Monday, February 14, 2011

Off to the land of Haggis and Kilts....

This weekend, I ventured to the land that my mother's father's family came from... Scotland! Specifically, I went to Glasgow. My friend Silvana has been studying there since the beginning of the school year, so it was not only a great excuse to see the city, but also to catch up with an old friend!

My adventure started on Saturday morning. At 4am. Because the airport was 1 hour outside London Proper, I had to take a tube, bus, AND train, just to get to my plane! However, everything was running on time and once I got to the airport I was checked in and finished with security in less than 30 minutes. After less than 50 minutes being airborne, I saw my first view of Scotland:

And just like that, we began our descent. After seeing a couple wind-farms on the way, we touched down at Glasgow Prestwick Airport, which is 1 hour by train from Glasgow. I still can not get over that I was in a different COUNTRY in that short amount of time! I love Europe!

Upon my arrival to Glasgow Central Station, I was greeted by the LOVELY Silvana! After the stereotypical scream/run/hug greeting frequently seen in movies, we made our way from the station towards Silvana's flat. We headed up Sauchiehall, one of the major shopping areas in Glasgow, and then past Kelvingrove Park, which Silvana's flat is near.

Along the way, I found out an important fact. Kilts are not just used for ceremony. People actually wear them on a day to day basis here. I saw soooo many men (young and old) wearing them! And they can cost over £600 for a good one. These people are legit.

After dropping off my bags we wasted no time- it was time to explore! The sun was out and it was relatively warm! This had to be taken advantage of.

First, we headed to Silvana's school, which looks like a castle. I would like to say Hogwarts. It is absolutely gorgeous! Because I lack descriptive writing skills, I'll just post some pictures here:

Some amazing views of The University of Glasgow

To read Silvana's blog about her life there, follow this link!
http://silvanarose.wordpress.com/



After getting a small tour, we continued on to Ashton Lane which was a cute little lane lined with pubs and small restaurants. Continuing on, Silvana led us to the Botanical Gardens. Not only did we get to see "Killer Plants" aka VENUS FLYTRAPS (!!!) but we also got to see basically every exotic plant that should never be in Scotland. The greenhouses were a humid 75 degrees Fahrenheit, so it was kinda like a mini tropical vacation. With coats. And boots. And jeans.

Silvana among the Amazonian flora

After viewing all the plants the Botanical Gardens had to offer, we returned to Ashton Lane and went into "Ketchup", a gourmet burger joint. Reading the menu is a daunting task- everything looks delicious, and you can only pick one! An easy burger to rule out? The one that costs £19. I set my sights on "The Italian Job"- a chicken burger topped with a fried mozzarella wheel, sauteed sweet peppers and onions, garlic anoli, Parmesan cheese, and a rich napoli sauce. Let's just say, I inhaled it.

Feeling re-energized, we continued exploring. We basically just wandered about Glasgow. Among the more interesting sites were a church that was turned into an apartment complex, a fake church tower ATTACHED to an apartment complex, and an Aztec "Pyramid" in a playground that was erected to show "Glasgow's status as a European City of Culture".

Eventually, we found our way back to Sauchiehall, and continued to Merchant City, which is pictured below. It was gorgeous! We then went to St. George's Square, and got to see City Hall. If you know me at all, I am obsessed with City Halls because they usually have some of the most impressive architecture. Glasgow's City Hall was gorgeous- especially at night.

Inside Merchant city, looking at the back of the Glasgow Museum of Art

Standing in St. George's Square, looking at City Hall

Next, it was time to find food again. We finally decided on going to the Islay Inn, which was close to Silvana's flat. It was here that I first tasted Haggis.

According to Wikipedia (such a great source...) Haggis is "a dish containing sheep's 'pluck' (heart, liver and lungs), mincd with onion, oatmeal, suet, spices, and salt, mixed with stock, and traditionally simmered in the animal's stomach for approximately three hours."

Yeah, I ate that. Actually, what I had to eat was "Haggis, Neeps, and Tatties". Let me translate that: Haggis (definition above, please read for full affect again), Mashed Turnips, and Mashed Potatoes.

