Working in Guatemala

As I held a live chicken in my left hand, sharpened blade in the other, I had an insight into how easy my life in Ireland was. Killing just one chicken for the family we were building a house for was one experience I would never forget.

This was a daily routine for the women of the house – or rather tin shack – who kill chickens for eight hours a day in order to afford some sort of food. There were five people living in what can only be described as squalor.

Our group of eleven students and five teachers had flown 23 hours, and travelled a further six over poor roads to the small village in the Guatemalan mountains, with one goal in mind – to build a house!

The building site was unlike any we had ever seen. The tools were basic, there was a lack of safety equipment and the work was hard. The foundations for the house had already been laid by the charity we were working for, Habitat for Humanity. However, the rest of the bricks were located a distance away from the actual site. The first two days consisted of a production line, passing materials along in order to make the work easier. However, the ground was swamp like making it much harder as we had to trudge through mud and grass to reach the next person.

Following this somewhat tedious task, the building work could begin.

We spent the next eight days battling weather extremities, sickness and exhaustion.

Some days the site would be flooded with monsoon-like rains or the heat would be pushing well over 30 degrees, which prevented the whole team from acclimatising. By day three, two people had fallen ill, one with sunstroke, the other with a stomach bug, which was down to drinking water that was not sanitised.

Each day seemed longer than the last. We were up for breakfast at 7.30am every morning and after a week this number dropped dramatically with people only appearing in time to travel to the unfinished house. The lunch provided, combined with a poor breakfast meant we were losing stamina more and more as the days progressed.

The most inspiring part of the build was the little boy who would be living in the new house, Mario. He was on the site every day playing games with us and causing mischief. Even though he was living in such poor conditions and was not receiving a proper education, there was still a connection between him and all of us. Mario did not seem like he had nothing. As we would complain about being tired and hungry, he would get on with his life laughing and smiling every day. It really hit home.

As we finished the build and had the roof in place, the feeling was indescribable. The amount of pride we felt that our goal had been achieved was overwhelming. When the house was ‘handed over’ to the family, the mother burst into tears and was incomprehensible due to her emotional response. This had a domino-like effect throughout the site and for all our complaining and obstacles we had to battle, both physical and emotional, this made working in Guatemala worth every second.

For more information about Habitat for Humanity and how you can get involved visit, http://www.habitatforhumanity.org.uk/

 

 

Back in Black

Deacon Brodie’s favourite ale, Black Cork, has been re-imagined for a contemporary market which is in the midst of a revival.

Knops brewery recently brought this mysterious ale back to the forefront of an industry, deeply steeped in Edinburgh’s history and folklore.

Following the closure of Bell’s brewery and Robert Keir’s death in 1837, the recipe and ale were long forgotten. Newly revived, it is just one of the many traditional types of ale that brewers are bringing to the mass market. A growing interest, particularly from a younger demographic, has seen a recent boom in sales, giving the ale industry its first growth for half a century.

It is not the exact recipe for Black Cork, however. Founder Robert Knops researched the types of ales that were popular at that time and based it on what he thought it would taste like.

Robert has always been interested in the history of beers and brewing: “I think the public in general had much more interest in foreign beers and it started something as imports increased. Tennent’s was the only thing out there.”

Robert added that micro-breweries focus on the fine details and flavours of their ales, resulting in “the smaller guys taking the market share from the bigger guys.”

Ales have also become more popular due to the added factors, such as consumers becoming bored with lager; the smaller beer duties that micro-breweries pay, and the public’s growing knowledge of ales. It is this knowledge that has led to a rise in the home-brewing market.

A small shop in the corner of Bruntsfield is a starting place for the new generation of home brewers.

Terry Philips of Alba Homebrew noted there has been a rise in the popularity of old tradition: “It was popular in the 1970s but now it is making a big comeback with more people becoming interested. If you like the taste, that is all that matters. It was once made to be as strong as possible but now it is a unique range of flavours that individuals crave.

No matter how good the home brew is people still enjoy a pint in their local.

So with more of us brewing at home, is there a threat to pubs: “No matter how good the home brew is people still enjoy a pint in their local.”

When it comes to local bars, real ale seems to be the emerging choice for many consumers. The Guildford Arms and Cask & Barrel pubs are leading the way in the ale revival.

Stewart’s Brewery, Caledonian Brewery and Knops are the largest three in Edinburgh and Robert thinks this is down to the originality and depth of flavours available. Go to any supermarket today and the range of ales is much greater than ten years ago, giving consumers more choice and variety.

