I arrived in Glasgow by coach after a few glorious days in Edinburgh. I am getting quite used to traveling on the National Express - I can charge my phone/laptop, listen to music, use their free on-board wi-fi and before I know it- I am at my next destination.
I was aware that my hotel was 'a short bus ride away' and by 'short', I assumed ten minutes at the most. Wrong. It took 20 minutes by bus, followed by a 5 minute walk. My hotel seemed to be on the outskirts of town - not many shops about, and the ones that were about were run down and the food goods inside were dusty and all looked like they expired years ago. Hmmm. Not a good start.
I got to the door of my hotel and dragged my suitcase up the stairs and said hello to the lady at the desk. She grumbled something I didn't hear very well, so I smiled and said 'Good evening' - she said to me
'Yes - you were supposed to be here yesterday.'
'Um? Was I?? I had it down for arriving on the 18th?'
'Well that's not what our booking says' thrusting a piece of paper with dates scrawled all over it. I pointed out that it said the 18th - 20th on the sheet. She examined it, her face softened, and then she said 'Ooh deary, my mistake. How about I upgrade you to a double room with an ensuite, free of charge. And I'll throw in a breakfast bag each morning too.'
'That sounds amazing, thank you so much.' - thinking to myself - woo hoo!
I went out in the local town in search of a Tesco or a Sainsbury's and after walking for about 20 minutes found a Sainsbury's. I got some snacks for dinner (I'd had a big pub lunch) and walked back to my hotel. I had noticed that Glasgow is dirty. Very dirty. Rubbish sacks piled up outside shops - as if they have not been collected for weeks. And there were groups of men standing on the street, drinking and smoking - and sometimes leering as I walked past which I didn't really like. I held my bag closer to me and quickened my pace but must have been obvious about it, because a guy started laughing and walking beside me, whilst all his mates laughed. I did not see the funny side - and couldn't wait to be back in my hotel room. It was then that I decided seeing Glasgow by night was simply *not* an option!
On Friday, I woke when I woke and lay awake, not overly keen on venturing out in town as I had looked in the few brochures I could find in the rail station and nothing really took my fancy. It was at this point I really wished I stayed in Edinburgh where there were still attractions I wanted to see, and the Fringe Festival was still on. Never mind eh! I finally left my hotel at 10.30am and found my way to the City Centre, Buchanan Street - which is the main shopping drag of Glasgow. It was fairly quiet, and I went into the information centre and found that Glasgow doesn't seem to have many attractions - you need to travel *out* of Glasgow to see anything really worthwhile.
Don't worry - there were highlights. The first was a man who was pretending to be a statue for money (I'm sorry, but really? *That* is your talent? And you want *money* for staying still?? There was a man playing classical guitar who I felt more deserving of the dosh...) and as I was looking at him, a bunch of pigeons landed on him which made me smile, but once they started pecking at his face I lost the plot - I can think of nothing worse than pigeons pecking at my face!! There were also a number of young girls in purple t-shirts who were trying to get money from people to save young girls from being forced into marriage. One girl approached a woman who was walking rather fast, the girl said (in her most sickly sweet voice)
"Good morning, how are you? Can I just take up a minute of your time" to which I overheard the reply;
"No, sorry - I'm in a real hurry" followed by a crash, tumble and some gasps. I looked over my shoulder to see the woman had bailed over and was on the ground. I could not *help* but smile... I'm so evil! But it made my morning.
I wandered around George Square, and noticed a large crowd forming. Curious to know what the deal was, I went closer and overheard someone talking about zombies and car crashes and film crews. It was then that I remembered Mum had sent me a link about the new Brad Pitt film 'World War Z' which is due out next year. It is being filmed in Glasgow because it has a similar road grid system much like Philadelphia, where the film is set. What confuses me is why they don't just use the streets of Philadelphia? I found a space at the front of the railing and watched what was going on, which in all honesty, was not much, for about half an hour. It was exciting to see where the movie is being filmed all the same... it means that when I see the movie next year (assuming I will, of course!) I will be able to say "Ooh, I've been there!" What I found tricky was knowing what in the area is from Glasgow, and what is Philadelphia! Confusing as a tourist!
