Glasgow

I'm glad I followed my instincts to Glasgow. It's everything I wanted it to be. Once the layers of grit and gloom are peeled back, so much raw beauty is revealed here. This being said, you would assume that my transition to Glasgow was smooth sailing. It was nothing but. My first two nights here were hell. I stayed at the dodgiest, darkest, smelliest hostel ever and got eaten alive by bed bugs. I even went to emergency paranoid that a bug crawled in my ear...nothing was found. As soon as I saw the trail of bites along my limbs I checked into another hostel across the street with a much cleaner and friendlier atmosphere. But damn it, my new critter friends came along to feast on me during nights 3, 4 and 5. As grossed out as I was, there wasn't much I could do but bundle up at night and try to sleep with my mouth closed and my eyes open. Yeah, I'm exhausted.

I refused to let my night time visitors taint my first impression of Scotland . I had a fantastic time getting to know Glasgow by taking candid photographs, visiting the sites, being among other fellow travellers, working at my new job at the cafe and boogieing to sounds of the local D.J.'s. The night photo (above) is of Mitchell Library where I have a new membership and have made good use its free Wi-Fi. The photo of the father/son sporting kilts was in Botanical Gardens where a wedding was being held. At Kelvingrove's Museum and Art Gallery I photographed the floating heads which represented an exhibit titled, "Expressions." Finally, the photo of myself is on Byres Road in the West End which is known for good shopping and food.

Something else I've been involved with is the local basketball. An email of basketball clubs in Scotland was sent to me. I ended up training with group a few miles outside of the city. I didn't know a lot about it, but I had a ton of fun and was impressed with the ladies' skillz. The second time I went out to train with them I was surprised to discover it was the Scottish Senior Women's National Basketball Team that I was practising with! Yeah right!? They invited me to join and we have our first game this Friday night. We practise once or twice a week and have a game every weekend either at home in Glasgow or elsewhere in Scotland.

Some more good news is that I found a single room in an amazing flat to rent for 2 or 3 months. I posted an advert on a UK website and connected with a young Irish couple. I viewed the flat this morning. It is situated across from Kelvingrove Park which is between the West End (Glasgow University) and the City Centre. The flat is modern, newly renovated with high ceilings and massive windows. And the price is right =-0 It works out well because while they're in Ireland visiting family over the holidays, my brother is coming to visit me! Can't wait!!!

Since these bed bugs have been so persistent with me I will return the favour in my attempts to get rid of them. I'm spending the day at the laundry mat washing ALL my gear. The last thing I want to do is infest this couple's lovely home with these unwanted guests.

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