He likened this to the old wine market, saying it used to be stale until new, innovative wines were introduced through imports. “Wine was very basic back in the day and it took years before people started to develop a taste for it and broaden their horizons. The same appears to be happening with beers and ales.”

For many in the industry, real ales are the future. Historical favourites are being given new life. Black Cork, although shrouded in mystery, is a front runner for the real ale industry revival in Edinburgh.

American-Scots; Salmond’s unexpected supporters.

Independence has been a major talking point since the SNP promised to bring it to the forefront of politics following their election victory in 2011. Even now as the details of the referendum are furiously debated, issues surrounding independence look to reshape the politics of Britain for the foreseeable future.

Many Americans proudly talk of their Scottish roots, but there are mixed feelings amongst Scottish-Americans surrounding First minister Alex Salmond’s referendum plans. However, even if these individuals have strong opinions, they will be unable to vote. So, why is there so much interest from these American-Scots?

Chad McGregor, 21, grew up in New York and is now a student at Aberdeen university. He fully supports the idea of Scottish independence: “It would be great if Scotland was independent. It would give people identity, particularly when it comes to their family heritage.”

Chad is involved with a website for the Scottish- American community. His Scottish-American friends plan to travel to Scotland to campaign in support of the referendum, but why?

Some would argue that these Scot-Americans pushing for independence are influenced by some Brigadoon-style fantasy. These romanticised ideas are thanks to a Hollywood version of Scotland that does not reflect the diverse country it is today.

Others see it as Americans returning the favour, as a number of delegates who signed the Declaration of Independence were of Scottish origin – this pillar of American society gives their people the rights and identity that they are proud of, so why should Scotland not have the same?

Emily Herron, an American-Scot living in London, said: “I think it’s great that the Scottish are striving for their independence from the rest of the U.K. They deserve to have a much more active role in their own government.

“People are saying that Scotland is trying to tear down old traditions, but I think it’s more of an issue of independence.

“America felt the need to be independent from the British and now we’re one of the world’s leading superpowers.”

The outcome of the independence referendum, whatever the result, will be controversial and the impact is likely to be global.

If Scotland does become independent following the referendum, there will be major changes within the county’s inner workings. But there will also be international implications.

The United States is currently the biggest export market for Scotland, and there are concerns that breaking away from the united Kingdom will affect these trade relations. Last year £3.5 billion was generated from exports to America.

Scotland has been going through a rebranding recently – it is no longer wholly concerned with whisky and tartan exports. Food, chemicals and business services are the country’s top three exports. This year the tourism board has been pushing Visit Scotland campaigns nationwide in an attempt to promote the country’s diversity.

As the 2014 referendum date approaches, the media spotlight will turn to Scotland. It may be 200 years since America gained independence and several generations since Scots set sail for the new land, but their descendants are now taking an active interest in Scotland’s future.

The Technology Era

The social and working worlds as we know them, have changed forever. Technological developments have brought society into a new era that nobody could have foreseen. The advent of social media and the birth of the Smartphone has enabled people to comment on daily life, pinpoint their location on maps and connect to every corner of the globe almost instantaneously. But how has this affected the way we work?

Most professional workplaces these days expect – if not demand – that their employees have smartphones, tablets or laptop. This is a microcosmic symptom of a large-scale change in our work structure, one that insists that employees are always contactable and always available. Indeed, the age-old excuse “I’ll get back to you when I get back to my desk,” is no longer an option. Arguably, this type of marketing strategy has developed at the expense of the employee, with the proviso that businesses always appear active, vital and ready to go taking precedence over staff wellbeing. The world of Facebook and Twitter not only allows employers to track the whereabouts of their workforce, but also gives them an insight into what their staff are thinking and doing even beyond the office walls.

Ironically, social media is anything but ‘social.’ Once upon a time it was a toy so to speak, for teenagers to share content and discuss their lives with peers. Now, it has become a focal point for corporate culture. Without it, companies lose their competitive edge over rivals. The use of these tools has become necessary in every day trading.

Whilst there is no doubt that Twitter and Facebook work wonders to improve the profile and profits of companies, fulfilling the role of the ultimate advertising tool by improving business communication and generating valuable networks at the click of a button, if used carelessly these social networking tools can just as easily jeopardise company stability, risking public relations and reputations that have taken companies years to build.

