Border bullies (VIDEO)

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United Kingdom Border Assholes (UKBA) is, like many Immigration agencies, staffed by the lower rungs of society who feel validated by their dispensable position on a gov't force. Much like poor white trash divines some divine pride from the mere fact of having pale skin never mind having no formal education, land, bank account, artistic endeavors, or marketable skills outside of auto mechanics or pig farming.

stopped from entering Scotland because I had "sexy underwear" in my luggage

The following report regards the Home Office's bullying tactics on discriminating against foreign students. But it is not solely brown and black students the British authorities dislike. Last September I was stopped from entering Scotland because I had "sexy underwear" and lube in my luggage! The Home Office has yet to reply to my written complaint. The UK resents -resents - having allowed so many people of color, many from its former colonies, onto the island, itself, and is enforcing "reforms" to roll back that tide. Roll, roll your boat and your puny industries. The world dynamics can prosper very well with the American and Eastern markets as well as most markets from European countries. I don't know that I have one thing in my apartment that's MADE IN ENGLAND but I have many things which read MADE IN CHINA/JAPAN/MEXICO/USA.

Are there any readers of color who felt they received undue attention from British border officials?

( @RT_com )

So sexy it's a crime

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Excuse the absence in posts. I was locked up.
Read about it here.

Blue Sky Hostel (Glasgow)

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I chose Blue Sky on three consecutive weekends due to the weekend price hikes in Edinburgh. Plus I wanted to check out Glasgow. The dorm rates were a simple 10 euros (by the third visit the price had went up to 11 euros). I had no problem making a reservation over the telephone and its location is not so difficult to find from the Buchannon bus station although it would be a bit more helpful to list their proximity to the Mitchell Library. All in all it comprised about a good twenty minute walk.

The facilities are not bad. There is a community kitchen on the ground floor and free wi-fi downstairs -- if your laptop corresponds to a certain bandwidth or something. Mine didn't. The owner knew of this problem from previous American guests but nonetheless was inconsistent in fixing the set-up. That was just one thing that irked me about Blue Sky Hostel.

the owner is a skinny caricature of an '80s punk rocker with foul-mouth and smokes like a chimney! 

I found this place to be terribly familiar; as in informal and crass. Owned and operated by a Canadian (and his dear old mother) - it took me a while to understand why I found their accents so unnerving - the hostel is run more like his personal frat house or school project. A skinny caricature of an '80s punk rocker, the man is loud, foul-mouthed and rarely shuts the hell up; and smokes like a chimney! 

On one of the wall murals was the word "Nigga" distinctly written in marker...and, no, it was not in homage to my book. The owner's reaction was indifferent. "Oh," he shrugged, "these #%@! people write so much #%@! on my #%@! walls, man." Really? I didn't see Canada Sucks scribbled anywhere.

Oh? I should look behind me, eh!

 What's that you say, eh?

 Dontcha know, eh!

65 Berkeley Street
www.blueskyhostel.com
(Same owners of West End Backpackers Hostel on 3 Bank Street)

Art Roch Hostel (Edinburgh)

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Located on the Grassmarket (West Port Street, to be exact) beneath the grand, imposing Edinburgh Castle, Art Roch Hostel is a converted old Salvation Army barracks with three floors, a cool upper Rec room, an outdoor smoking patio - because everybody in Europe smokes! - and long-term guests who couldn't be farther from salvation if they died and went straight to Hell. I have never met so many socially inept people under one roof -- and I've been inside a penitentiary and mental hospital!

a jerk who put the looey in LOSER

In particular there was one Portuguese jerk who put the looey in LOSER. Everybody hated this fat, friendless turd. But this much can be said of the hostel: it offers great rates, colorful characters, and not a dull moment. Plus there is an old school video game in the lobby (see pic). I got addicted to playing Burger Time.

PS: It is also supposedly owned by the fifth wealthiest Scotsman, Malcolm Scott, a useless point of trivia the long-term guests never failed to impart like Scott was their drinking buddy.

PPS: Considering Powers was threatened and given 24hrs to vacate the premises by the head janitor - in other words, thrown out...by the ugly janitor - I regard the following news updates with a pinch of schadenfreude. Oh yes, y'all, my German is improving....  

• http://www.deadlinenews.co.uk/2012/07/24/backpackers-are-being-ordered-to-leave-hostel/
• http://www.ehap.org.uk/about-ehap/news/hostel-sit-in.aspx

some of my old buddies...and the fat turd

No, I asked for a 'special'

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Being in Scotland has its funny points of which includes the language...or, rather, communicating with Scottish speakers:


At the hostel bar I ordered the bourbon special. Bartender presents me with a single bourbon - Four Roses - and a cup of coffee. "What's this?" I asked. "A bourbon and espresso," he answered. "No," I smiled, "I asked for the bourbon special," pointing at the sign behind the bar. "Bourbon + mixer!"
"Oh!" he said. "Well...guess I'll just drink that," referring to the espresso.

Exercising up Arthur's Seat

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Monday was the end of the gloriously hot weather that bathed Edinburgh. And I'm glad I took advantage of it. I awoke with a stirring to walk up Arthur's Seat...a brisk mini hike for a spot of exercise. Some folks were running - health freaks - but that's not my bag. So I packed a small lunch of bacon sandwich, fruit and water and headed on up! 

After reaching the top I was surprised to realize I'd been there before -- only I ascended from the other side of the hill! Yes, Arthur's Seat is plenty vast and big. Satisfied I headed down, found a quiet spot and sat on a rock to lunch whilst reading a section of news magazine. Sweet.

the peak I aimed to reach. and did.

 from the bottom heading up

 

  and these magnificent views from the top!

Sunny Sunday in Portobello

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Edinburgh actually has a beach town. It's called Portobello (Beach). And as last week was super sunny and warm the natives were plenty restless to get sunburned. There was lobster skin and freckles aplenty!

I had thought to go to the Museum of Scotland but, on second thought, took a bus out to the beach. It wasn't hot enough for me to venture into the water - yes the weather was beautiful hot but not that hot! - so I gladly strolled barefoot on the sand.

 

Met Archbishop in Edinburgh

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As I strolled to Princes Street yesterday I bumped into the Archbishop of Canterbury. I instantly recognized him by his white, bushy eyebrows! "Well hello there," I greeted. "You're the man from Canterbury" as I was momentarily confused as to his actual title; but, no, it was he, Dr Rowan Williams and, for your information, he was without a crowd or entourage. We shook hands - like civil people do - and proceeded on our merry ways

www.archbishopofcanterbury.org