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.

Stay Posted

xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Some Mo' Soul Searching

First off, Happy 30th birthday to my brother Jeff! This year has been huge for you. I hope all your dreams come true on your special day, cause it all goes to shit after this...just kidding ;) On Nov 5th I participated in UK's annual Guy Fawkes Night (photo of 4 bundled up bunnies.) It is a night of fireworks and bonfires throughout the UK to commemorate the Gunpowder Plot in 1605 when some Catholic peeps including Guy Fawkes attempted to blow up the House of Parliament in London. The bonfire was massive and very mesmerizing (photo.) The fireworks were so close that I could smell the burn and feel falling ashes on my face, much different than viewing fireworks from a barge like Vancouver's Symphony of Fire.
Another celebration I was happy to partake in was Halloween. The act of dressing up in costumes and getting hammered is emerging in its popularity among UK adults. I decided that it was only fitting to dress up as Amy Whinehouse. My housemates and I went to a house party (photo) then ventured to a nearby pub. Good times! The final photo is of a vibrantly coloured tree in front of Chester's Cathedral on an autumn day.

While enduring all this fun I've also had my knickers tied up over indecision. Arriving in the UK with a chicken scratch agenda is liberating but at the same time overwhelming. It's like starting a paper without a topic. The opportunity to travel and do it solo is rare so I want to make it count. Over the past few weeks I've asked myself what do I want? What kind of experiences do I hope to have? I've applied these questions not only onto the upcoming year but onto life itself. Making choices without any distraction or influences from other people is pretty cool and the sense of self-reliance is huge. In time one answer revealed itself to me, Scotland baby! I recently gave two weeks notice at the cafe and on November 17th I am taking the train to Glasgow to live. I have never been there before but I know in my heart of hearts there is something for me. I look forward to networking in a big city and what I'll discover in terms of Glasgow's employment & volunteer opportunities, accommodation, people, sports and the arts. I will update with news as it comes hither.

Thinking of you often. xo
PS. Woot Woot Obama!