Edinburgh Scotland Survival Guide - Part 1 Football

I am sitting here thinking about all of the things I've learnt about Edinburgh, that I would never have known had I not spent the last six months of my life here. It goes without saying that, unless you emerse yourself in local activities, you're never going to do or see anything more than what is on the local tourist strip. When people arrive in Edinburgh, do they know what the local people do on the weekends? Do they know what they talk about in the pub? Do they know what bus is most popular? Where people drink? What football team many support? Nope. Well I do.

Edinburgh's Favourite Sport
One word. Football. If I could choose a second word, it would be Football. And we aint talkin the English Premier League. People here in Scotland dont give two tosses about football below the border. The Scottish Premier League is, in the Scot's opinion, the best league in Europe, possibly the world. You've got, say, five most popular teams, and its all about where you are from - I am also sure that all young children go through a christening-like process, where you are required to pledge your alleigence to the one and only local football team. In Edinburgh, there's two prominent teams, you've then got Aberdeen and of course, the infamous two - Celtic and the Rangers:

1. The Heart of Midlothian FC - aka Hearts, Jam Tarts, Jambos (short for jam tarts). Recent champions of the Scottish League who continually play poorly against any team outside the league (ie. UEFA cup, champions league). One of their team chants: "The "Green Machine", fae sunny leith (ie. the Hibs, see below), just cannae win the nation's trophy, Titanic's drowned, ten monarch's crowned but if you like, the Hearts could show ye, You're goin' down you Hibbee clowns, to visit dumps like Clyde and Brechin, Oh can't you see, you'll always be, Auld Reekie's wee team!" If you need that translated from Scottish to English, dont ask me! My friend Lindsey is the most passionate Hearts player I know. She hasnt missed a home game since she was born, i think.

2. Hibernian FC - aka the Hibs, the Hibees (said Hye-beez), often used in the context of "ya dir'y hibee". Primarily from the Leith area, they are seen as the "lower class and rough" end of town boys, and whenever they play at Easter Road(their stadium is near my home), there's more police presence than a swedish jewellery store heist. I think their team chant sums it up - "We are Hibernian FC, We hate Jam Tarts and we hate Dundee, We will fight wherever we may be, 'Cause we are the mental H F C." Needless to say, when there's a game on, there'll usually be drunken fight at the local pubs nearby.

3. Aberdeen FC - I have to be a little reserved here because this is the Boy's team and he is ever faithful. The Boy continually informs me of all sorts of statistics about how "they are the only scottish league football team to have finished in the top whatever in over so and so number of years.".. blah blah blah. Seeing there's no particularly good looking team member on side, my interest in their games tends to dwindle - oh how i will pay for pay, should the Boy hear me say such things.

And there is of course, the "infamous two", Celtic FC and Rangers FC, who have been dubbed "The Old Firm".

There is so much history between these two football clubs that I dont know where to start. Basically, these football clubs are renouned for their hatred of each other, which has been described, plain and simply, as dangerous sectarianism. Firstly, its about two parts of Glasgow that hate each other. Secondly, its about religious sectors and history.

See, Celtic was started by a bunch of Irish Catholics who came to Glasgow. The Rangers were already established sixteen years prior, and were Scottish Protestants. Here developed such strong racial tension that there have been countless incidents of violence because it was the most obvious social division for years and years, that identified the irish based catholics versus the scottish based protestants. From what I know (which is very little, particularly because it is a very very very sensitive subject around here,) a lot of the violence by Celtic is linked to the IRA (not sure how founded this accusation is though), and it is connected to the well documented trouble in Northern Ireland (and its religious sectarianism). Notwithstanding this, there's been the majority of the blame placed on the Rangers. In 1989 that the Rangers scrapped its "protestant only" policy when signing players, yet sectarianism of this kind is still present even in this day. I am not sure if people realise just how engrained this sectarianism is, and its only when you come in as a foreigner, listen to conversations in pubs, and you hear young male Scots talk with such hatred and anger.

These football clubs are now actively participating in various ways to stop sectarianism within the club (well, publicaly, anyway because they've been told they'll be kicked out of the league if it doesnt stop) and you can get jailed and/or fined if you're found singing the "Old Firm" sectarian songs, whether it be at a game, or in public. Its that serious. As an example, the song "Billy Bhoys" cant be sung by Rangers supporters, which says "We're up to our knees in Fernian (Irish nationalist) blood, surrender or you'll die". Rangers are also forbidden to sing various other songs, including one which refers to the Pope as "a Nazi".

