Tuesday 23 August 2011

Tattoo-riffic!

A few weeks ago I attended a world-renowned, everyone-should-do-once, Edinburgh-only event:
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The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Held only in August every year, the Tattoo is "...an annual series of Military tattoos (military display/ military performance) performed by British Armed ForcesCommonwealth and International military bands and display teams in the Scottish capital Edinburgh. The event takes place annually throughout August, as part of the wider Edinburgh Festival." (Thanks Wikipedia!)


Photobucket Walking up to the Castle

Held on the Castle Esplanade, the scene is set for the Tattoo as early as June every year. The massive bleachers go up, security is everywhere, and tickets go on sale. The show is only held in the evening, and after seeing some of the impressive lighting displays and the dramatic backdrop that night provides to the performances, I cannot imagine the Tattoo having the same effect during the day.

Photobucket Me and the Castle...waiting for sunset!

The show is opened by 9 bands of pipers. Many from Scotland, but there was also a pipe band from the British Marines and the Nepalese Gurkhas! I love bagpipes, and the intense melodies created by nine bands was a stirring way to begin the show.

Following the pipers, there were performances by military bands from the Netherlands, Germany, Brazil and the rest of the UK. Also, there were military presentations, such as a demonstration about how the Navy deals with piracy, and dancing by traditional Scottish dancers.

Photobucket Dutch Group

Photobucket Navy Demonstration

Photobucket German Group

Photobucket Everyone lined up

Every group that performed was unique and impressive. The Germans wore traditional lederhosen and played Alpenhorns, the Dutch band played while riding bikes (that bit was scary), and the Brazilians had Carnival dancers. But it was definitely the lighting, perfectly synchronised with the music, that helped make the performances really touching. By the end of the evening, the theme had come back around to Scotland as you can see below:

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The Celtic Dragon

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The Scottish Royal Standard

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The Saltire- St. Andrew's Cross

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After the touching last performance of "Scotland the Brave" by the Piper Bands, the Lone Piper ended the evening with a stunning solo song from atop the Castle.

The Tattoo was, by far, one of the coolest, most touching things I have ever experienced in Scotland. Seeing such a carefully studied tribute to Scotland, and other nations, was really enjoyable and really helps you understand why Scotland is such a proud nation, and why the Tattoo is one of the most popular events in the country.

Just to give you a taste, check out the video I took of "Scotland The Brave" by the Pipers:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEvJw0dSjzs
Disclaimer: I rarely take video with my camera, thus the sideways bit...ooops!

<3 Kim

Sunday 7 August 2011

Season of Change

Sometimes weeks, months, seasons go by without any huge changes that impact our lives. Things sail along in the harmony of routine. Sometimes boring perhaps, but equally offering a sense of security and foundation.

The summer of 2011 has not been one of those seasons. Beginning with the wedding of my dear cousin and visit of one of my Edinburgh friends to California, to the death of my dear grandmother in early July. August will take me to another new country, and summer will hopefully end with less grief and more positive moves for my future.

I had an awesome trip to the US over Memorial Day through mid-June. It began with my friend Yara visiting, which was exciting for numerous reasons. She was my first friend who I met in Edinburgh to visit my home in California, and she (being raised in Cyprus and Lebanon) loves and appreciates the sun, sea, and outdoors more than the lure of Hollywood (thank goodness...I can't handle LA for more than a day at a time). We spent a lot of time with my parents as well, and I'm pretty sure they would adopt her if she suddenly found herself in need of a new family! Later this month I will be travelling to Cyprus to see her and her family, sunshine ahoy!
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Yara and I in Ventura

After her trip came the wedding. My lovely Lauretta married Ed, her longtime boyfriend who has been a part of our family since she was 16. The wedding was amazing, set in the stunning mountains surrounding Yosemite National Park. The couple, so clearly in love and easily moving into the next stage of their relationship, made their special day such a beautiful testament to all of the people and things that they love. I had so much fun with my family, Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins...it was definitely a special trip! Photobucket
The Bride and Groom
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Fam at cocktail hour
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Jesse and Grandma Barnes
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Aunties and me!

The last leg of my trip was a bit more bittersweet. I went up to Seattle for a few days to see my family and friends up there. It was so nice to see my Auntie, my lovely friends, my cousins and Uncle, and my Grandma-but it was also very hard. I had not seen my grandmother since she had her stroke, and when I got there she was ill and in quarantine, still unable to talk, and having a hard time both communicating and getting around. It was devastating to see her that way, after so many years of knowing and loving her personality and idiosyncracies-now both shadowed by silence, confusion, and forced submission to her confinement while sick.
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Getting Pedicures for Grandma's birthday
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Hot tub fun!

While I spent much of my time with her not knowing what to say to a person who cannot respond back, and feeling both awkward and uncomfortable, small moments reminded me that my grandmother was still inside the shell. Her strong hands that would squeeze mine, her laugh, and her long hugs. THese helped bolster me, and made it easier to continue telling my one-sided stories. And I'm so glad that I did.

Three weeks after returning to the UK, my Grandmother passed away. I was devastated that I could not be there for my family, that I was not there to say goodbye in person. But I know that wherever she is now, she is so much better off than she was here. She can probably talk, and laugh, and walk without aid. And I hope that her and my grandfather are dancing through eternity together to the sounds of never-ending big band music.
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Christmas 2007

Although the sadness is still raw, especially when I write about it, I find it cathartic to do so. My paternal grandparents were dynamic, fantastic people. I'm so glad that I have so many memories of them left, and I have them to thank for my love of travelling, cultural appreciation, and experiencing new things.

On a happier note, my newlywed cousin is also expecting her first child. More apropos timing could not be possible. One life ends and another one just beginning. I know that her child will be welcomed by loving parents, surrounded by an extended family full of equal love, laughter, stories, and strength. My maternal grandparents have nurtured a large family that keeps growing. We are all family by birth, and I am happy to say that we are friends by choice. This side of the family gives me my love of large families, the knowledge that different beliefs and lifestyles can be celebrated, and the reality check that drama queens sometimes need!

If there is one thing that I know now that was a less defined belief before June, it is this: family really is an amazing thing. Family has the power to build you up, appreciate your uniqueness, accept our differences, and move through all stages of happiness and grief with a strong, yet intangible thread binding it together. Family is also what you make it. I have some family members that feel like strangers, who do not attempt to nourish the relationship, and some friends that are closer than blood and bonded to me as such. These things happen in life, and all we can do is try our best to be understanding to those who cannot appreciate the human familial bond, and hold on all the more to those in our lives who do.

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My fabulous family!

After a winter/spring of maddening routine, I am still living this summer of change. Lets hope August doesn't let me down!

<3 Kim