are- so I can justify coming back to Scotland.

I tried napping, but I’m just too excited for the concert tonight! As tired as I was, I just couldn’t sleep. If you love country music, you’ll understand why: Chris Stapleton, Lyle Lovett, Ashley McBryde, Drake White & The Big Fire, Keith Urban, Brett Eldredge, Cam, Chase Rice, Lady Antebellum, Hunter Hayes, Dustin Lynch, and Carly Pearce… that’s why. These are the artist who will entertain me over the next three nights.

It’s time to grab my umbrella and head out. The S.S.E. Hydro, where the event is being held, is about half an hour walk from the hostel. I hope I can get some awesome pictures and videos!

23:36

This first night was pretty amazing! I loved most everyone who performed, but I have to say I was most impressed with Ashley McBryde and of course, Chris Stapleton. I knew Chris would be good because I heard him perform at this very concert two years ago [link]. The man is flawless. I’ve heard Ashley McBryde’s album, but there were some really great songs that I connected with. I’ll have to go listen to her some more.

I took a few short videos and some pictures throughout the 6 1/2 hour festival.

Drake White and the Big Fire – Periscope

Ashley McBryde – Periscope

Lyle Lovett – Periscope

Chris Stapleton – Periscope

I’m really looking forward to two more nights of this! Tonight was an amazing night!

Scotland 7: Day 9

/ Dav / 1 Comment

03.10.19 | Euro Hostels, Glasgow, Scotland | 12:19

Glasgow got a little bit of snow this morning, just before it was replaced by the rain. I just got back from an early lunch- I found one of those sushi places where the entrees come by on a conveyor. You stack up the empty plates and then they count them up to figure out your grand total. I wasn’t paying attention and went a little crazy, to the tune of £34. It looks as if I’ll be going over my budget today.

Tonight was the third and final night of Country to Country 2019. It was an incredible evening. The first performer was Carly Pearce. She was really good. I’m not too familiar with her music though. My only complaint was that most of her set, her mic was too low and so her band pretty much drowned her out. If I was more familiar with her music, this wouldn’t have mattered as much.

Dustin Lynch was the next act. He is very talented and I like his vibe, but I’m not always in the “Bro-Country” mood, and that’s pretty much how I would describe most of his songs. He too, however, is very talented.

Hunter Hayes was next. There were parts of his performance where it sounded like he was a bit pitchy. He did admit to everyone that he’s been trying to kick a cold for the past two weeks- sadly it showed. I need to familiarize myself with more of his songs- I recognized probably about four of them.

The headliner and final act of the night was Lady Antebellum. The best way to describe their whole set was- AMAZING! They had the perfect balance with the band, so there was never a struggle to hear any of their lyrics. Country music is all you the story, and it doesn’t make sense when I can’t hear the words being sung.

So now that C2C2019 is over, I will sum it up… the absolute best acts for the Glasgow shows were Ashley McBryde, Chris Stapleton, Cam, Keith Urban, and Lady Antebellum. My absolute favorite artist (if I have to pick one) was Cam. I just love Cam’s voice and writing style, I guess. Three very fun nights!

Scotland 7: Day 8

/ Dav / 4 Comments

03.09.19 | Euro Hostels, Glasgow, Scotland | 14:34

On my walk this morning, I saw an old woman feeding the birds. How can I not sing “Feed the Birds” from Mary Poppins? Yes, I sang it to myself, but life is so good when it reminds you to sing.

I wandered back to the Brunswick Hotel, where I’d first had a meal back in 2011 [see post]. When I found it, I noticed that the name of the restaurant has been changed to The Amsterdam. I ordered the burger- this was a really great burger, but it was so messy that I could only hold it for the first two bites. I then had to eat it with a fork, because I wanted to drip down my shirt. I didn’t want to look like a mess in front of my servers: Angus, who is from Australia, and Shona, who is a local girl. They were very kind and enthusiastic when I told them a little about my adventures.

