Up until this point my flatemate has been excessively generous and eager to go with me to all kinds of cultural events. Now, he is of course still generous and goes along with me to these events. But, being the sport enthusiast that he is, decided it was high time I was drug to a sporting event. Therefore, a pair of Celtic football (soccer) tickets were purchased. I believe he was slightly disappointed when I was overly excited about this. I probably should have spent the week moping about the flat, bemoaning the fact that he is such a terrible person to take me to such a "guy thing." Instead, I spent the entire week proclaiming my knowledge of football....because I know what "offsides" means! I learned that I may not know this particular part of the game as well as originally thought.
It was decided that the best way to get to the match was to take a taxi. Celtic park is unfortunately in the middle of nowhere and is not easily accesible by the subway system or buses. As discussed in previous blog entries, there is a fierce rivalry between the Celtic and the Rangers. Because of this my flatmate was very concerned as to what we should wear and how we should present ourselves at the game. His worries, however, were put to rest when he had a break through decision. The decision was spelled out to me a little like this....
Flatmate: I figured out our Celtic problem.
Me: We have a Celtic problem?
Flatmate: You're Catholic! So you can be our cover.. you can talk to them about your first communion!
Me: I really don't think it's going to be that big of a problem, but okay... what about you?
Flatmate: Maybe I can pretend to be Catholic.. I should make up which church I go to.. what about.. it should probably be Saint something, right?
Me: That would probably be a good start.
Flatmate: Saint.... St. Patrick! That's a good one. I'm sure there is a St. Patricks around here.
Me: So you're going to tell the Celtic fans that you go to St. Patricks?
Flatmate: If necessary. Why don't we ask Stuart to go with us for protection?
Me: Stuart likes the Rangers
Flatmate: Ask him to convert... just for this one game!
**After a phone call to Stuart it was decided that we would be safe on our own. Apparently, the Celtic aren't as scary as the Rangers. We would need protection at the Rangers game, perhaps, but not the Celtic game.
Dressed in green (subtlely, we wanted to blend in but not offend any Rangers fans on our way!) and armed with the St. Patrick's Parish story, we made our way to the football park. And, of course, it was raining! A little rain has never derailed a Scottish football match. Unfortunately, the game got off to a bit of a tragic start with the French scoring within the first two minutes. The Celtic turned it around and ended up winning 3-1. We didn't have to use our St. Patrick's story and we learned some of the cheers but I will say this, I was very disappointed that I didn't have a Celtic scarf and didn't know the words to all the chants and songs.
Please forgive the somewhat terrible pictures... The game was at night and in the rain and some of these are from a cellphone!
Oh, did I mention we had amazing seats!
If I had a Celtic scarf I could have held it up during the Celtic song!
After the match we decided it was best just to walk the two miles to city centre and catch the subway rather than wait and pay for a taxi. As we made our way into city centre we discovered that.. Christmas has come to Glasgow!!!
I have learned there are two main things one must learn while living in the city, in Scotland. One: Be prepared. Have all possible necessary items with you. These may include.. an umbrella, a jacket, a coat, an extra pair of tights, a snack, shampoo, super glue (Okay, not really all these things.. but you get the point be prepared!). Two: Learn how to juggle lots of items. These items may include: A jacket, a purse, groceries, cell phone, subway tickets, etc.
I will readily admit I am still in the process of learning all these things. And, that is why, I often forget things or feel wholly unprepared. Saturday morning I made my way to Montgomery's Cafe for the ritual Saturday morning cup of coffee.
---Montgomery's Cafe has been teasing me week after week with the delicious sounding "Chocolate Orange Cappuccino" displayed promiently on their specials board. Yet, every week when I ask for this amazing beverage they are somehow out. Now, back to the story.
