Day 12: September 26, 2024 (Art Day)

 (by Kate & Lena)

Our mornings were starting at different points in time today, some were sleeping until the last possible moment while others were already productive and working. After our rich breakfast we met up in the Lobby at 9:15 am. Our class had significantly shrunk, the reason being the cold going around.(We are snivelling and coughing while writing this.)We then went into town in Ms Hänggi’s quite rapid speed to meet the charming Liz, our tour guide. In educated company, we could admire various street art all around Glasgow. We learned about different artists: for example “Smug” who created a few of the artworks we spotted. What amazed us in particular was the way these artists hid their signatures in their own paintings. We also learned about the tradition Glaswegian taxi drivers have in summer, when they take children with special needs to the seaside in their taxis decorated with helium balloons. Some artworks weren’t in such good condition anymore because several of them are commissioned by private people and they hadn’t been looked after lately. Even though not all street art had been created legally, they all looked outstanding. Also, we learned about why the Scots chose the unicorn as their national animal. It’s because they wanted to represent purity and, in their opinion, their unicorn can beat the English “inferior” lion at any time.

After our tour we all separated and got lunch at different places. Most of us were trying to save money for the last day, making up for everything else they had spent. Others took the contrary approach, spending the last penny they had. However, a restaurant may not have been the best choice for our short lunch breaks... We met up again in the Tenement house. This compelling building was constructed in 1892 and is now used as a museum to shed a light on how people in Scottish cities lived in the 19th and 20th century. We discovered an amazing invention: inset beds. Some felt a strong desire to possess such a bed because it would meet all our comfort expectations. 

After exploring the Tenement house, we made our way to the Mackintosh house for Katharina’s and Marie’s presentation. After this fabulous input on Sir Mackintosh and his house we were keen on visiting it ourselves. One half of us strolled through the art gallery of the national art museum and the other half had a look at  the captivating Mackintosh house. 

After these exhausting exhibitions we carried our tired bodies back to the hostel and into our beds. 

Following our beauty sleep we had to get ready again for the fourth restaurant visit: this time it was South American food. Everyone felt utmost joy whilst tasting the spicy sauces (maybe also bragging about their spice resilience) and sipping their mocktails. As we set off for home on our not so casual 30-minute walk we finished our dinner talks in a very sophisticated manner.