Let me say this- if you are to have haggis in the future, and are wondering what it was made of again, don't look it up! It will only scare you. Instead, embrace the new food with open arms. Do not question the contents. Because you will find that this traditional Scottish dish is absolutely delicious! Seriously. I loved it. Look how fricken happy I am here:

Me and my Haggis, Neeps, and Tatties. I ate every little bit.

Granted, I had not tasted it yet. HOWEVER, I did have more haggis on Sunday. So that shows you- I really liked it!

Now Silvana had found out that this particular pub was having a band come by at 9pm to play traditional Scottish music. When we arrived at 8pm, Silvana and I noticed that the pub was not crowded for a Saturday night. Except for a large group of guys taking over a couple tables. It turned out to be a Stag (Bachelor) Party.

How did we know, you ask? Well, it could have been the large group of 30-something males, drinking a TON! Or the fact that they kept toasting this one particular guy.

...who happened to be in a fake kilt. And wearing a fake red beard, and a red wig. With a Scottish cap.

...and a 4 foot long, stuffed penis hanging down from his kilt.

I kid you not. This was legit. He and his friends drunkenly paraded around the pub all night, going up to tables with old couples at it, rubbing the penis and giggling. And you know what? The grannies got a kick out of it! Some even touched the stuffed member.

How many people can say they have seen this in their life? Not many. Not only was this experience scarring, but it was absolutely hilarious!

Soon the band started playing their traditional Scottish music, and people were pouring in a started dancing. Eventually, the band started playing covers of Johnny Cash songs- so we decided to leave. By the time we left the pub, it was around 10:45pm, and I had been up for almost 19 hours. But my night was not done. It was time.

Time to try IRN BRU. This popular Scottish soda outsells Coke in Scotland. It is orange in color, and if cotton candy and bubble gum got together and had a love child, IRN BRU would be the product. My friend Jess says she refuses to drink it because it is made of dead ginger children. That gave me a laugh! Regardless, Silvana and I headed to Tesco, and then brought our cans back to her flat.

Now you need to understand. This stuff is horrible for you. 1/3 of a can has 38% of your daily sugar intake. I had one at 11pm. And guess what? I was soooo tired, I fell asleep at midnight. Yeah. THAT is how tired I was! However, it was definitely yummy, and I think that when Adam gets here at 5:30am on March 5th, I am going to have to get him one to keep him awake for the day.

On Sunday, Silvana and I woke up to rain. Disappointed, but not deterred, we ventured to Montgomery's, a cafe close to her flat and across from Islay Inn, for some breakfast. I ended up getting a coconut cappuccino (made with coconut flavored milk) and Pear & Toffee Waffles. Words can not describe the deliciousness of this dish. Just look at the picture:

Drool-worthy waffles topped with warm pears and drizzled with warm toffee

After an amazing breakfast, we went to the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. By now the rain had stopped. This museum had everything. Literally. And everything was placed sporadically throughout the museum. See the example below:

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

Which object does NOT belong in the "Natural History" exhibit? Hmmm?

All joking aside, we had a blast perusing the collection, and making offerings to the Egyptian gods in honor of some random dude that had a sarcophagus in the room. Yes, the museum was THAT interactive.

After finishing the Museum, we decided to head to Glasgow Cathedral, on the other side of the city. It was on our walk that we discovered many interesting shops and businesses. Mostly to do with kilts.

The kilts... THEY'RE EVERYWHERE!


Before heading to the Cathedral, we stopped in The 13th Note for some awesome Organic/Vegetarian/Vegan options. We decided on the Falafel wraps, and I got some hummus to go with it. It was amazing. Again. Yes. 43 days and going strong.

My Falafel Wrap with my side of hummus. Which was consumed. Using one half of the wrap.
...I have a problem.


After filling ourselves up with delicious cuisine, we headed back out to the Cathedral. This Cathedral was left relatively intact throughout the Reformation, and is said to house the body of St. Mungo. We got there 15 minutes before it closed, so we quickly toured the inside, and then headed to the Necropolis. We spent a decent amount of time there. The Necropolis is located on one of the highest hills in Glasgow, and from the top you can see the entire city, and the countryside beyond. Check out my Facebook to see the pictures- they came out pretty well! It was really cool to see such old and ornate graves!

