Bonfire Night and a Drop In Session

Remember, remember!
    The fifth of November,
    The Gunpowder treason and plot;
    I know of no reason
    Why the Gunpowder treason
    Should ever be forgot! 

Last week was Bonfire Night, also known as Guy Fawkes Day, the anniversary of the foiled plot to bomb Parliament in 1605. So there were festivities at Glasgow Green and a group of us went. There wasn't a bonfire. As you can imagine why, the city has banned those. Instead they celebrate with fireworks. 

They had the display set to music. Apparently the theme changes each year, and this year was "Superheros" so all the theme music from superhero movies. (Some of it was a stretch... Transformers? Superheros, really, Glasgow?) The fireworks were really, really well done. Among some of the best I have seen, actually. We also lucked out with the weather, since it was in the 40s and no rain. So, it was a lovely night. I'd show you pictures, but it was dark and my phone doesn't have a flash so I really didn't manage any good ones.

I ended my night with one of the weirdest experiences. In the middle of the city, while waiting for a bus, I came face to face with the biggest fox -- yes, fox! -- I have ever seen. I heard something rustling in the bushes, but honestly just assumed a drunk person had fallen over. I turned to check and I was looking at this huge fox. In the city, not suburbs, city. I stepped back away from it, and it looked at me for a long moment and then turned and ran the other direction. And I stood there dumbfounded, thinking "Did you just see that?!" But, no. No one did because I was alone.

When my housemate and I had company over for dinner, they brought treacle tart for dessert. I have to say, I had no idea what to expect, and I now know I had envisioned it entirely wrong all those times reading Harry Potter...

Treacle tart with double cream.

Tonight, I had another Scottish experience. After class a few of us went to the Bappity Bowster for a drink. And though I had heard of the existence of such things, it was my first time being at a pub for an informal "session." A session is when musicians just drop in and play together for the enjoyment of it. It was fantastic to hear the traditional tunes, and the musicians were clearly having fun. 

My best photo, but half the pub was filled with musicians. 

Cheers, mate.

Here are some pictures from Skye that Steffi took. Proof of my enjoyment on the trip. :)

I've been very focused on academics the last couple weeks. It's going fast and I have several assignments coming due in the next two weeks, so I haven't really gone anywhere or done many exciting things. But I have enjoyed the company of many people here in town.

Katie, Steffi, and I went to a pub called the Bappity Bowster, follow the link to learn about the name -- it's hilarious. But the ambiance is so fantastic. I think I may have to set up shop and work from there from now on. That should be productive...

They didn't want their picture taken. This was a compromise photo, only half faces.

I'm always trying recognize interesting differences that might intrigue or amuse people at home. So here are a few random things:

• It's the toilet or the loo, never a restroom. (And if there isn't a bath, why would you call it a bathroom?)
• They don't get drunk, they get pished. (As least if you were raised in the Hebrides. I've heard pissed before, but here, the people I know say pished.)
• Which brings me to - there is no such thing a the Scottish accent. There are multiple Scottish accents, and funny enough, they can't always understand each other. :)
• Cheers is a sort of universal word. Mostly it means 'Thanks.' So, to the driver when you get off the bus or to someone who holds the door for you, you can say Cheers. But I've also seen written and heard spoken as hello and goodbye. I will say more men say cheers than women though so I'm never sure if I should use it or not, but it's a nice happy expression.
• Gaelic. More people in the States associate Gaelic with Ireland, but it's part of both Irish and Scottish heritage. Though there are differences. Including the two Irish people I've heard say it pronounce it Gay-lick, but the Scots pronounce it Gal-lic.
• Ques are very important social constructs. Don't mess with the que. Get in line at the back and wait your turn, even if there are only two people.

 I will hopefully have something interesting to share after Wednesday -- It's Guy Fawkes Day, or Bonfire Night as the Scots call it. Though there won't be a bonfire here; there will be fireworks though.