Seeing as I was planning on only going out for coffee I wore only a sweater, jeans and flats (I promise this will be important later!). As my coffee date and I ventured our separate ways I was suddenly making plans to meet Stuart in City Centre for Mexican food, well Mexican food of course turned into a meal and then a drink and then a few rounds of a pub quiz game. Suddenly, it was nearing five when I was supposed to be meeting friends for Guy Fawkes Day... supposed to be meeting friends to watch fireworks, in a muddy park, after dark, on a cold Scottish November evening... with no coat and flats. Fortunately, my trusty flat mate was joining the evening's festivities and brought not only himself but my coat down to city centre.
We slowly made our way to Glasgow Green being distracted a couple times. First, by Starbucks where it was decided that a warm beverage would make the evening's festivities much better and then the American Candy Store. Yes, there is an American Candy Store in Glasgow! While it was fun to wander through the store I fortunately escaped with nothing in tow. The South African had his first Root Beer and Blow Pop thanks to that store. Apparently, Root Beer tastes like Deep Heat... hmmm.
As we neared Glasgow Green it became apparent that this wasn't just a fireworks display. It was a fireworks display and a carnival! Glasgow green was lined with food vendors and carnival rides. We met up with Megan, Sophie and a few others from the girls' program (Forensic Toxicology). They immediately took us to watch"The most ridiculous, dangerous carnvial ride ever." Together we made our way to "Move It!" a large, , fairly tame looking ride. The ride started and it became very apparent that there were no seatbelts, no lap bars and in fact no seats, just benches. The ride began to spin, then tip, then spin faster. Then the ride slowed down a bit and as it slowed it began to bounce. As the ride bounced so did everyone on board. The bouncing got more intense, so intense that some people fell off their seats and into the middle of the ride. Then the ride began spinning again, faster this time. Some poor people still sprawled in the center of the spinning ride were unable to return to their seats, all the while a crazy ride DJ yelled "ALL THE SEXY LADIES PUT YOUR HANDS IN THE AIRRRRR!" We stood with our mouths agape as the ride finally began to slow down, the wreckage in the middle of the ride sliding back into their seats, and finally everyone staggering slowly down the steps from the ride. Then, an individual from our group, some wildly insane, probably crazy person looked at the ride, looked at our group then shouted "WE HAVE TO DO THIS!"... Okay, yes that person was me! And, we paid the money and we rode "Move It!" No one in our group fell off the seats, although I will say my arm was almost broken by holding on so tightly to the rail. Richard flew so far into the air that I was pretty sure he was going to flip over the side of the ride.. instead he landed in my lap. Sophie's and Richard's feet both scrapped over mine leaving my flat clad feet a muddied mess. The ride went on for seemingly ever and it was incredibly difficult to walk in a straight line upon exiting.. it was so worth it!
After the Carnival ride it was time for the Fireworks. All of this was in celebration of Guy Fawkes Day. Guy Fawkes and a group of conspirators came together on the fifth of November in 1604 to try and assassinate King James by blowing up parliament using gun powder. The plot ultimately failed and Guy Fawkes was executed (He was actually meant to be executed but he jumped from the Gallows breaking his own neck). The original celebration of Guy Fawkes Night began in 1605 when the English were encouraged to celebrate the King's escape from assassination by lighting bonfires. The celebration has continued and grown into the massive events they are today. Glasgow had a really nice firework display and Glasgow Green was absolutely filled with people. Like any holiday there are definite supporters of the Holiday and those who could really do without. I, personally, enjoyed the fireworks display and did not find them to be a "burning money display"..
A large focus of this week was preparing for a very busy, upcoming school week. In this upcoming week I must give a presentation, to be turned in with a paper, and an essay. Much of the week was spent working on these assignments and was certainly not made any easier when I received numerous invitations to do things far more fun and exciting than essay writing. I never thought that I would receive a text that said "Hey, I'm going to Edinburgh want to ride along" and my response would say "Normally, I would love to but I have to finish this essay".. thanks a lot Master's Degree!
Scotslish- Tea: In addition to meaning the tasty stuff you drink also means dinner.
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