After that, I needed to fill in more of my day, so I bought a ticket for the City Sightseeing bus - £11 for two days of transport around the city, and information about it by a live guide. It was the most boring city sight seeing tour I have *ever* been on... there just isn't anything good to see - very average. I hope I don't offend anyone...perhaps I somehow missed the great things to see in Glasgow?? I understand it is a shopping capital, after Oxford St in London... but not being here to shop - what else is there?! The bus tour was a good way to get around and fill in some time! The most exciting thing I saw on the tour was the film set from up high. Which isn't usually even here. Oh - and Dr. Who's tardis. I saw that too... hehe. Oh! And the statue that has a road cone on the head pretty much all the time. Whenever it is removed, or falls off - it is back up again the next day. In fact it is so popular, it has been in guide books - and if people come to Glasgow and the cone is missing, people get upset. I guess when there isn't anything really cool to see in the town, the townspeople have to make cool things to see.
Saturday I got up at 10am (leisurely, I know) and left the hotel at 11.30am. I caught the bus to Kelvingrove Museum and arrived just in time to see the organ recital. It was really good - the man played traditional organ songs, followed by more well known pieces, like 'Any dream will do' from Joseph, selections from ABBA and Queen etc. There was a camera on his feet - and it was amazing to watch his feet on the pedals - you have to be quite good at multitasking to play the organ, I've decided. As an aside, I quite like old Knight armour, there is something cool about it... not sure I'd want some in my house, however. After that I filled in some more time by sitting on the tour bus and listening to the commentary again, before being tired of it, getting off and sitting on the ground against a big wall to decide on my next plan. The movie option was now out, because I had seen the queue of about 100 people snaking around the corner of the movie theatre - mad. I had wanted to go Jamie Oliver's Italian restaurant, but it was still early and I had read terrible reviews online about it, and didn't feel like more disappointment! So as I was sitting there, on the ground, £1 fell into my lap. I looked up and it seems to me that a passer by thought I was a homeless beggar! I couldn't believe it, so stood up straight away. I took the £1 however, and bought a scatchie. I didn't win. I decided it would be a good idea to just go back to my hotel before dark, pack and write a blog.
I have had a good week by myself now, and have definitely started losing the plot. I knew this when tonight I was washing my hands, looked up into the mirror and proceeded to pull faces at myself. I was then in hysterics at the facials I can pull... I had tears streaming! It is definitely time to be with people again! Tomorrow I head down to Carlisle on the train to stay with Neil and Pam Sanderson, some distant relatives on my Dad's side. I am *really* looking forward to staying with them and having a look around the Lakes District... hooray for Beatrix Potter land!
Until next time...
Cheery bye :)
I was aware that my hotel was 'a short bus ride away' and by 'short', I assumed ten minutes at the most. Wrong. It took 20 minutes by bus, followed by a 5 minute walk. My hotel seemed to be on the outskirts of town - not many shops about, and the ones that were about were run down and the food goods inside were dusty and all looked like they expired years ago. Hmmm. Not a good start.
I got to the door of my hotel and dragged my suitcase up the stairs and said hello to the lady at the desk. She grumbled something I didn't hear very well, so I smiled and said 'Good evening' - she said to me
'Yes - you were supposed to be here yesterday.'
'Um? Was I?? I had it down for arriving on the 18th?'
'Well that's not what our booking says' thrusting a piece of paper with dates scrawled all over it. I pointed out that it said the 18th - 20th on the sheet. She examined it, her face softened, and then she said 'Ooh deary, my mistake. How about I upgrade you to a double room with an ensuite, free of charge. And I'll throw in a breakfast bag each morning too.'
'That sounds amazing, thank you so much.' - thinking to myself - woo hoo!
I went out in the local town in search of a Tesco or a Sainsbury's and after walking for about 20 minutes found a Sainsbury's. I got some snacks for dinner (I'd had a big pub lunch) and walked back to my hotel. I had noticed that Glasgow is dirty. Very dirty. Rubbish sacks piled up outside shops - as if they have not been collected for weeks. And there were groups of men standing on the street, drinking and smoking - and sometimes leering as I walked past which I didn't really like. I held my bag closer to me and quickened my pace but must have been obvious about it, because a guy started laughing and walking beside me, whilst all his mates laughed. I did not see the funny side - and couldn't wait to be back in my hotel room. It was then that I decided seeing Glasgow by night was simply *not* an option!