If you want to read more on this, check out the essay: http://www.fas.nus.edu.sg/ugsoc/his/Journal/Microsoft%20Word%20-%20
Glasgow_and_Celtic_Sports.pdf#search=%22words%20to%20billy%20bhoys%20song%20
sectarianism%20celtic%22

The essay is quite good, because it states that the bottom line is that not its not about football - its about wider social issues - with football as the obvious outlet.

Wanted: Therapy

So I am writing this while I should be working. I admit. I'm being naughty. But I have to get this off my chest. Yes, I am in panic mode. You see, I've gone and gotten all excited about Canada and completely overlooked the most important requirement of all - a work visa. No, no I didnt just "forget about it", but I did seem to convince myself that all would be okay in that department.

When I got the job in July, I turned it down. It took me two months to decide that I Really Really wanted to go. So, having confirmed with the employer that my job was still available, I've become overwhelmed with happiness. However, this morning it dawned on me - would it be too late to get a visa?

I'm not talking "too late" as in, I wont get one in time. I start in December, so of course there will be time. The problem lies in whether there will be any left. For 2006, they issue 7500 visas. Currently, there are only 882 left, as of today. The job fair at Whistler is in late October, for all of those people who have not already gotten job offers. So everyone will have already put in there applications. Applications are processed in order of date of arrival to the Consulate. What happens if there are 1000 applications sitting in the Canadian Consulate waiting to be processed, and mine gets in there (hopefully tomorrow) and it sits there, for weeks on end, waiting to be processed, only to find that there'll be none left by the time it gets to be processed?

I've stewed and stewed over this for the entire day at work. I've been paralysed by anxiety about it. I've calculated all kinds of figures about it - say, if they have a 4-6 week expected processing time, and processing 25 applications per day, then there's a good chance I'm still in. However, that's not taking into account the applications which are waiting....etc....etc...

I couldnt put the application in any earlier because I didnt know if I definately had the job or not. I didnt want to spend $150 to get the visa in case I wasnt going to need it. All of this because i didnt want to spend the cash! I am so stupid!

*gasp*

So basically, I am not going to know if I am definately going to Canada for another 4-6 weeks, or until the website of WHP Canada shows that all of the visas are gone.

How am I going to get through these next 4 -6 weeks without going insane?

I need therapy.

*sigh*

I need to put everything into perspective and just calm the hell down. If I dont get a visa, sure, I will have to once again inform WB that I cannot come over, and sure, they will be annoyed at me, and I will be disappointed because now I really really really want to go. But in the grand scheme of things, this isnt the end of the world. I will survive this. I wasnt planning on going to WB three to four weeks ago, so its not the end of the world if I dont go now. Sure, it will be sad, and unfortunate but I have to understand that life goes on. There will be bigger things for me to accomplish, more exciting places to go. Everything will be alright.

This is the frustrating down side to my personality. I muddle over things, get over-anxious about things I cannot change, and it eats away at me until I can sort it out. I demand far too much from other people in order to take away my anxiety and fears, and I end up bitterly disappointed when they cant help - for example, I've demanded that my family get the visa application in to the Consulate first thing tomorrow - which would require them to travel an hour to get to the office. In my mind, I cant think of any other way I can put my mind at ease. I feel like I wont be able to calm down without knowing my application is atleast IN the queue to begin with - but who am I to expect my family to drop everything in order to go and change their plans and go out of their way to do this for me?

I get tunnel vision and I cant think of anything else until the problem is out of the way.

Right.

I need to re-group and just caaaaaaaaaalm down.

Everything will be okay.

Its not the end of the world.

Life goes on.

Right?

A Night of Golf

The Boy dragged me along to the Driving Range to hit some golf balls. Golf is, of course, the national sport of choice here in Scotland.

While he tried his very best to strategically place the balls near certain flags, I destructively aimed each and every one of the balls at the lake. And was probably about 72% successful in doing so. The ball-boy must hate me this morning.

After collecting my 2 tokens from the reception, i headed off to the machine which gave me the golf balls - such a sophisticated set up here in Scotland!

Press the button....

.... and we have 100 balls - you have to always make sure the basket is under the chute, in order to save embarrassment.









Placing the ball on the bit of hose sticking out of the fake grass mat....

















With the balls ready to go, I was ready to hit!
















Some guy next to me was heaps better than I was. He had the whole glove thing going on too, which I wished I'd had. Would have saved getting blisters on my hands.

Panic Stations!

What if I dont get a visa?!?

There are 882 out of 7500 visas left.

What if I am too late?

What if I miss out by, like, 2 places?

