Glasgow

So I made it to Glasgow last night around 8:30. Just coming in on the train was beautiful. The city lights up, including all the bridges over the River Clyde. After getting mildly lost wandering around the train station, I finally got pointed the right direction and managed to find my hostel. And let me just say, if this is how Scotland is, I love it. The people are nice. The city is gorgeous. It's by far my favorite city so far.
It is true what they say though, to see the real beauty of the city, you must be constantly looking upward. Almost every building is old with beautiful statues and carvings all over. It's really quite incredible.
I started out the day walking through the main shopping district. This is after all, the self proclaimed fashion capital of Great Britain. And there were some fabulous shops. Not all Armani and Gucci, though there were those too, but just fabulous small everyday shops. I spent quite some time wandering around there, and I went to the GOMA which was right in the same district. Yes Jen, they call the MOMA the GOMA here, which makes since as they set it up more as a gallery than a museum. I found an information center not long after that and the gal there was super helpful. Not only did she point me to some fabulous free activities, but she also gave me a booklet on Inverness since I head there early tomorrow morning.
I went to the Glasgow Cathedral, which is currently being redone. Much of it is black, from the years still, but its ceilings were a gorgeous wood. As I was leaving I realized the point behind the Cathedral was actually a Necropolis. So I climbed to the top of the hill from where you could turn around and see most of the city. It was beautiful. I went to the post office for stamps too and one of the workers went out of his way to make sure I got cheaper stamps than what I thought I needed from the machine. Everyone is just so friendly here!
I think part of the reason I like the city so much though is it reminds me vaguely of Seattle. Different stores and set up, but similar attitude. Probably helps that its a rather grey day, which some how does the city credit.
My hostel is amazing. I signed up for a 14 bed dorm, ended up in a four and it didn't cost me anything extra. I sort of thought the last hostel was okay, th0ugh not fantastic. But this one puts it to shame. Everything is clean, no funny smells, and the girls I'm bunking with are very nice. Both from New Zealand. The only down side to it is there is no free internet there. But that is a small price to pay, especially since I'm only here for one day. Though I almost wish I was staying here longer now.
I leave for Inverness tomorrow morning at 7. Hopefully that leg will be just as wonderful. And who knows maybe I'll even see Nellie, Nessie's long lost cousin...