My final few days in Glasgow were full of melancholy, but also excitement at the prospect of returning home. I had made several close friends while abroad, celebrated Thanksgiving with flatmates from all over the world, taken classes on completely new subjects, and challenged myself, day after day.
I was not sure what I wanted to do or how to celebrate the coming change. As I packed my bags and cleaned my room in preparation for checkout, I wondered how to say goodbye.
Then, one of my friends texted me.
Alicia, a media studies student from Germany, wanted to meet for a goodbye meal. I gave an enthusiastic, “Yes!” We met up with one of our other friends, Katie, from Las Vegas, and went out to brunch. The original café we had wanted to visit was brimming with people, with a line stretching out the door. We all exchanged nervous glances.
“Wanna walk around and just go wherever looks good?” I offered.
They smiled. One more adventure, before we went home.
The three of us strolled around the city. The cold of early morning was just beginning to be overtaken by the warmth of early afternoon, and my stomach growled as we passed a café with powdered pastries in the window and nobody in the seating area.
“Here?” Alicia suggested.
Katie looked at the menu hung outside. “Oooh, they have pancakes!”
Needless to say, we knew where we were going. I treated myself to a sweet green smoothie and some tomato, egg, and avocado toast. The breakfast was as delectable as the company. At the end of our meal, we all looked around, hesitant to say goodbye.
“Want to go thrifting with me?” Katie asked, “I need to find a Christmas gift for my mom.”
And so we went shopping—another excuse to put off the parting moment. I tried on silly, frilly sunglasses and huge purple earrings. Alicia looked at fluffy sweaters, and Katie bought a big coffee mug for her mother.
Then:
“I want to visit the campus store. Want to come with me?” inquired Alicia.
And so we went. I bought magnets and postcards, hoodies and cookies—anything that looked fun. Alicia and I both walked out with bags full merchandise and guilty smiles; it was now clear that we were going to go wherever the wind would take us.
My last day in Glasgow would be one spent in wandering adventure for wandering adventure’s sake.
We sat and silently cried as a lone bagpipe player performed the Skye Boat Song, and smiled as it echoed throughout the University of Glasgow courtyards.
We trailed across the River Clyde walkway and through the park, watching dogs run unleashed and children ride their bikes along the stone paths.
Alicia told me the myth of St. Mungo, the patron saint of Glasgow, as we looked over a bridge into the rushing river water.
Finally, we climbed up a hill as sunset fell over the city and looked at the outline of our beloved university in the distance.
“I’m glad to have met you,” I told Alicia, “I hope that everything in your life is good.”
We hugged, and I watched as her silhouette faded into the orange hazy skyline.
Goodbye, Glasgow.