Has my indecision cost me this opportunity?

What if I've gotten myself all excited about this, and I'm too late?

*breathe*

Eight Weeks To Go!

Til I see my little munchkin.

No Snow Yet

http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/weather/cams/whistler/index.htm

Some of My Best Memories - Part 1

Highlight 1: Thailand, 21st March - 26th March 2006

Being in Thailand would have to have been the first highlight of my trip, and even to this day, I dont think I have matched the amount of fun I had in Thailand. I had never travelled to and around an Asia country on my own before , and boy, it was an experience that I wont forget. I wont forget swimming amongst fluoro coloured coral and curious little Nemo fishies. I wont even forget "nightswimming" in the open sea, amongst the phosphorous lights. I wont forget that final, crazy night in Bangkok with my Tennesse friend, Leslie. Lastly, I wont forget the wonderful people of Thailand.

Highlight 2 - The Heist, Stockholm Sweden, 25 April 2006

I hadnt ever planned on going to Stockholm, and nor did I plan to get caught up in a jewellry store robbery. I made the most of the situation by photographing the local policemen *grin*. I wandered casual around the scene, finding it humourous that I'd gotten myself involved in such a situation. I found it even more humourous that, the day later, the news reported that the robber had well and truly escaped before the police had even arrived.









Highlight 3 - Helsinki Finland, 29 April 2006

I think this is a highlight, not because anything particular happened, just simply because I was actually in Helsinki, Finland. Somewhere I had NEVER planned on going, but decided on a whim to do it. It was definately one of those "I cant believe I am here" moments.

Some of My Best Memories - Part 2

Highlight 4 - France, July 10th - 19th

I loved this holiday. It was my first venture back into "europe" since the year prior and I realised just how much I love travelling. I enjoyed spending my days with the camera, enjoying lazy days on the beach, and my first "Escargots" experience!





Highlight 5 - Westlife Concert, Edinburgh Castle, 21 July 2006.

Fine. Laugh if you will. But I still maintain this was one of the BEST nights i've ever experienced. Those who know me know how much I idolised these guys when I was young, and nothing was going to stop me from singing at the top of my voice to the songs which were the anthem to my teenage-hood.




Highlight 6 - The Edinburgh Tattoo, 8 August 2006

This was probably THE highlight of my trip. It was THE Edinburgh Tattoo. Not the one in Sydney, but THE one in Edinburgh. And, it was even more special because tickets were all sold out, yet I still managed to get two tickets to the preview, because of good luck. Hearing Highland Cathedral brought a tear to my eye, and it was then I paused to realise just how blessed I was to be there.



The Edinburgh Festival - August - Sept 2006

The city absolutely rocked. I have never seen a city change personalities like I did when the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and other Festivals, came to town. I fully embraced the fantastic event, and went to as many shows as time (and money) would allow.

Beginning of the End

I still have four weeks or more here in Edinburgh. But I only have four days left at my apartment. I am packing all of my worldy possessions in a box, ready to be shipped back to Australia, because there's no way i'll be allowed with this much in my luggage through Heathrow!! Well, not without paying some astronomical surcharge, anyway.

Moving around makes you realise just how little possessions really matter. I mean, I do have a load of stuff to get back, but there's nothing in that box that is of great importance, except for one photo album my sister gave me. The rest, I could really do without. I'm just too much of a t*ght ass to throw it all away. Its not like I am even taking half of the stuff to Canada with me. *shrug*

Everything that I will be taking away with me from Edinburgh is in my heart, on my blog, and on the CDs that contain my photographs. Its in friendships, its in the memories, and its in just the general happiness I've felt since being in this gorgeous city. That wont go away.

Finally - Some Direction!

Things are so much better now that I have an idea of where my life is going to take me in the next six months. Its either going to work out, or its not. I'm so ready for the experience of finding out! Right now, I feel like the luckiest girl in the planet, even though another 3000 australians are going to be there too!!

List of things to do - book flights, get visa organised, pack up boxes ready for my move this weekend back to the hostel for a further four weeks.

Oh! And I'm officially getting back to the gym seriously, as of tonight. I need to regain some of the fitness I've lost over the past six months. I'm going to need to be fit, fit, fit for Whistler!

I Am Happy!

Things Are Falling Into Place

Things are finally coming together and I am actually seeing through that hazy cloud that was covering me. My plans are beginning to form and I guess the rest of it is up to God, and fate, and whatever else that will come into play.

