I landed in Glasgow on the morning of "Independence Day", the day when Scotland had a vote to see whether they would split off from the UK as an independent country. There was a lot of debate and the country was very split--but for the first time in decades, it actually seemed like it was going to be close; the pre-polls were indicating a 50/50 possibility, and Scotland hung on the fence between the status-quo and a wack load of change. It was hard to really imagine what would happen following a YES vote. How complicated would it be to restructure their government? How long would the transition take and how unstable would things be during the changes? How risky was it? What powers would the people of Scotland gain? And the question everyone always asks--but what about the ecoooonomy?
When I arrived, there were YES campaigners all over downtown and YES signs in windows all over the city. I didn't see a single NO sign--but perhaps this was because most of the NO voters were simply status-quo voters who were not engaged enough to campaign--or they felt there wasn't a chance regardless of the pre-polls.
However, the results came in early the next morning (with a NO) and things went on as usual--after what seemed like a hangover throughout the city since Glasgow was one of the highest densities of YES voters. In fact, my second night in Glasgow was spent in a flat with a few Glasgow University climate activists who had YES banners all over the windows and balconies of their three story apartment flat. Their other main effort was to convince Glasgow University to divest from fossil fuels--which would set a huge precedence for all other universities in the world since GU is such an old, famous, and yet modern university. And this just in:
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/oct/08/glasgow-becomes-first-university-in-europe-to-divest-from-fossil-fuels
BOOM. One of the guys I stayed with is in the photo at the head of the article!
So my first night in Glasgow was spent with a friend who I had met in Victoria--through parkour! ;) She was just starting her Masters at GU and was kind enough to host me in her tiny dorm room. :) And remember my post on Selflessness and Service? Well, I mentioned how I had set the intention to meditate with various groups throughout my travels. As it so happened :) as we were walking through Kelvingrove Park during my first evening in Glasgow, we stumbled upon a Buddhist Meditation Center. I pointed it out to her, she mentioned how she had been meaning to go sometime, and we both wandered up the front steps--just in time to follow a couple through the door to be greeted by a very kind lady who welcomed us into a meditation and teaching that was just about to begin! :) Afterwards, we were asked several times about how we found out about the event. Haha, "We didn't," was our reply, "but we showed up with perfect timing anyway." :) It was a beautiful simple meditation with a very thoughtful, practical teaching afterwards about how we perceive 'problems'. The teacher was a young man in the traditional Buddhist attire, and he approached the topic in such a simple humorous way that the insights were easily accessible and applicable. In essence, what he was saying was that 'problems' only occur in the mind in the way we perceive a situation--they are not external objects. So if we change the way we relate to the world, we no longer have any problems.
Also: If a problem has a remedy, then there is no need to worry about it. And if a problem doesn't have a remedy--there is still no use in worrying! :) The tea and cookies and conversations afterwards were also very enjoyable. :)
And the next day was just as awesome. Turns out I arrived during 'Freshers Week' where new students at GU get to try out all the different clubs, groups, and activities for free without registration. And with so many young people from all over the world trying out new things, I fit in very well. ;) Out of all the options, we both quickly agreed on the one we would attend. Aikido. :) The lesson was invigorating, challenging, and very rewarding with a room full of students and several people in robes showing how it was done. And the Sensei was a typical martial arts teacher who liked to hear himself talk, make fun of students, go on and on about how severe and strict he was, and try to scare people--all the while laughing and joking around in a light-hearted manner. ;) And don't forget that he had a Scottish accent.
After spending two days wandering the beautiful areas of the west end of Glasgow with my friend, I began to look ahead to my trip to Edinburgh for the Global People's Climate March. Previously, I had contacted the Glasgow University Climate Action group to see if a march would also be held in Glasgow, and their reply was that a group would be travelling to Edinburgh for it--at the exact time that I would like to travel from Glasgow to Edinburgh. :) So I contacted them--and also asked if they knew of a place I could couchsurf. ;) I soon found myself in touch with a Londoner living in a shared flat right next to the Kelvingrove Art Gallery. Turns out it was a three story 'flat' with a spare room reserved for another flatmate who hadn't moved in yet. They opened their doors wide and were friendly, generous hosts, super relaxed and awesome company! Instant friends. :) I stayed two nights with them before we headed to Edinburgh together.
The view from my balcony:
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/oct/08/glasgow-becomes-first-university-in-europe-to-divest-from-fossil-fuels
BOOM. One of the guys I stayed with is in the photo at the head of the article!
So my first night in Glasgow was spent with a friend who I had met in Victoria--through parkour! ;) She was just starting her Masters at GU and was kind enough to host me in her tiny dorm room. :) And remember my post on Selflessness and Service? Well, I mentioned how I had set the intention to meditate with various groups throughout my travels. As it so happened :) as we were walking through Kelvingrove Park during my first evening in Glasgow, we stumbled upon a Buddhist Meditation Center. I pointed it out to her, she mentioned how she had been meaning to go sometime, and we both wandered up the front steps--just in time to follow a couple through the door to be greeted by a very kind lady who welcomed us into a meditation and teaching that was just about to begin! :) Afterwards, we were asked several times about how we found out about the event. Haha, "We didn't," was our reply, "but we showed up with perfect timing anyway." :) It was a beautiful simple meditation with a very thoughtful, practical teaching afterwards about how we perceive 'problems'. The teacher was a young man in the traditional Buddhist attire, and he approached the topic in such a simple humorous way that the insights were easily accessible and applicable. In essence, what he was saying was that 'problems' only occur in the mind in the way we perceive a situation--they are not external objects. So if we change the way we relate to the world, we no longer have any problems.
Also: If a problem has a remedy, then there is no need to worry about it. And if a problem doesn't have a remedy--there is still no use in worrying! :) The tea and cookies and conversations afterwards were also very enjoyable. :)
And the next day was just as awesome. Turns out I arrived during 'Freshers Week' where new students at GU get to try out all the different clubs, groups, and activities for free without registration. And with so many young people from all over the world trying out new things, I fit in very well. ;) Out of all the options, we both quickly agreed on the one we would attend. Aikido. :) The lesson was invigorating, challenging, and very rewarding with a room full of students and several people in robes showing how it was done. And the Sensei was a typical martial arts teacher who liked to hear himself talk, make fun of students, go on and on about how severe and strict he was, and try to scare people--all the while laughing and joking around in a light-hearted manner. ;) And don't forget that he had a Scottish accent.
After spending two days wandering the beautiful areas of the west end of Glasgow with my friend, I began to look ahead to my trip to Edinburgh for the Global People's Climate March. Previously, I had contacted the Glasgow University Climate Action group to see if a march would also be held in Glasgow, and their reply was that a group would be travelling to Edinburgh for it--at the exact time that I would like to travel from Glasgow to Edinburgh. :) So I contacted them--and also asked if they knew of a place I could couchsurf. ;) I soon found myself in touch with a Londoner living in a shared flat right next to the Kelvingrove Art Gallery. Turns out it was a three story 'flat' with a spare room reserved for another flatmate who hadn't moved in yet. They opened their doors wide and were friendly, generous hosts, super relaxed and awesome company! Instant friends. :) I stayed two nights with them before we headed to Edinburgh together.
The view from my balcony:
In the above photo, the castle portion of Glasgow University is in the background to the right. Below are some photos from when I explored the castle up close :)
For more photos and stories in the commentary, see the full album starting here:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10154665481260436&l=7489791445
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10154665481260436&l=7489791445