Glasgow
Early December 2018
This is only a short entry to catalogue our time at Christmas in 2018.
Glasgow slipped slowly into the Christmas spirit. The weather remained fairly mild throughout December and although the Christmas lights went up quickly, the pervasive feeling of Christmas took some time to set in. Everything seemed to click once the Christmas markets were erected in George Square, however. I’m no Grinch, so quickly got into the spirit once the city did - matching Christmas socks, jumper, and all.
Wanting to make sure we were involved in the festivities, we made a point to go to our very first Christmas pantomime. Not coming from an acting family, I wasn’t really exposed to theatre, and certainly not exposed to pantomime, so I was apprehensive about going. Seeing the adverts around town for the many productions on offer, Amy and I felt obliged to take part. For those ignorant like me; a pantomime is typically performed at the end of an acting season, basically so that the actors can let their hair down – from what I’m told. A simple, well-known show is picked, and they turn it into a farce - lots of audience (particularly children) participation, slapstick, vulgar humour, and heavy shtick. I loved it. We went and saw Aladdin. It’s quite something to see an all Glaswegian cast perform Disney tunes.
One weekend we took the train to Edinburgh and enjoyed the Christmas markets under the castle. In typical Edinburgh style, the whole city was much more dolled up - streets, parks, business and everything inbetween were covered in lights and ornaments. It's fair to say that Edinburgh outdid Glasgow when it came to Christmas spirit.
I found it humorous that with all of the suggested joy and cheer of Christmas decorations, carols, markets, and trees, that the Scots kept their standard friendly, yet gruff demeanour during December. I find that similar to Australians, but in greater measure, the Scots don’t like to outwardly admit happiness, at the risk of sounding like they’re boasting. They (or us) could have had the most wonderful and successful day, win the lottery even, but would still offer the laconic response of “not bad” to the question of “how are you?”. Edinburgh & Glasgow looked a treat during December, but you wouldn’t know it by the looks on people’s faces or their patter. “There was more snow last year, you know”. It’s an endearing and perplexing observation.
I also had my work Christmas party and took the train down to Ayr to celebrate with my new colleagues. We partied at the Marriott hotel before ending up at a local pub called Smith’s, and later a local club, which I have limited recollection of. It was fab. Thanks, Team Physioflexx.
As Amy’s family had planned a Christmas trip to Zagreb, Croatia, in a few weeks, we actually didn’t spend much of Christmas in Glasgow. Having booked off the last 3 weeks of the year to make our way east across Europe to meet them, we begun packing our bags.
Our Christmas Tour of Europe was about to begin.
JC
“Be happy while you’re living, for you’re a long time deid”
Old Scots proverb
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