Goodbye New Lanark

I've written and re-written this post at least ten times now. The past week or so has been nuts between finalizing brochure content, setting up an entire new exhibition plus fetching my brother from the airport and stashing him in my hostel room for a few days. Now that I have OFFICIALLY completed my internship with the New Lanark Trust (!!!!), I have time for half a breath while I repack to set off on my travels with Quinton .

As I'm writing this "goodbye" post I'm simultaneously starting the reflection process for this part of the journey. This means that my thoughts are jumbled and range everywhere from being completely humbled and grateful for the many wonderful people that have helped me along the way, to giving myself three hundred pats on the back for adapting and thriving in a foreign country.

There's no doubt in my mind that I couldn't have had a better supervisor for this internship. My boss, Jane, went above and beyond my expectations for this journey. She entrusted a lot of responsibility in me and didn't hesitate to give me multiple projects - which for someone who loves the rush of working on things and tweaking details down to the last second, was perfect. But it was the hospitality she showed me outside of work that really made this special. She included me in community and family events that really provided me with the opportunity to experience and understand the dynamics and customs of this culture. This, and the fact that she rocks five inch heels on the cobble stones and six flights of stairs at New Lanark, makes her outstanding in her role as a mentor. 

It was strange to say goodbye to the people in the office. Six weeks in a work environment can fly by when there are so many projects afoot and it's just enough time to start feeling settled and in your groove before your time has run out. New Lanark has such an impressive variety of talents working at their site and because of that, this historic mill, over a century old, constantly feels like it's moving forward and growing thanks to the creativity and vision of its employees. 

New Harmony and New Lanark, although their history is intertwined, are so very different. However, learning more in-depth history about New Lanark has given me a better understanding of the material I talk about when I work at the Visitors Center in New Harmony. I was also more than happy to dust off my New Harmony tour guide monologues for guests or even workers at New Lanark that didn't know much about Robert Owen's purchase, vision and time in Indiana. 

I'm sad to leave this place. The people, the atmosphere, the constant presence of carbs and champagne (Scotland's two mascots, I've decided) have been greater than I could have imagined. I'm sure I don't fully comprehend how much I've grown over that past month and a half. It's kind of  "sink or swim" when you head out, alone, to a foreign place, but I'm proud of myself for swimming. I've spent a lot of time alone - traveling, exploring, dining, sightseeing - and at times it can be lonely, but ultimately I think I've learned a lot about adapting and I'm seeing the world in a different way.

Without a doubt, I could babble on and on about the effect this internship has had on me (fair warning to all those that talk to me upon my return home), but the fun isn't over! Quinton and I set out for Inverness in the morning and thus begins the second half of my summer. Packing for a second time was no less stressful than the first time, but at least I'm packing clothes designed for the heat and sun. Love you, Scotland, but I need to catch some rays. (Which won't happen in Inverness but hopefully later destinations like Spain.)

Fear not, I'll still blog while Q and I travel! Although I'm confined to just using my iPhone, which I find has an effect on my writing skills.

Warning: future blogs could be less professional.

Cheers!
TGT

Lanimers

I survived Lanimer Week!

Not sure what Lanimers is? Me either. I don’t know the whole history but I’ll do my best to briefly describe it and the week of celebrations that took place.
I knew that Lanimer Day was going to be a big deal in the weeks leading up to it for a few reasons.
 1. Every single person I’ve met asked if I would be here for it.
2. There were laundry lists of events going on for the duration of the week.
3. They started hanging flags and banners a good week and a half before the actual celebration.
4. My boss gave me Lanimers (Thursday), the day before and day after (Wednesday and Friday) off of work.
5. The celebration stems from a charter granted in 1140. People don’t just let traditions, with that longevity, just fall by the wayside.

Many communities in Scotland have Gala Days, but since Lanark is a Royal Burgh, it has Lanimer Day. And don’t you dare say “Happy Gala Day!” because someone will correct your disgusting, heartless mistake. There is pride in that Royal Burgh title. I’m not completely positive who or what a Lanimer is but I saw a man in a slightly terrifying horse costume with a sash that read “Larry Lanimer” - he could just like horses though. Regardless, Lanimer Day and many of the rituals and traditions that go along with it are held in very high esteem by Lanark natives and it turned out to be an extremely impressive community event.

By Sunday, nearly every house in Lanark was decorated with colourful flags and their gardens in prime, show-worthy condition. Even if you weren’t hosting anyone at your house for a Lanimer party, the garden still got tended to. Restaurants and pubs along High Street (equivalent of a ‘Main Street’) got fresh coats of paint, while the shops and other businesses of Lanark prepared to close their doors so they could join the day full of events.

Monday kicked off the week with The Marches; a tradition dating back to when Lanark was granted the charter of a Royal Burgh. To carry on with this title, each year the elected Lord Cornet rides with the ex-Cornets to check the boundary stones of the town to ensure that intruders have not breeched the lines or taken any land. It sounds farcical, but tradition is tradition, folks! Hoards of townspeople fill the streets to follow the Cornets on The Marches. I’m told I was in the presence of some 1,000 people and together we trudged through fields and mud and private lands until we came to a large open field. Here, we symbolically rested, just before the finish, to open the snacks and booze we’d all been carrying in backpacks for the entire trek. And I don’t mean “we”, as in the people I was with and I, snuck wine along. I’m talking the whole flock of marching citizens, pausing to consume Pringles and spirits before finishing the jaunt. And what do you do at the conclusion of such a journey? You head to the pubs covered in mud and grass, of course! Perhaps the fun of drinking in a field is the draw for some people, but whatever the reason, I was extremely impressed with the amount of Lanarkians – young, old and four legged – that gave up their evening to join the customary hike. It says a lot for the esteem these folks have for their traditions.

