putting the 'b' in subtle...

Thursday, December 12, 2002

 
Gutted by fire and condemned to demolition, 369 the Cowgate is now just an empty smouldering shell in Edinburgh’s Old Town. It’s an ignominious end for the world famous centre for alternative comedy better known as the Gilded Balloon.

That's from a Scottish newspaper report. I found out about this today, though it happened this past weekend. When I went to Scotland after graduation, I worked at the Gilded Balloon. Yeah, it is world famous. Besides year round events and performances, it's one of the 3 major venues for the world famous Fringe Festival. And it lost everything; all records, memorabilia, contacts - everything. I spent the summer of 2000 constantly in this area. Take a look at this picture. I walked down this street everyday, the office of the organization I went through is right on the left, near the top of the hill by that red car. See the black doorway to the left of the fire truck, under the black sign - that's the front door where I worked.

One of the worst fires in Edinburgh's history destroyed part of the historic Old Town this past weekend. Pretty much all of the buildings affected will most likely be torn down. For anyone who's been to Edinburgh, you'll know how incredible and unique the Old Town is, and how it is full of cobbled alleyways, medieval courtyards, closes and narrow streets. It's part of what makes it such a great city, one of my favorites. Many of them are medieval buildings and there's hundreds of years of history there. Part of the University of Edinburgh has had buildings either damaged or lost, I can't remember, but has lost research. Apparently, none of the buildings on the World Heritage Site List were affected, though it came close.

For most people over here, it might not mean much, just another report of damage in a foreign city. What a shame, we'll think. For me though, Edinburgh means quite a bit. For all its ups and downs, I wouldn't trade my time living and working there at all. After a while there, I could walk down the street, not as a tourist, but as an inhabitant of the city, and I remember one time, just looking around during the festival and thinking, "this is my Edinburgh, and I love it." So, with the loss of the place where I worked, it's like a piece of my whole work abroad experience has been touched.

I'll be back in Edinburgh in just 2 weeks. I was planning to go back in the Gilded Balloon and take a look around again. I still will, only this time, I guess I'll just go as far as the blocked off areas allow and take a look at what's left.

It's really sad.

Carrie 12:51 AM

Tuesday, December 10, 2002

 
Only in my workplace would you find a large paper bag full of condoms available on the kitchen counter, and no idea who put them there. Honestly. Well, at least they share.
Carrie 6:36 PM