Halloween Weekend

So this weekend, Hannah ( a friend from Laurinburg) and her friend MK came to visit me in Glasgow! No, they did not come all the way from NC: Hannah is currently studying abroad in Italy, so she came to London to see MK and they both made the journey north to see me. It turns out that MK is from Chapel Hill (and still a die-hard tarheel) so it was nice to talk about things form home with someone in Scotland who understands...liiikkeee a love for all things James Taylor and why the song Carolina in my Mind is go great, and the 80's dance at cats cradle and study nights in Davis Library (i cringed a little on the last one). But they arrived on Friday afternoon and we made some fantastic chicken fijitas (i was pretty proud of myself). Both Hannah and MK dance at Meredith, so we also discussed our common love of dance, and how jealous hannah and I were at the fact that MK is studying abroad at a conservatory, so she dances all the time.

On Saturday we and a leisurely morning and then I took both of then around the West End to see Glasgow University. We had lunch at a pub on University Avenue where Hannah had her first fish and chips since being in the UK :) I also introduced them to Irn Bru, and surprisingly they both liked it (i think its an acquired taste). Then we joined Iona and her dad for a Partick Thistle game! When we arrived in Glasgow, someone told us that if we were asked if we were either a Rangers fan or a Celtics fan, if we valued our lives, we would say Partick Thistle. It was my first football game in Scotland, and I really glad that Hannah and MK got to experience it too. The game was pretty exciting. I think my favorite part was the three generations of men that were sitting in front of us: there was a 10 year old boy, and 40 something year old dad, and a 60 something year old grandfather, and they were all yelling quite passionately, at everyone: the other team, the partick thistles, and refs, each other. Scots are so passionate about their football. It's awesome.

We had originally planned to go into the city centre for halloween, but a text from iain, who told us he was dressed up as a hula girl, convinced us to go to the QM. We got there at 930, and the queue was outrageous! We waited in line to get in for a hour and a half (after two unsuccessful attempts to jump in line with Iain and Kersley or friends from the dorms behind Queen Margaret). However, it wouldnt be Halloween if I wasnt standing outside in the cold. At least I had on comfortable shoes :) I dressed up as someone from the 80's: off the shoulder shirt, pink undershirt, denim skirt, purple tights, pink leg warmers, my chuck taylors, and bright neon yellow earrings to tie it together! So much fun. Once we finally got inside and properly hydrated ;) we hit the dance floor with my friends form Oban and their friends (four of whom were dressed as haggis!) and the people who live behind us. I think what makes any night out fun is the people you are with. SO even though I was not on Franklin, I was surrounded by good friends and dancing the night away. I couldnt have been happier. (However, after seeing all of my friends pictures from back in NC, i did get a little nostalgic).

We got back from the Union at O dark 30, just in time for Hannah and MK to catch the bus for their early flight. Today has been spent writing a paper that is due tomorrow and recapping fun memories of the night iona and claire, as well as friends from home. I changed my calendar to November today. Where did the time go? I realized today that I spent every weekend in october (except for this one) away from glasgow, so I am looking forward to spending time in this city I call home.

I hope everyone had a great weekend and a happy halloween.
unitl my next adventure,
love
Rach :)

oh. and go phillies.