The first picture below is the beginning of The Marches. Not my best photography moment but I was attempting to not trample dogs and children. You still get an idea of how many people there were (I was stationed near the middle of the pack so there’s loads more behind).

This photo is the only one snapped during the “rest” in the field. My mouth is conveniently full of chips – but at least I managed a smile! I was tempted to leave it out, but I’m standing in a field in Scotland, drinking wine out of a plastic cup with muddy strangers. It needed to be documented. The branch I’m so proudly displaying also has a purpose; it’s birch and has some symbolic meaning but I was told three different stories and I’m sure I wouldn’t relay any of them properly.

Another (less exiting) march was held on Tuesday as the Cornets rode to New Lanark to check the boundary stones on this edge of the Royal Burgh.

Wednesday was a day full of preparation and gorgeous weather that I spent in town, basking in the anticipation and getting assaulted by old women in the super market (yes that happens in Scotland too, unfortunately). The weather was so nice that I, once again, skipped the bus and walked back to New Lanark with four bags of groceries, cosmetics and wine. I think it speaks for itself that I miss the sun and don’t intend on wasting it when it makes an appearance here, even if my arms fall off.

Thursday… The day you’ve been waiting for… Lanimer Day! It was an early day that started off with beaming sunlight that forced me to break a sweat during my 8am journey up to town. By 10am, the parade had started and I was shivering. Good ol’ Scotland weather. The never-ending festivities were full of bagpipes, drinks, lorries (floats), schoolchildren dressed up for the parade, meals in the garden, the procession of the Lanimer Queen and her court and socializing at pubs.

Did periods of slight drizzle halt the celebration? No, this is Scotland. Did the fact that your stomach was about to explode from eating all day keep you from seconds? No, someone slaved over this food and it would be rude not to overindulge. Did your thirst keep you from the excitement on the streets? No, the pubs used plastic cups and for this one day a year, drinking in the streets is allowed. And yet, with all these elements you would think this is the perfect recipe for out of control partying. Again, no. People thoroughly enjoy this day of customary events. Yes, there is drinking that starts early and ends late, but the people in attendance at Lanimers are truly proud of their heritage and have a great time without going overboard and tarnishing the name of their town and it’s most famous day.

Friday was recovery for all. I was told “if you don’t look awful the day after Lanimers, then you didn’t really celebrate Lanimers” and I think I rose to that challenge. 12 hours of sleep was needed to recover from the previous 8am-1am day I’d had.

The closing ceremonies, if you will, for the week was the Lanimer Ball. A posh, black tie event that I got way too excited for because let’s be honest, I miss dressing up for high school dances. There! I said it! Any excuse to wear fake eyelashes and drink champagne is an event I want to be involved in. Unfortunately, there were no more tickets left for the dinner by the time I committed to going. However, my fabulous boss gladly helped me gate crash so I could join in for the dancing and post-meal glamour.

What a week, right? I felt as though I was neglecting my blog but after rattling all that off I’m surprised I remembered to call my mom. The summary for the week: it was a blast. There was clearly a lot going on, so I thank you for sitting through that rundown, my apologies on its lengthiness.

I’ve written about how great the timing was for this internship as far as the projects and opportunities at work go. Now add in that I was able to be present and involved in this eventful week of traditions, and I have seriously got to hug whoever chose the dates for my journey. The work is fantastic and never ceases to be educational, but being immersed in the culture and adapting to the pace and traditions of this community is bringing it full circle.

Less than two weeks left. Where does the time go?

Cheers!
TGT

Learning the Ropes

     I have officially completed my first exhibition set up! And a joint exhibition, at that. Plus I survived a Scottish hen party. I double deserve some fish and chips, right?

      New Lanark's "A Tale of Two Institutes" exhibition with Lanark Library was already in the works and development was pretty far along by the time I arrived in Scotland so I wasn't involved in much informative panel content or picking the archive pieces to include. However, I was able to write and edit captions and choose the stands, displays and plinths for all the material. The real fun started when we spent more than two work days doing set up at the New Lanark site and in the library's display area. We spent hours scrubbing glue off the case windows, staring at and adjusting arrangements, and cleaning up our giant mess in the archive room. Sounds pretty glamorous, right? I guess it's not everyone's cup of tea, but I've never been so heavily involved in that kind of process and the work is rewarding.

      Overall, the coolest part about this exhibition was the material I handled for the displays. For example, the book I'm arranging in the photo below was published in 1708. That's decades older than the Declaration of Independence, my fellow Americans!

      The best part about being an intern is that I don't have to know how to do everything (even though I pretend to). My boss, Jane, has such a meticulous eye for detail and is a wizard at set ups so to be able to shadow her and hover while she works has taught me a lot. Here are some photos during and post set up.

      Now that I have been here for a few weeks and proven that I am a mildly competent human of acceptable intelligence, I've been tasked with greater responsibilities! I am now working with one of the volunteers to create a new brochure about the production and sale of the wool and textiles made on site in New Lanark. I also get to start the planning and development for the next exhibition "Bowls, Books and Bagpipes" which centers around sports and leisure in New Lanark/South Lanarkshire in celebration of the Commonwealth Games being held in Glasgow this year. I know what you're thinking, "you've only got four weeks left there". Right you are! The rest of my time here will be extremely busy so I will just go to sleep now.



Cheers!

TGT