Exploring the city, going to church and screaming in pubs

Your average weekend here in Glasgow ;)

Even though I only have class twice a week, I still find myself doing the most interesting things in weekends. Like last weekend, which started with going to the city centre with Jenny and Allison.

Walking down Buchanan street is always a special experience, since it seems to be crowded all the time. This Saturay it was different though. An extreme amount of guys in kilts carrying Scottish flags walking around and singing....that can mean only two things: either the Scots got their independence back ór there is a football game on.

The last option seemed to be the case. Turns out Scotland would be playing the Norwegians that afternoon (hence the other groups of red/white guys dressed as vikings in the streets).

So after visiting the Lighthouse (Mackintosh/architecture museum, with a great view over the city centre) and having lunch at the Pasta Hut (yes...that used to be the Pizza Hut...they're changing the name for a healtier image, weird) I went back to the West end to watch the game at Curlers with some international friends and two Scottish guys. The only girls there being Dutch and German :).

It was hilarious. The pub was crammed and excited. With everyone getting into the game you can't help screaming when something goes wrong (again). That was a frustrating game...lots of opportunities, 0-0 outcome...

I'm definitely rooting for Scotland in this qualification round. Except ofcourse when they're playing the Dutch team, which will happen since they're in the same group. I don't know if I'll dare wearing my orange hat to the pub though...

On Sunday Annemieke and Duncan invited me to the annual service at Glasgow Cathedral honoring the Trades House (http://www.tradeshouse.org.uk/) of which they are both former Deacons. It was a great opportunity to see the upper eschelons of this city's high class operating in their natural habitat ;-) Picture men with huge golden chains processing towards the Cathedral altar to take a seat just in front of their 'Trades Ladies' in Sunday dress wearing hats and medals stating their husbands (former)status within the Trades House.

It was great. Since Annemieke was the first woman ánd the first 'foreigner' to ever be a Trades Deacon and Duncan being the former Deacon of all Trades I was in very good hands. I was introduced to almost everyone including the Lord and Lady Provost (the cities mayor) who are driven around in a Jag and constantly followed by a bodyguard whose sole purpose is to protect the chains they both wear. Good times!

After the service we went out for lunch to a very nice Italian restaurant with about 15 other fancy people. I ended up meeting a really friendly scottish girl my age. She offered to take me to Stirling some time, which should be great fun.

When meeting 'high class' people in Holland they tend to be/act stuck up and arrogant sometimes. All of the people I met that Sunday were genuinely friendly and interested and comfortable with their 'high' status. I know this might sound strange...but most of them have been in this privileged position since they were born, and many generations of their family before them. Hierarchical structures mostly based on status or family history like the Trades Houses don't feel awkward or stuck up. And they actually do great work for charity next to all of these fancy lunches/dinners/dances. Then wearing a kilt, morning coat and golden chain to church on Sunday is not weird at all. :)

Good times. I hope Annemieke will invite me to a dance or something sometime this year :)