The first night in Glasgow the boys took us to a deeeelicious Italian restaurant, because who can have enough ITALIAN FOOD IN YOUR LIFE!? After that, we simply went around town going in and out of the little establishments down the “lane”. Yes, because Scotland has to be cute & quant in all it does; the lane that everything was located on looked like a little cobblestoned alleyway that had strings of lights hung from roof to roof. Martyn Elizabeth: the first place we went to was called “Radio” & was a lounge of sorts with cassette tapes lining the walls, band albums, chalkboard walls, & couches spread throughout its close quartered floor. Basically, it was made for you. So, if we make it to Glasgow, I will be sure to take you there while you shed one solo tear of happiness, because you have found home. <3

Skipping ahead, the next day was spent trekking it around Glasgow. Because walking is just the natural way one gets around any country but America, we walked miles & miles without really noticing. Walking everywhere is becoming purely natural to Erin and I, so along with assimilation we are now getting more fit with every excursion, without even being aware of it. Thank you Scotland. Our first destination: The University of Glasgow (The Uni) which is located on the top of the tallest hill that overlooks all of Glasgow. Simply put: I have finally found the place I am getting married, groom or no groom.

Just seeing both the view atop the hill, and the interior of the University courtyard, my wedding decision was made. I am not going to try to explain this place because I am positive I will merely detract from it with my injustice. This is simply the most breathtaking and perfect place I have witnessed thus far in Scotland. -In threat of belittling the beauty of it, but in attempts at giving some point of reference- The interior looks like a mini version of Hogwarts. Once again: pictures are more sufficient than words, but do not accurately depict the true essence of the place. Check out Erin’s facebook album to try and get a feeling for what I am ultimately failing at describing. Basically, I have the location, now least importantly, where is the Groom? With the gain of universal health care, a gorgeous wedding destination & dual citizenship, I see no negative side to this newly formed plan.

After planning my “I do’s”, we walked to the richest & “most posh” part of Glasgow and conveniently located a wedding party just leaving the church. Yes, this means nearly a dozen men all clad in different colored kilts (socks, pouches, daggers, harry legs and ALL!) After spotting a bagpipe within the party, I feel that our Scotland trip has now officially ben a successful one and if need-be, I would leave Scotland tomorrow happy and content. (Progression of things: Walk. Walk. Walk. Picture. Picture. Walk.) We spend the rest of the day in the center of Glasgow shopping and picture-taking. I fell in love with the center of Glasgow because I believe it is what Detroit should be, or once was. There is shopping, stores, café’s, PEOPLE! All of which Detroit has lost and therefore now lacks.

After a home-cooked meal by Mrs. Hannah herself, we attempted to hit the town and their notorious and numerable Glasgow clubs. But, due to the combination of one tough looking Scott, our “wee” young-looking faces, and the self-empowered bouncers with their refusal to even glance at my ID (thus proving my actual and beyond legal age), we were denied from 5 individual clubs. We ended up spending the end of our night at the only establishment that admitted all four of us, a calm jazz (of sorts) club. It is all in the experience and the company you are in, so there are no complaints here on how the night ended up (:

The rest of the Glasgow weekend was spent at Glasgow’s art museum which rendered my newfound love for Salvador Dali and his painting “St John on the Cross”. The painting is conveniently on lend to a museum in Atlanta, Georgia, but they have a photo in its place that spawned this newfound love for the drug-inspired artist. If you have not seen this painting, I beg you to google it now. Just do it.

Since our departure from bustling Glasgow and arrival back in quiet & small town St. Andrews ,the week has been full of Scottish professors, reading assignments, and time spent in adorable coffee shops. Just sitting in a coffee shop with a book and an open ear is such an amazing and perspective creating experience! You witness different langauges, different conversations, different lives all from behind one delicious coffee cup. Being a sociology major and lover of creepily people watching, that afternoon is what I would dare to describe as a perfect way of passing my time.

I will not bore you with the details of my week spent in quiet St. Andrews, but merely to inflate my own self-esteem I will congratulate myself by letting you guys know that I FINALLY got up and went for a run around St. Andrews! Always knowing that it is the best way of experiencing the city in great quantities, Erin and I ran the coastline on the Scores and despite the pain I feel now, the day after, our next goal is to run the gorgeous beach right outside of my window.

Wish us luck and instant-coffee-induced-inspiration!