Day 15: Playing natives

The day started characteristically grey but dry.  We actually saw the morning because the bevy last night was actually pretty tame and there were none of the epic hangovers of years past.  Breakfast was light – fruit smoothies, coffee, and toast – because today’s adventure would be centered around food.  We were headed into Glasgow for the Big Feed – an indoor food truck/drinking/music event.

Hopping on the 11am train, we found ourselves in the center of Glasgow well before noon which was a little early for the Big Feed.  So we decided to get some culture and hopped on the subway to the Kelvingrove Gallery and Museum where we perused several galleries of art including the famous Christ of Saint John of the Cross painting by Salvador Dali.  There were also French and Dutch works and an entire gallery of Scotland’s identity explored through art with depictions of Robert the Bruce, Robbie Burns, and lots of exhibits on tartan.  There was even an organ recital while we were there so it was a well rounded cultural experience.  And it left us hungry.

Travel tip #31: support the local museums.  Kelvingrove charges no admission but does take donations so we decided that the pockets full of change that we had – some of which were pound coins – would be better used by them than by us.

Then back to the subway and out to Govan, exiting the station at Ibrox, famous home of the Glasgow Rangers football team which none of us support.  We wandered through some warehouses before finding the one that had been kitted up for the event.  A dozen street food vendors lined the walls of the warehouse with tables in the middle.  There was a full bar, a small music stage, a doggie buffet for the pets and face painting and balloon animals for the kids.  It’s actually a fabulous idea and a great way to spend a cool Saturday afternoon. We indulged in sweet potato curry, many plates of chips with various sauces and a variety of dishes involving duck.  And a few pints to wash it down.  For several hours we chatted and ate and listened to the solo female guitarist play an incredible range of music from Johnny Cash to Walk the Moon.

Thus suitably overfed and well watered, we wandered back through town for more adventures.  Instead of availing ourselves of the subway again, we walked back past the Kelvingrove and headed to Ashton Lane, a stupidly adorable cobbled street on the west side with bars and restaurants.  We enjoyed a sojourn at a fancy gin bar where we were occasionally entertained by silliness occurring in the street outside. Then we moved on again, back to the center of town where apparently it was time to eat again.  We opted for mezze at a middle eastern restaurant thinking that the smaller plates would mean that we wouldn’t over eat.  Well that plan went far asunder as there was way too much food (and more drink) and then it was time to shuffle back through the rain to the train for home.

You know you are getting old when you are leaving Glasgow at the time that most young people were just arriving for their Saturday night out.  You also know you are getting old when you are utterly appalled at their choice of attire!  There were gaggles of young women emerging from the train station, tottering on spikey heels in strappy dresses that barely covered their privates.  And they were heading out into the cold Scottish rain where I know their artfully applied (pounds of) face makeup would not survive and they would shiver and be miserable.

Travel tip #32: dress for the weather, not for the fashion. (Credit: my auntie Alice)

And now my transition to being my mother is complete.  Just bring me a cup of tea and come visit on Sundays.

Once safely and warmly ensconced back at the homestead, we consumed a little more wine while continuing to explore topics of serious national interest: buskers and other street performers, gender versus sex, cigarette vs marijuana, snus and premier league football, among others.

Dubious data for today:
16,337 steps and 15 floors.
Calories consumed: 1000000000
Train/subway rides: 5
Nuns: 0