I've been allowed back into Whistler Blackcomb for their Winter Season 06/07. And I am genuinely super excited. You see, back in August when I turned down the offer, I had so much going on, and I wasnt ready to face the fact that I would have to leave Edinburgh in order to go there. I wasnt ready for a lot of reasons - I had the Boy, I was enjoying my job, and not wanting to change what was comfortable. Now that time has gone on, I've worked out that it is time for me to move on, and that there is still so much more out there that I need to experience before I can settle down anywhere, whether it be Sydney or Edinburgh.

So I can now smile, and feel all giggly and excited about the fact that I am, for five months, going to be living and working in the world's most famous ski resort - Whistler Blackcomb - and also the home of the Winter Olympics 2010. I am not going for the partying. I dont want any of that. Its well known, sure, and a lot of the kids that go are there for that and only that. Instead, I am going because I want to put myself into another environment which differs from anything I've known.

I'm taking the risk I should have taken from the beginning - at least in terms of work. Going back to a law firm was good, because it has allowed me to settle and live comfortably in Scotland. It was good because I could travel and i could enjoy the festival and all of its (expensive) delights. But it was too safe. It was too much like what I did back in Sydney. Which is why the boredom has set in now and it is why I am ready to go and do something different.

I am going to be working with people that dont care for working 11 hours a day. I am going to be doing work which doesnt revolve around a 15 million pound corporate deal. I've been thinking about maybe starting up some photography on the side for some of the boarders, if I can manage to learn to get good shots. Who knows, maybe I will get a gig which could see me there for the Olympics in 2010. I can dream, cant I?

Anyway, so it looks like I am going to travel for a bit after my contract ends in November. I will head to Amsterdam first, and then for a couple of weeks, try my luck around Europe without spending too much of my money. Then I will head home for a couple of weeks, ready to start at Whistler during mid-December. It means I miss out on Christmas with the family, but hey, its better than nothing.

Self Portraits

I am so excited about these! I am so proud of this set! I did them today, and when they started to come together, I couldnt wait to finish them and put them on the net for you all to see. They required minimal photoshop interference. Instead, I tried to use the functions of the camera. They arent perfect - but what in life is?

Just in case you're wondering, I'm not so egotistical that I spend my weekends photographing myself. But when its raining, cold and there's nothing to do, its a great way to practice camera techniques. And seeing the cat wont stay still, i'm it.

Self Portraits In Sepia

Is It Just Me Or....

.... has Ashlee Simpson become super beautiful lately? She sure beats her super-average sister, Jessica. Hmmm... just a thought. I've decided I'm going to leave my hair to grown real long for the winter. Long and curly, maybe with some more blond streaks through it... god, I need to become busier at work. All I do all day is think about stupid stuff like this. hehehe

Goodbye

Everyday's the same
I feel them merge
I try to separate
Resist the urge
But they tell me
I'll be fine
That it will all get better
Just try to write it down
Or put it in a letter
But the words won't play
And there's no
Easy way to say
Goodbye, goodbye

Keep my head on straight
And don't look down
With all I've pushed away
I'm losing ground
But they tell me
I'll be fine
That it will all get better
Just try to write it down
Or put it in a letter

But the words won't play
And there's no
Easy way to say
Goodbye, goodbye

And from the sidelines
Watch me fall down

And I don't understand
The things I do
But I'll probably be fine
As long as I keep moving
I'll try to write it down
So things just keep improving

Still the words won't play
'Cause there's no
Easy way to say
Goodbye, goodbye

Natalie Imbruglia

Symptoms of the Scottish Bug

Scottish Bug

I reckon this is what the germ I am carrying around in my body at the moment looks like. Its a scottish bug. One that goes around Scotland when the weather changes dramatically from warm(ish) to cold. Its true.

Achhhhoooo!

I got a cold. A dirty scottish bug of some sort. Ugh. Its making me want to crawl into bed, hide under the covers and wish for world peace.

Typical Edinburgh

I love Edinburgh. Its the only place, where there can be no clouds in the sky, yet it can still be p*ssing down with rain.

Leith Docks, Edinburgh

Transporting (Like Trainspotting... but..)

The bus I catch each morning (cause I'm too lazy to walk!)

The Coffee Cup Chronicles

Yesterday, I thought I would try a different style of photography to suit the mood I was in. Very different to what I usually do, but they turned out okay.

The Journey Within

I soon realized that no journey carries one far unless, as it extends into the world around us, it goes an equal distance into the world within. ~Lillian Smith

I have less than six weeks left in Edinburgh, Scotland. My departure has crept up on me, only because I have been so busy worrying about my future. But despite the confusion, the fear, the worry about where I am headed, I know that regardless of where I end up, I will look back on my time in Edinburgh fondly. The past six months have been so wonderful, and at the same time, so hard, but I guess it is all about the journey within as much as it is about the journey itself.

