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:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10154665481260436&l=7489791445