Usually, I hate reflecting too much on the past especially at the start of the new year, but I wanted to write about a recent subcrawl after it happened in October. However, in October I found myself wrapped up in Blogtober posts, and before I knew it, I had Blogmas and I just didn't write it. However it here comes.
For those of you (like me) and didn't know what a subcrawl is. It's basically going to a city like Glasgow with a subway system, and stopping at every subway stop that has a pub to have one drink.
I recommend picking Glasgow as a fun city with friendly folk and guaranteed good time. It is also the third oldest subway metro system in the world!
For me, this was an opportunity to meet the other bridesmaids and ushers before the big day. Very exciting! At first when I heard, I just thought it was a spelling error of pub crawl, and when talking about it, they were being lazy getting the subway. No idea why I would think they'd keep spelling it wrong, so here are my lessons from the subcrawl:
1. Know what it is
Nothing like showing up for a night out, not knowing what you're there for (e.g. forgetting it was someone's birthday). Not knowing what to expect made it more fun in some ways.
2. Don't drink the night before!
 |
| One of our subcrawl stops |
A subcrawl is one of the biggest drinking sessions you will do. I had to look this up as I couldn't remember... there are 15 stations you will stop at. That equates to 15 drinks (maybe more if you have friends like mine who bribe you with shots or encourage the consumption of nicer tasting spirits). Stupidly, I'd arrived to Glasgow the day before - went shopping and enjoyed a nice round or many of drinks and fishbowls. Never wise! I woke up hanging and wanting irn bru so much; I might as well have been injecting it by an IV drip! Luckily, determined to make the most of it, I had the most fun! Dancing and drinking the day and night away. Thanks Jools!
3. Don't be afraid to drink soft drinks between drinks
Sometimes I find that alcoholic drinks can be too sweet and sickly, so I like to break it up with a soft drink whether that's a J2O, water or even irn bru. There is no shame if you're still the one standing, dancing or having the time of your life, while the rest are sleeping on the dance floor or making fools out of themselves.
4. Eat lots!
If you're drinking that much, you need food. We started with some amazing dips, chicken and crisps. Easy pleased and thanks again Jools! As we were out, we also had two takeaways. My favourite drunk food is cheesy chips (or if in Scotland, chips and cheese). It is the best! This was my first port of call. Then towards the end of the night, we had another takeaway which brings along a very funny story.
We went to the next takeaway, where we lost two of our entourage, but if I'm honest, I didn't care. Food came first! However I made a massive mistake. In subcrawl state, I didn't read the menu properly. I wanted pizza and instead of being my sober self picking my favourite pizza of mushroom pizza, I wanted to be adventurous Big mistake! I don't know what it was but out of the five toppings I liked 2. I didn't look at half the line with the ingredients. I could have cried. No, I laughed. How stupid can you possibly be? So being the drunken person I am entering the long taxi queue of Glasgow, trying to find everyone we were with, I found myself giving my pizza slices away to some strangers. Until I realised I was no longer with my people. Before I could realise this, Jools was shouting me to the front and telling me to stop giving my pizza away. A sentence I never thought anyone would say. I don't give food away. Think of female Joey from friends...
5. Take pictures early on!
 |
| My hair looks a state! |
I wasn't wise, and did not do this while I looked half decent. This one, for instance was when I was so hot, I needed to tie my hair back. At least I had a nice top on!
I also love this picture that I took with the bestie:
6. Have a kitty!
 |
| Lovely place we stopped at |
It's hard to imagine what it might have been like without a kitty. 15 drinks, definitely more and how do you pay? We split ours into two groups of kitties, and it saved so much. I think I spent maybe £30. Then we stopped later in the night as some left earlier. That's when it got more silly.
7. Enjoy games and make up some funny stories!
It became a standard joke that my friends tried to set me up with one of the other ushers. Not fun! However at least it bought along some funny banter, even if it was incredibly awkward. To make them stop, I agreed I was in love and said we were going to China (a place I want to visit) together tomorrow. My agreeing seemed to make it stop. Not sure whether they believed we were going to China though. Funny that!
I can't think of many other funny stories (or anything I wish to include) of the night other than the old man who took a shine to us, the guy who almost became part of the gang and the shots!
8. Don't have more than one drink!
 |
| Don't drink and take pictures! Another stop |
I don't mean it like that. Have as much or as little as you wish, but I'd suggest sticking to one drink at each place. Even if others are slow because you will live to regret it much later. I found myself being caught in one drink then shot, shot and shot.
9. Take pictures at every stop
 |
| One of the subway stops |
Unfortunately I didn't stick to this plan, but some of my favourites have been dispersed in this post!
10. Make memories!
 |
| One of our funniest subway stops... |
This is fun for any occasion from a good night out, birthday, hen/stag do or special occasion. Best of all, remember what it is for and enjoy doing it.
I'm not sure whether to write more posts about my time in Scotland over late September or October, as wanted to describe stuff about shopping, where to visit etc, but feel like too much time has passed. Maybe I will do more about the three cities - Aberdeen, Dundee and Glasgow, when I visit again this year.
Let me know what you think, and whether you've done anything like a subcrawl.