On Friday, I woke when I woke and lay awake, not overly keen on venturing out in town as I had looked in the few brochures I could find in the rail station and nothing really took my fancy. It was at this point I really wished I stayed in Edinburgh where there were still attractions I wanted to see, and the Fringe Festival was still on. Never mind eh! I finally left my hotel at 10.30am and found my way to the City Centre, Buchanan Street - which is the main shopping drag of Glasgow. It was fairly quiet, and I went into the information centre and found that Glasgow doesn't seem to have many attractions - you need to travel *out* of Glasgow to see anything really worthwhile.
 |
| Buchanan St. 10.30am Friday. |
 |
| Buchanan Street. 4pm Saturday. |
Don't worry - there were highlights. The first was a man who was pretending to be a statue for money (I'm sorry, but really? *That* is your talent? And you want *money* for staying still?? There was a man playing classical guitar who I felt more deserving of the dosh...) and as I was looking at him, a bunch of pigeons landed on him which made me smile, but once they started pecking at his face I lost the plot - I can think of nothing worse than pigeons pecking at my face!! There were also a number of young girls in purple t-shirts who were trying to get money from people to save young girls from being forced into marriage. One girl approached a woman who was walking rather fast, the girl said (in her most sickly sweet voice)
"Good morning, how are you? Can I just take up a minute of your time" to which I overheard the reply;
"No, sorry - I'm in a real hurry" followed by a crash, tumble and some gasps. I looked over my shoulder to see the woman had bailed over and was on the ground. I could not *help* but smile... I'm so evil! But it made my morning.
 |
| Ergh. Sky rat lands on street entertainer... |
 |
| American cars, painted on zebra crossing.... weeeeeee! |
 |
| American signs, traffic lights and street lamps! |
After that, I needed to fill in more of my day, so I bought a ticket for the City Sightseeing bus - £11 for two days of transport around the city, and information about it by a live guide. It was the most boring city sight seeing tour I have *ever* been on... there just isn't anything good to see - very average. I hope I don't offend anyone...perhaps I somehow missed the great things to see in Glasgow?? I understand it is a shopping capital, after Oxford St in London... but not being here to shop - what else is there?! The bus tour was a good way to get around and fill in some time! The most exciting thing I saw on the tour was the film set from up high. Which isn't usually even here. Oh - and Dr. Who's tardis. I saw that too... hehe. Oh! And the statue that has a road cone on the head pretty much all the time. Whenever it is removed, or falls off - it is back up again the next day. In fact it is so popular, it has been in guide books - and if people come to Glasgow and the cone is missing, people get upset. I guess when there isn't anything really cool to see in the town, the townspeople have to make cool things to see.
 |
| On the bus :) |
Saturday I got up at 10am (leisurely, I know) and left the hotel at 11.30am. I caught the bus to Kelvingrove Museum and arrived just in time to see the organ recital. It was really good - the man played traditional organ songs, followed by more well known pieces, like 'Any dream will do' from Joseph, selections from ABBA and Queen etc. There was a camera on his feet - and it was amazing to watch his feet on the pedals - you have to be quite good at multitasking to play the organ, I've decided. As an aside, I quite like old Knight armour, there is something cool about it... not sure I'd want some in my house, however. After that I filled in some more time by sitting on the tour bus and listening to the commentary again, before being tired of it, getting off and sitting on the ground against a big wall to decide on my next plan. The movie option was now out, because I had seen the queue of about 100 people snaking around the corner of the movie theatre - mad. I had wanted to go Jamie Oliver's Italian restaurant, but it was still early and I had read terrible reviews online about it, and didn't feel like more disappointment! So as I was sitting there, on the ground, £1 fell into my lap. I looked up and it seems to me that a passer by thought I was a homeless beggar! I couldn't believe it, so stood up straight away. I took the £1 however, and bought a scatchie. I didn't win. I decided it would be a good idea to just go back to my hotel before dark, pack and write a blog.
 |
| Where is *my* Knight in shining armour??! |
Until next time...
Cheery bye :)
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