Edinburgh is a magnificent place, with some wonderful people. I have made so many friends, both from work and outside of work, and I have also had the assistance of family friends to help me out. I have enjoyed travelling the length of the country, and can say I have seen more of this country than my own. I fell in love with the Scots' humour, their relaxed attitude to life, and their hospitality. I particularly enjoyed Festival time the most, with all of the amazing performers, the colours and the atmosphere.

When I arrived in Scotland way back in April 2006, I didnt know where life would take me. I was terrified and I was alone. Now, I sit here, in September 2006, with some great people around me, including an amazing person by my side (the Boy). Despite the difficult times we've had to endure together, he has become my best friend and greatest source of support. While I leave him behind, I take with me knowledge that he will continue to be by my side, even if we cant be together.

As I slowly pack up my room, I fold my Scottish flag up and place it in my backpack, knowing that as I leave, I take a bit of Scotland with me. The last thing I want is to say goodbye to Scotland forever.

Okay, So I am Losing Serious Respect

I know that when I keep changing my mind about what I want to do, people are going to be less sympathetic when I am down about it all. Which I completely understand. So when I tell you all that I have asked the guys at Whistler to offer me my job back this winter, I can imagine that you will all shake your heads and tell me what a damn fool I am being. First it was Canada, then it was Africa, then it was Eastern Europe and then now it is Canada again.

The problem is that I have been, for the first time in my life, spoilt for choice. I am sitting here, with a little bit of money, with the rest of my life before me. I have no obligations to anyone, I am my own person. For the last couple of months, I have been on a "learning curve" about what is truly important to me. Africa is important to me. Its a special journey I want to do. But not when it is raining. Going to Eastern Europe is important to me, but when that ends, I will be broke and will have to resume life back in Sydney, right back where I was only eight months ago. Canada was special, because it allowed me to continue my travels for longer, give me a job and allow me to snowboard, meet new people, experience life in a different country.

I know I have lost respect because of this decision. But I dont care. Its been a very difficult couple of months for me, and no one understands until they're living it themselves. I have a tough two months ahead of me, leaving the Boy, going home, seeing the family and then leaving them again, but if Whistler allow me to get back into the program, then I dont think I am going to look back and feel I've made the wrong decision.

Its time not to care what other people think.

Behind the Scenes - The Photos You Dont See!

Here's a behind the scenes look at me trying to get photos of the £$&% darn (but cute) Red Panda that wouldnt stay still. Not everything goes to plan! I think the little guy was deliberately scurrying away from me just to annoy me.



Okay, little guy, just stay still, please?



Right. I'm asking you nicely...just stay still... just for a minute.



Nooooo! Dont go over THERE!!!



Okay, this is starting to get "un-funny". Sit still.



So we are going to play a game of "hide and seek" are we?



NOOO! Not in THERE!!!

Decisions

"Somewhere along the line of development we discover what we really are, and then we make our real decision for which we are responsible. Make that decision primarily for yourself because you can never really live anyone else's life." -- Eleanor Roosevelt


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A Trip To Edinburgh Zoo

One thing I must say about my time in Edinburgh, is that I have used it so well. I have done so much of the city, and those things that I have yet to do, will be done as part of showing Kel and Soxy around in October (ie Ed. Castle, Mary Kings Close). Today saw me jump on the Number 31 bus out to Edinburgh Zoo. I've never been to a zoo outside of Australia, so it was great to see animals that I would not normally see (due to the difference in climate). For example, today I was able to see my first polar bear! The day was spent on my own, just wandering around the zoo with my camera. I love doing that. It relaxes me. When I am behind the lens, I relax completely and I completely zone out, like nothing in the world can bother me. I love it. I wish I could do photography for a career... maybe one day, when I can afford some better camera equipment. In the meantime, enjoy the photos I took.

Note: Most of these photos were taken through glass (as they were in enclosures) so the quality of some arent great





The main attraction - four baby Asiatic lion cubs born in May, 2006.




Mum watching her babies very closely, to make sure they don't get up to mischief.




"Mischief? Who me? Too tired for mischief!", the baby lions say.




"Its so tough being so popular!"



Sadly, Dad cannot be with the little ones, because he has a habit of eating his young (?!). Soon he will be allowed back in with them, but only when the cubs can fend for themselves.



Finally, all the babies are asleep, giving mum some time to rest.