Take the likes of Ford, Chevrolet, Hertz and Starbucks. All these multi-national companies regularly use Twitter to inform the public of promotions, progress and internal developments. Even if you do not follow these companies directly, tweeting relies on the ‘third-degree connections’ created when someone ‘re-tweets’ this piece of information and in this way the number of audience members reached is practically immeasurable. Such advances show clearly how technology has aided businesses to become more sophisticated in their advertising. It doesn’t take a Darwinist to see that those who have adapted to these technologies will be leading the pack for a long time.

Smaller firms too are refusing to be left behind. Whilst local companies used to rely on being contacted by phone, by letter or even in person, now the quest to find any sort of company begins with a search for their website, their Facebook page or their Twitter account. After all, who would invest their time and money in a business that appears to be failing to move with the times? In an economical climate such as the one we live in, consumer decisions carry more weight than ever and companies cannot afford to make the mistake of thinking that social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook are irrelevant or insignificant. Technology has changed inestimably the relationship between the company and the client. Perhaps the real uncertainty now lies in the illusion of progression. With technology having advanced at such a rapid pace during the last ten years, it seems likely that the technological age is finally running out of steam.

Although it appears that technology has reached its peak for the time being, Apple are leading the way in innovation and product development. The most recent i-Pad outdone the previous version and it raises the question as to where this technology giant is going next. As companies fight for a slice of corporate success, it appears Apple control the majority of the pie.

News Round Up – Audio

News round up by myself.

HWSU amend Constitution

HERIOT-WATT’S Student Union (HWSU) saw changes made to the existing constitution following the recent AGM.

There had been calls for more clarity within the union’s structure following the departure of Michael Bottom as president last June. The main focus of the meeting was to pass the new constitution to further engage students with the union.

This led to the agreement that a structure change was needed to make the union more open and representative. It also agreed on a call for greater accountability and transparency in the work that HWSU is doing in order to improve the student experience.

Mike Ross, President of the union, said this “puts the students at the heart of what is being done”. He also described it as a new chapter in the union’s history which will see the lives of students being improved.

These amendments include; a review of the constitution every five years, any further amendments must not conflict with the union’s charitable status, amendments must be ratified by the University’s Court and in order for changes to be made it must have two thirds of the majority vote.

However, although the changes have been approved, they still need to be implemented. The new structures laid out are still to be put in place. Mr Ross also wanted to stress that he will be ensuring as little bureaucracy as possible under the new constitution. This is so students can see real change happening quickly within academic affairs, campaigns, activities and services. 

Mike Ross told The Journal: “In making changes to the constitution we will ensure clarity in our governance processes and cement in place our newly formed trustee board.”

“This will lead to us being more effective as an organisation and in turn lead us to being more effective at improving the lives of our students.”

The AGM also saw the launch of a strategic plan, the first in the history of the Union. This sets out seven key themes for the future of representation at Heriot-Watt. In order to achieve this ‘vision’, an operational plan is being developed in order to translate the bold statements in the strategic plan to tangible projects that will get worked on in order to ensure that the students of Heriot-Watt are listened to and get the most out of their Union.

Panda Power; Has China found the perfect product?

The WWF have adopted it as their logo. China is said to have replaced the dragon with it. And Edinburgh Zoo have just received a breeding pair.

But what is our attraction to the Giant Panda?

It is arguably one of the world’s most loved and recognisable endangered species. It is estimated that there are only 1,600 left in the wild and 300 in captivity. The Chinese have been running a breeding programme since 1963 and this has been praised and criticised alike. Although it has been successful at slowly increasing their numbers, attempts to release these animals into their natural habitat have been unsuccessful. It is hoped that 100 pandas will be released into the wild over the next 50 years.

But, this raises the question; why bother? The aim of conservation is to have enough species left in the wild to ensure survival and this has not yet happened. The answer – Profit.

China has found the perfect product. A teddy bear that is worth $1m year.

They have monopolised the product by ensuring that every cub born is of Chinese citizenship. This has allowed them to cash in on zoos worldwide that wish to improve business – It is a statistical fact that zoos with pandas increase their visitor numbers by around 50%.

The panda costs five times more than the next most expensive animal; an elephant. Therefore how does it benefit the UK economically – Increased tourism yes, but does this cover the costs?

Edinburgh Zoo has to pay £600,000 each year to China to lease the giant bears, netting the country a profit of £6m over the 10 year lease. This profit is generated directly from the pandas. When new trade links and such are factored in, this figure is likely to be much bigger. The final figure that China receives is likely to be much greater than that of Scotland. Edinburgh Zoo will of course see a profit generated but the country as a whole is unlikely to see any of this.