... Except for the one that had a gate on it with a sign saying "DANGER: Do not enter". I approached it to joke around, and all of a sudden a pigeon flew out and scared me to DEATH! (Almost) At least it gave Sil a good laugh...


Glasgow Cathedral from half-way up the Necropolis

View when walking toward the Necropolis... you do NOT want to get stuck here at night.
(There are big iron gates surrounding the site, and the graves are uber old and freaky!)


Starting to feel the cold on the top of the hill, we ventured down and decided to get ice cream for dinner near Silvana's flat. So off to the other side of the city we went. Then we came upon this speed limit sign. Yet another reason why I love the UK...

After getting some delicious ice cream at 3 Steps 2 Heaven, Silvana told me about this place she goes (also near her dorm) where you can get fried pizza. Yes. Fried. Pizza.

...Guess what dessert was!

I even got haggis! (TOLD YOU!) And guess what? That was fried too.

I was skeptical. Especially when the lady at the counter asked me if I wanted salt and vinegar on my fried haggis and pizza. Following Silvana's lead, I accepted the offer.

Who knew that something that sounds SO gross and is SO bad for your health could be SO GOOD! Seriously. You can't knock it till you try it. And you will find yourself craving it once you have had it. All you need is a microwavable pizza that is heated up, and then you drop it in a deep fryer. Easy. And delicious. How has the US not come up with this yet?

My fried Haggis and Pizza- covered in malt vinegar and salt. Surprisingly delicious. And obviously the food of champion triathlon athletes. Like me. Or at least, it will be.

Being late, Silvana and I stayed in and watched many YouTube videos of British comedians in order to pass the time, and then headed to bed since I had to be up at 7am in order to catch the 8:30am train to the airport.

And just like that, it was Monday. Why do these days go by so fast? After bidding my friend adieu and thanking her for a marvelous time (she is the BEST tour guide!!!) I took a cab to the station, that way Silvana wouldn't have to get up and walk over 2 miles at 8 in the morning.

It was then that I realized that Scottish accents- especially Glasgownian ones- are nearly IMPOSSIBLE for me to understand. I felt so bad. He kept trying to strike up conversation, but I could barely understand a word. He realized that I am a kinda shy person, and then said "I hate silence, I like talking. Mind if I tell you about my life?"

The next 20 minutes stuck in traffic were highly entertaining. It turns out he used to be an engineer, and his son went to The University of Glasgow. He said he was getting too old (and bored) for his work, so he quit, took a year off with his wife, and explored Greece and the Mediterranean. Then he needed a source of income, so he decided, "Hey! Might as well drive a Taxi!" Logical....

After asking whether I just wanted him to drive me to the airport in Prestwick so he could finish his story, I politely declined. My train fare would only be £3.35, whereas this taxi fare for a journey that was only 1.3 miles was £5.40. And it was a 50 minute ride to the airport. He laughed and said he understood, and then offered to give me the fare for only £5. I gave him £6 because otherwise I would have felt bad. No tip AND coming up short on the fare? No way! He was so grateful, he told me to wait in the cab. He then stepped out, opened the door for me, and asked for my bag. I told him I could manage my small carry-on bag, and he shushed me and insisted. He grabbed my bag, closed the door, and walked me to the train station. After reaching the station, he placed my bag down, and wished me well. As he walked away, he shouted out, "O! And a Happy Valentine's to ya!"

I LOVE SCOTLAND AND IT'S FRIENDLY PEOPLE!

After a pleasant ride back to the airport through the countryside, I got some last pictures of the country and the Scottish coastline. My camera doesn't do it justice.


And just like that, my trip was done. I got to the airport so early, I enjoyed a traditional English breakfast AND a cup of porridge, and then boarded the plane to London!

What a lovely country. I definitely want to go back and explore more- especially the countryside. Seriously, why did my ancestors ever leave Europe for the US? I am seriously questioning their judgment. Can I moved here?

Again, a special thank you to my friend Silvana! If it wasn't for her guidance and hospitality, I would have never seen everything I did, or had such a good time! So a million thanks! (Cheers!)

Until next time, ta!

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