Hopefully, the large burger means I won’t get hungry tonight at Country 2 Country. I’m so looking forward to tonight’s lineup, especially Keith Urban and Cam. I am so into their music. It’s time to take a shower and get ready to leave here in an hour.

23:36

Night number two was amazing! For me, the highlights were hearing Cam and Keith Urban perform live (both are on the bucket list, and I’m blessed to check them both off at the same time.) There are only two things I would change from last night- the first is that I would have Cam perform her song, “Cold In California”, and the second is that I wish she would have performed longer. When she was onstage at the end, singing “Burning House”, and everyone’s lights were lit, I got a little emotional. Chasing dreams is an emotional past time.

One of the coolest parts of the night-I got to meet up with my friends John and Gayle. They are the couple who I happened to sit next to at last year’s C2C [see post]. After the show, we walked over to a nearby hotel, and once again, John bought me an Irn Bru. I love John and Gayle! I look forward to many more meeting is the future!

^Double-chins are sexy!

Scotland 6: Day 37

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04.04.18 | Glasgow > Edinburgh | 10:52

After I get off of this plane in Edinburgh, it goes on and eventually goes all the way to Penzance, as in, The Pirates of Penzance! Does anyone remember any part of the “legacy” that I left behind at Eastern Arizona College? I wanna sing and dance, I wanna sing and dance, I wanna be a pirate in the Pirates of Penzance… Is this one of those full-circle moments? I think that perhaps it is.

It’s another rainy morning in Glasgow, but not as rainy as it was the last two days. It’s ok, however, because I’m on my way back to Edinburgh, and I’m sure that means it will be sunny and in the 70s. I kid- I checked the weather and it’s pretty much the same, for a couple of days, at least. Still, I’m excited about this Edinburgh round, because I’m doing the AirB&B thing. I have secured a lovely flat, that is right on High Street, up close to Edinburgh Castle. It should be lovely.

Edinburgh, Scotland | 12:24

I called it- the weather in Edinburgh is exactly the same as it was this morning in Glasgow, but colder. The snow has been coming down since I stepped off the train at Waverly Station. I’ll be hanging out in this Starbucks for the next 2 1/2 hours. I’m happy to keep on purchasing herbal teas or even hot chocolate if this is needed to extend my stay. I’m sharing a table with a young girl who is attending university in Cork, Ireland. She is, however, from Fort Worth, Texas. I showed her where my sister Melanie lives on the map and she says that’s not too far from her home. She knows the area well.

She asked me if I’d ever visited my sister, and when I told her that I had, she asked me if I hate Fort Worth- not how I feel about it, but if I hate it. I told her I had nothing against it, but I’m not that type of person who can sit still very long anyway. If I’m not traveling, there needs to at least be a plan for travel. Even a road trip somewhere works perfectly.

15:19

Ok- this apartment is the absolute best location! It’s very close to everything on the old side of the city. I wish I owned it! The first thing I did when I got here (other than using the restroom) was walked around and took some pictures! This place is truly lovely! It’s an older flat, but location, location, location!

Scotland 6: Day 36

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04.03.18 | Glasgow, Scotland | 21:00

Today was the return of the winter season. I kid you not! When I first went outside to find breakfast, it was a snowy/ wintry mix. Not sticking, of course, but definitely snowing! It was beautiful to look at. I walked around for a while and even visited The Apple Store. I’m not ready to make any new purchases, but it’s always nice to go inside and dream for a minute or two. Just like the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Apple store is true. Also like Jesus, Apple loves me.

After a haircut to “freshen up” (my dark burgundy hair is now a faded pink- I still love it), I swung by H&M because I have misplaced my scarf. On days like today, a scarf is necessary. It’s probably going to be rainy when I go to Edinburgh tomorrow. I next stopped by the grocery store and grabbed some snacks and decided that today I’d hang out inside. Reading and watching movies, seemed like the best option- it’s too cold outside!