Two Weeks Before My Sailing Trip

'Yes, a sailing trip... well actually a sailing race from London to Portugal,' ... 

'Really have you ever sailed before?' ...

'Errm, no but hopefully I'll enjoy it!'

Hahaha, so yes. A sailing trip and no I have NEVER sailed before unless you count a day trip on a boat in Turkey. How exciting right?!?!

Why? You may wonder and well for me...an adrenaline-loving, inquisitive soul searching almost 20 year old I guess it was just curiosity. Ha. Curiosity killed the cat. Yes, yes but I am willing to take a leap of faith. The ocean is oh so vast, swaying from side to side with open arms and it is pretty much waiting to be explored. It appears as completely foreign in my understanding and I suppose I would love to have a chance to understand it that little bit more. Two weeks is probably not nearly enough but I guess this is me dipping a toe in or testing the waters hahaha :P :P :P. Bad joke, I know. Being a part of this experience will, of course, teach me lessons and skills that I will take onboard for the rest of my journey through life and I may love it or hate it out there. However, as long as I come out of the experience with a smile, ready to tell the tail... I would have achieved something I would have never imagined I would! Yes drama queen but it is true! 

Just under a year ago, before I move to Greenwich/Deptford (I'm on the border) and before I even knew I was going to university, I applied for the Royal Borough of Greenwich's Tall Ships Regatta 2017 from London, UK to Sines, Portugal. It had said on BBC News that there were a number of sponsored places available on board the ship, or you could pay. I then proceeded to do some research as I thought, this does sound like fun! I realised that the only way to get a sponsored space was if you lived, worked or studied in Greenwich and of course I did not. I lived, worked and studied in Essex. The non-sponsored places cost around £1.5k for accommodation, food etc etc. I thought well you never know, circumstances change all the time, I could become a millionaire... not. I actually just figured that life has a funny way of working and if it is meant to be it will be! 

And for sure... it was meant to be!

A couple months later I found out that I was accepted into Goldsmiths, University of London, how exciting. As I hadn't actually decided if I was 100% taking the plunge into academia until I had been accepted (mid August), I hadn't sorted anything you're supposed to such as accommodation, student finance and anything else you can think of so I was panicking! I managed to get my ass in gear and by September I was almost ready to begin the new chapter. I was placed in student accommodation around a 20 minute walk from my university in Lewisham and about an 8 minute walk into Greenwich town centre, and for those of you who haven't been... go to Greenwich!!! It is beautifulllll.  I will give you a guided tour myself :P. 

Now around 2 months after moving into my accommodation I received an email asking me to pay the first instalment for my voyage to Sines. Oh shit, I'm not a millionaire yet and I definitely cannot afford £1.5k now... I'm a student! I had to explain that unfortunately my circumstances had changed and I may have to back out of the trip... however, I decided to slip in the fact that I am in actual fact now by complete chance, a resident of Greenwich (well borderline Deptford but I sprinkled some sugar on it)!! I explained how I've sadly become a poor student but would still be very interested if there were any sponsored places still on offer. To my luck?? the lovely man on the other end of the email replied and explained that they loved how enthusiastic I was right from the start (I had a great application) and they would be happy to offer me a sponsored place - right after my interview! Yippieeeeeeeee. From then on the only way was up baby! 

Here I am now, just under two weeks to go sat with my handbook for the Norwegian Tall Ship; Christian Radich. I've read it from cover to cover and will use it as my bible. 

For more information about the Tall Ships Festival please check out: http://www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/tallships

Peace&Love,

Willow

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The Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2016

The luxury of having an older sister up in Fife really pays off around Festival season in Scotland. My sister Tara and my two gorgeous nieces Amelia and Ariana live about an hours drive from Edinburgh. I had been to Scotland a couple times before, but never to the famous Edinburgh Fringe Fest- 2016 was my year!

Edinburgh- or Athens of the north to the locals, is one of the most popular tourist cities in the UK. The city is not only known for its cobbled passages, rustic buildings and hilly surroundings but Edinburgh was one of the first cities in the world to be named a UNESCO city of Literature, for the city's list of world renown writers goes on and on...
The Ed Fringe Fest, est. 1947 is the largest arts festival in the world. Yes, I did just google that because I couldn't believe it myself! Coming to life in the month of August (the best month of the year- my birthday month) this open access festival- yes anyone can be part of the fest, even you!- is categorised into 12 exciting sections, rounding up over a total of 50,000 performances across the month. The most popular section of course is COMEDY, partly due to the Edinburgh Comedy Awards that have launched the careers of many well known British comedians.


With my family, I visited the festival on two different occasions during my visit to Edinburgh. As this was my first Fringe Festival experience I do feel as though I was no way prepared! I had no idea what to expect, where to start or what kind of thing to see. I had done no research and therefore did not book ahead for any of the popular and exciting shows and performances. My sister, Tara had warned me that if I wanted to check out a show I should be prepared and book in advance as it tends to get hectic but I was too laid back. Next thing I'm queuing up at the box office for tickets to see Trainspotting and... Sold Out....*cries a little inside*.

In the height of the festival season the Royal Mile crowds get insane!

I didn't end up seeing anything at the festival (except spontaneous street acts) partly due to my disorganisation and partly because it was overwhelming to pick one thing- I know cry me a river! The brochure/timetable thing that holds all the amazing acts was packed and in the end I had left it all too late. Oh well, there is always 2017!

Although I didn't attend any of the events or acts I did manage to experience the upbeat atmosphere of the streets of Edinburgh- a city that calls to be explored by foot I must say! With every tiny avenue leading to a rift of fascinating stalls, shops and eateries I was spoiled for choice.
So yes, my first experience of the Edinburgh Fringe Fest was probably not up to standard by any means, although I did promise myself to return- hopefully in the next couple years, ensuring I immerse myself fully in the Scottish festival experience!

Peace&Love,
Willow

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