Wednesday, 5 December 2007
More Hiking Up and Down
Glasgow
Saturday morning Andy and I caught the early train to Glasgow for a weekend in the city. Remarkably, even though Glasgow is only a couple hours away, we haven't done this yet since I've been here. We're just not city people, I guess. What gave us the motivation to go to the city for two days was that there was an orienteering event in the Glasgow city parks on Sunday. So, we went early to spend Saturday wandering around and sightseeing.
The first thing we saw was George Square filled with huge Christmas decorations and a fun-fair complete with outdoor ice rink, covered music stage, and garish rides blasting tinny carols. We avoided the greasy bratwurst, the carousel, and the millions of kids, and sat down next to a stone lion along the side of a war memorial in a quiet corner of the square. The reason it was so quiet was that there was a sign posted in front of the memorial, forbidding us to allow our children to play there, to use the area for seating, or to enjoy the memorial in any way whatsoever. It made a perfect picnic spot.
Coming to Glasgow from Oban for the weekend is a funny experience. We probably looked like country bumpkins staring at all the tall buildings. Then we were moaning in envious agony every time we saw an organic whole-foods market with gorgeous displays of organic fresh produce and shelves and shelves of beautiful natural food. Inevitably the shop had an inviting café adjacent or connected to it, which was probably open until at least midnight. Oh, we moaned and cried. The things we miss living out in a tiny town where everything closes at 5:00 and the whole-foods shop is the size of a closet.
We met up with Aaron, the brother of Nathan, a good friend of mine in Oregon. Out of his mouth came Nathan's voice, I mean exactly! It was uncanny. You have to listen to what we're saying, Aaron said. Our voices sound the same but we say different things.
It was a fantastic afternoon of wandering the city, enjoying lunch at a fancy patisserie, a quick run through the Kelvingrove Museum, a pint at an Irish pub, a most enjoyable film at the Glasgow Film Theatre--Darjeeling, Ltd., which I highly recommend as a goofy, colorful romp into upper-class white male soul-seeking and cultural appropriation. I'm not giving anything away to say that the whole story was three little-rich-boys-in-men's-clothes crying for mummy and daddy, while feeling entitled to sample everything they lay their eyes on. It was remarkably funny.
Incredible Thai food put the final touch on the day. Thanks, Aaron, for indulging our every whim and accompanying us on a fantastic day in Glasgow. I slept well and deeply, but not long enough, as we had to get moving early to catch a train to another part of the city where the orienteering started.
The orienteering event entailed three races in three different city parks. I won't say too much about it, other than I did miserably and didn't finish two of the three races. Andy did well, though, and had some super runs. The crowd was friendly, and we were able to get rides between the parks and a ride back downtown afterwards from some very nice people.
What else can I say about the weekend, other than I slept the entire way home on the train?
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I have very fond memories of "escaping" to Edinburgh while I lived in Castle Douglas. I ate spicy food, raw vegetables, good coffee, pastries and interesting cheese. I gawked at tall buildings and reveled in doing something social other than drinking a pint in the evening. In my mind it's one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world, because of the sharp contrast to the world where I lived (and was fed food cooked by someone who believed that British food really did need to be bland and boiled).
ReplyDeleteWhen I lived in Glencoe, Glasgow was a city treat, but I cooked for myself so I spent more time shopping for spicy ingredients than trying to fit in (and afford) 6 meals a day of things I couldn't get in Castle Douglas.
Now I view Charleston, WV (a very small city by most measures) with the same awe. When we go, we eat Indian food or at a funky vegetarian cafe, watch a movie, buy fabulous produce and feel like we've been to the "city".
The contrast is everything. Of course, if I were living in a big city, I would 'ooh' and 'ahhh' whenever I went out into the countryside. Oh wait, I do that anyway!
ReplyDeleteMarieke,
ReplyDeleteSo glad you got a chance to get to know my brother. Aaron is quite a trip, eh? I was informed by Jan (aka Ma Buck) that -- as you relayed your first experience of meeting me -- Aaron said something to the effect (and I paraphrase), "Gag me, please," followed by something like, "It's my job to pick on him since he's my brother."
Aaron emailed me and told me he had a wonderful time hanging out with you and Andy and would love to do it again sometime:) He said he craved some good company and conversation, and you provided just that.
I MAYBE should have warned you that he and I have different senses of humor and sensibilities -- but I'll let you in on a secret (shh)....Aaron's just the biggest softie in the world underneath his sassy sarcasm. That's my bro!
Love,
Nathan