Pandas are very similar to Britain – They consume a lot and do not go anywhere. This chilling thought is a reminder of our economic position when compared to China, the new emerging superpower. A country that is improving every day.

If Tian Tian and Yang Guang produce cubs during their time in the UK, there will be a whirlwind of publicity. The cubs, however, will belong to China and have Chinese passports, thus ensuring the continued monopoly they hold over the animal. These cubs will stay for at least 4 years and history has proven that if a pair breed successfully outside of China, they are more likely to have their lease extended – which ultimately means more revenue being generated for China.

The trade relations and publicity around the pandas also raises profile. In the past, they were used as a diplomatic tool and some still argue that this is the case. Going as far back as 1972 when President Nixon received two pandas after a visit to China, trade relations between them and the USA improved vastly. In 1974, British PM, Edward Heath then did the same, based on this success.

By 1984, the Chinese had latched on to this success and the 10 year loans at $1m per year began.

China’s success at embracing an endangered species raises the question as to whether or not other countries will have the same money-spinning idea.

There are only eight northern white rhinoceroses left in the world, but Africa does not have the means or the money to do the same as China. If they did begin a programme, there would certainly be criticism that the country is investing in conservation of an animal and not its people who are subject to famine and drought. But the Rhino is not the most attractive of animals, as superficial as that is. If you want endangered and cute – The panda is where you look to.

The Giant Panda in many respects is the symbol for wildlife conservationists. It represents the efforts behind ensuring that another animal does not become extinct. However, has China played on this. Has the country taken our feelings and love for this bear and monopolised them into a money spinning project. As the public see a rare animal being brought back from the brink of extinction, the Chinese are seeing millions of dollars in lease agreements, publicity and trade relations that no other country can cash in on.

RoN to raise its head again

With the Edinburgh University Student Association (EUSA) elections fast approaching, the effect of RoN (Re-open Nominations) is once again being addressed.

Following its influence in last year’s elections, the EUSA have taken steps in their new constitution in order to control it having as big of an affect.

Also an official thing from EUSA that got handed to us the other day reads:

“The Sabbaticals decided that RoN shall be re-introduced as a separate candidate once elected in an election of multiple candidates. This means that RoN being elected 1st, 2nd, or any other position, will not discount and ‘RoN’ all other candidates who place after it in a vote, (as it did in the last election). RoN will simply be elected in place of that position, and will be re-introduced into the process

There are 80 seats available in this years by elections and the EUSA are hoping that the steps taken to control RoN will make the process run smoothly and ensure that it is fair for all candidates.

Students will be able to vote online between Wednesday 12 October and Friday 14October.

