I thought it was about time I gave you a break from bird photographs, so I’ve scrolled back through Bridge and found something completely different. Scotland!
I had only been there once before when I was about fifteen. My parents had Scottish friends with family in Dundee and we stayed with them for a week. I remember driving through Glasgow on the way there (and on the return journey) and it was in a sorry state. Whole streets had been boarded up and the general impression was of a place in poverty. A place unloved. Googling for some images of the time to refresh my memories, I came across this article in the Daily Mail which shows the situation was even worse than I realised.
So when my husband bought me a ticket to see Andrea Bocelli in Glasgow about twelve years ago, I was keen to see how the place had changed. It must be mentioned at this point, that living in the south-east, it was actually cheaper to buy a ticket, fly up on Ryanair and stay in a cheap hotel than it would have been to take the train to see the same concert in London. It also gave me plenty of spare time to wander around with my old film camera. And wander round I did… until my poor legs nearly gave out. The image featured at the top was taken at the main rail station before I walked along the river to the concert. A slow shutter speed blurs the legs of passers-by.
The Glasgow I saw the following morning was totally different to the memories of old. Gone were the sad streets and boarded up windows. Replaced by flashy new shopping centres and pedestrian-only zones. The only glimpse of the past was on a trip out to the east end. I spent an hour or so wandering around the infamous Paddy’s market. Providing a lifeline for the city’s poor, it also had a reputation for counterfeit goods and dodgy dealings. It was closed back in 2009 and remains derelict today. The image below was taken from one of the many tunnels lined with assorted second-hand goods for sale. The stalls actually ran back much further than I was standing. Right at the far end was a huge pile of scrap metal and wire. It was a health and safety hazard, with pools of stagnant water on the ground, so I didn’t stay long. This photograph was grabbed quickly on my way out.
In spite of the obvious problems, I have fond memories of Paddy’s market. I hung around long enough to get chatting to some locals in one of the cheap cafes. Life was hard as they were growing up and for many, it was still hard. The people were all friendly though and I’m sorry the market was swept away in the name of redevelopment.
The last couple of photographs were taken in Edinburgh the previous year. I had flown up to take part in the Make Poverty History demonstration.
sidilbradipo1
2 Apr 2018What a reportage! Scotland, Andrea Bocelli’s concert and photos of Glasgow: that’s striking a goal to greatness 🙂
The Make Poverty History demonstration shots are awesome!
Ciao
Sid
Zooey
3 Apr 2018Thank you Sid. It was quite a demonstration. We had so many hopes to end poverty, but in the end it all came to nothing…
sidilbradipo1
3 Apr 2018That’s a pity! Poverty is raising everywhere and people live now worser than 10 years ago.
Ciao
Sid
Zooey
4 Apr 2018We’re lucky. We have a roof over our heads, food to eat and even pets to love. I agree though – poverty in general and mass migrations due to wars is definitely on the increase 🙁
sidilbradipo1
4 Apr 2018We are lucky but my dream is that all humanity could enjoy the same sort of luckiness 😀
Happy Wednesday!
Sid
Zooey
4 Apr 2018Yes… you and me too! 🙂