Glasgow: Day 2

I can't believe I've only been here for two days. We've seen so much of Glasgow already that we've decided to venture out on a day trip on Day 3. But first, the recap on Day 2...

I was awoken before 5am by some Frenchmen staying in the same room. Two of the German guys (Bastian and Mattias) and I were unable to go back to sleep, so we all decided to head out into town. They had to leave anyway, for Belfast, in the early morning, but certainly not that early. We walked down to George Square, where they shared some breakfast sandwiches (cold cuts, normal for a German breakfast) and I treated us all to Starbucks (typical American move, but no other coffee shop was open nearby and they had a bus to catch shortly). After farewells and the possibility of meeting again in Munich, I stayed at Starbucks until Joanie joined me and then we began exploring more of the east side of town, called Merchant City. We visited the Glasgow Cathedral and learned a bit about its history; how the glass windows have all but been replaced, and how it used to be a Catholic church before John Knox had it converted to a Protestant church; and how the patron saint and founder of Glasgow (St Mungo) lies in a tomb beneath the church (which we saw as well).

We then headed for the Necropolis, where John Knox is honored, and where numerous other great Scots are laid to rest. The view from the top was quite beautiful, and Joanie and I even enjoyed an impromptu dance party listening to Michael Jackson's Thriller, courtesy of her smartphone. :D

After a bite to eat at an authentic Irish pub with loads of great Irish fare and another Tennents, we explored a bit more of town before returning to the hostel. Shortly thereafter, Jordan arrived--despite numerous plane delays.

The three of us and Max tried to go out to the West End, but the rain was pouring down so heavily that we had little choice but to return to the hostel. After drying our wet clothes in the dryer, Jordan and I went to Ubiquitous Chip on Ashton Lane in the West End to grab a late dinner, and were joined by Joanie soon thereafter (she had gone for a bite earlier with another new hostel friend of ours). After all trying proper haggis (not deep fried, like the previous night at Chippy's, though that was quite decent as well), we decided that this American-scaring Scottish dish wasn't nearly as intimidating as we had originally thought before visiting (all of us our first time to Scotland). Especially when enjoyed with a locally brewed St Mungo's beer.

The city, it's food and drink, and it's people are beginning to grow on me. One more full day staying in Glasgow before we head to our second hostel in Edinburgh, and get to see what all the fuss is about regarding the Fringe Festival. Two days down, and already so much has happened! The photos continue to pour in...