Volcanic Heart of Guatemala

Guatemala’s Lake Atitlan was once described as the “most beautiful lake in the world” by author Aldous Huxley. Today, it is used as a gateway to many native Mayan villages for tourists, and its volcanic origins offer much more.
The lake lies in Antigua. A city surrounded by mostly dormant volcanoes. Wherever visitors decide to stay, it is only 20 minutes walking distance. The boat leaves once a day at 10am and costs Q55 (Quetzal), but some hotels offer a discount on this if bought in advance. As the two-deck boat leaves the dock there is a sense of excitement and adventure amongst passengers as a lake, which shimmers in the sunlight, also has a dark feel due to its volcanic surroundings. The journey across takes two hours but it is worthwhile as sunbathing on the top deck of a boat in 40 degrees heat is an encouraged pastime. Alternatively, there are plenty of breathtaking views.
The lake is surrounded by three magnificent, ancient volcanoes, responsible for the natural beauty of the area. Their slopes are covered with dense forests which are centuries old and this has become home for a few Mayan settlers who can be seen through the trees. As the boat approaches the dock a bustling market comes into view. Hundreds of shops and stalls are crammed between churches and historical monuments and the local goods make interesting purchases. It is possible to barter with the traders and it is advised as generally the final price is the true value. This is the perfect opportunity for visitors to buy gifts for loved ones. The selection of oil paintings, statues and jewellery are perfect tokens. The return trip takes longer as there is a chance to dive from the top tier into the warmth of the lake. A thrilling experience with an end result much like being in a Jacuzzi. Upon arrival at the dock there are a range of restaurants looking out over Lake Atitlan. There is nothing like enjoying a delicious meal while watching the sun set behind the volcanoes.
If experiencing a volcanic lake is not enough, there are daily excursions to Volcano Pacaya, one of the region’s most active volcanoes. It last erupted in May 2010. If tourists wish to undertake the climb, it is advisable to go early in the morning; otherwise it will be a descent under a dark sky. The bus takes little over an hour and costs around Q12. An entrance fee of Q40 is required which some may see as a reasonable price for a National Park, and for the experience. It is possible to have a guide or, for those not keen on the climb, it can be done by horse or donkey.
The climb to the peak itself takes an hour and a half, with the hardest part being near the end as you negotiate and clamber over uneven volcanic rock from past eruptions. The ascent is quite difficult as travellers walk under a blazing Central American sun through beaten tracks and with tree roots trying to trip you. To add to this, apart from the uphill battle, the heat from the volcano intensifies, making it even more difficult. If visitors do not wish to go to the peak, there are excellent views and photo opportunities just prior to this. However, going the extra distance is a rewarding experience, as the immense heat from the lava flowing around you and under the cracks in the ground takes over. At this point it is time to grab some marshmallows and cook them over the lava; a unique experience that you are bound to never forget.
Although the descent only takes around 45 minutes, it is tricky. A different and more steep path is used in order to keep a flow of people. There are also more loose rocks and some leaps need to be taken along the way in order to take the safest root. However, the satisfaction afterwards is sure to be enough to stop this acting as a deterrent. Daniel McCrisken, a geography teacher at a school in Northern Ireland takes pupils to Guatemala every two years and had this to say; “It is wonderful that the public have been allowed to climb and appreciate a natural phenomenon such as this in a safe manner. I highly recommend it.”
Antigua lies at the heart of a volcanic Guatemala and is awash with history. Its cobbled streets are maze like and each has a new discovery. Churches, markets and monuments are only in place to entice travellers further in to what the city holds.

Panda Preparation

Sitting in an office within the zoo, the sense of pride is evident. The walls are littered with framed, front-page articles from national newspapers and they all say the same thing; Edinburgh is getting pandas.

The announcement in January this year that Edinburgh Zoo will receive two giant pandas was extremely exciting, but the build-up to their arrival is even more so.

Duncan Fisher, head of media relations, has been speaking about preparations for Tian Tian and Yangguang’s arrival in September. He says that work has just gone underway on their enclosure, which used to be home to the gorillas. He goes on that “the aim is to build an environment which is as natural as possible towards the pandas’ natural habitat.” It is understood that pictures will not be released until the enclosure is finished as the zoo are working in “milestones” in order to maintain public awareness.

Receiving pandas from China is not an easy process. It requires extremely delicate discussions and careful planning. It has taken Edinburgh nearly six years to secure the deal. Historically, pandas were used by China as a political tool to forge relations with countries. It was known as “Panda Diplomacy.” Today, it is more a case of allowing the world access to these rare and magnificent creatures. When the pair arrives, Edinburgh will be the third zoo in Europe to hold the creatures, which is raising hopes for declining visitor numbers. When Adelaide Zoo in Australia received their pandas, visitor numbers soared by 70%. Mr Fisher said that the zoo did not wish to get their hopes up but they have made a “conservative estimate as to the effect their arrival will have, and that it looks hopeful.”    

A team has recently been sent to China to meet the pair and their current keepers for the first time and witness the pandas in their current environment. After introductions, discussions will be held to arrange transportation and to begin training for the pandas’ care over the next decade. Duncan explains “there will be a dedicated team with one particular main keeper in charge of daily care and who will be fully trained to ensure that it is provided to a perfect standard.”

However, there has been much criticism over China’s gifting of pandas due to the money it costs to maintain the animals. It is estimated that the pair’s stay will cost Edinburgh Zoo £6 million and this has been met with outrage by tax payers. However, the hopeful rise in visitor numbers is said to be enough to cover this on a long term basis. It is also hoped that people who visit the city for the pandas will also visit other monuments such as the castle.

With only a few months to go until the pandas’ arrival, Edinburgh Zoo will be extremely busy making preparations and ensuring that everything is perfect before unveiling these creatures. As the zoo is operating in “milestones” it is very difficult to get a clear picture of what the coming months hold. There has been no decision as to how the pandas will be unveiled. Speculation has been made around special ticket prices, extended opening hours or a raise in price for a short period of time. However, Mr Fisher made it clear that it is “early days” and that the main priority is the pandas but that “it is a very, very exciting time for the zoo and the pending arrival of the pandas demonstrates the RZSS’ reputation for animal conservation in the world”