What struck me the most about Scotland’s capital was that it resonated with a pride of place and culture that was not typical of the places I have visited, including the country I come from. Though I only had three days to verify and experience Edinburgh’s pride, it was such a joy to be inspired by its people and luscious greenery.
As a participant in the 13th Leader’s Conference of Sun Life Financial executives and agents worldwide, I did have some idea of what Edinburgh would look like, thanks to countless Hollywood films depicting knights and fair ladies of the court who lived in stately castles atop stunning tree-rich landscapes. But nothing prepared or spared me from the 25-hour flight that took two stopovers (in the cities of Hong Kong and London) and had me sit for five in-flight movies.
The Philippine group headed by our president and chief executive officer Henry Joseph Herrera was billeted at the George Hotel, which was situated at the heart of the city itself, along elegant George Street. And since it was a leisure trip more than a business one, our first day was for settling down and exploring the place. My advice would be to travel real light as airport security was very tight when we visited. And with fewer clothes to organize, you would have more time to be swept away by Edinburgh’s magnificent blend of natural and man-made wonders.
Since Edinburgh was a little far away from home, I hoped I would encounter some Filipinos who had made the city their home. However, I was not able to meet a single kababayan while shopping or seeing the sites. But my Sun Life family was enough to make the trip a truly memorable one.
When visiting a place, especially one whose culture is so unlike your own, I would suggest getting a good tour guide. Our Edinburgh guide was a kindly old gentleman who wore a kilt — every day, mind you — bearing his family’s distinct tartan pattern (called sett). All of us were bundled up in winter jackets and gloves, and here he was literally exposed to the chilling air. When we pointed this out to him, Mr. Sir-in-a-kilt dismissed the notion that he was cold.
The kilt is the traditional garment for men in Scottish culture. It is wrapped around the waist starting from one side, around the front and back and across the front again to the opposite side. Yes, the kilt is similar to a skirt, and our tour guide proudly displayed his family’s heritage everyday. I wondered if I could ever make the same claim back home, and I thought of the banig. With its unique pattern, both at the front and back, it could be our local counterpart to the kilt.
Since Edinburgh was named after one of its royal figures, it was only natural to explore its beautiful castles, which could be the mall’s equivalent in the Philippines. But the most beautiful was the Edinburgh Castle, a proud figure that dominated the city’s skyline from its position atop Castle Rock. It was an ancient fortress that had a rich and interesting military history, not only in the past but also the present. In fact, sentinels still watch over the Edinburgh Castle after visiting hours to protect the Honours of Scotland (crown jewels).
After touring the second most visited attraction in Scotland, we proceeded to lift our spirits up — literally. We headed to the Scotch Whisky Center and learned about the fine art of distinguishing and appreciating Scotch whisky. As with the kilt, an undeniable vein of pride ran through the high standards of what a real Scotch should be. They even mandated such measures with the Scotch Whisky Order of 1990.
For non-connoisseurs of this famous spirit, we were told that a true Scotch should be: distilled at a Scottish distillery from water and malted barley (only whole grains can be added); distilled to an alcohol level of less than 94.8 percent by volume to retain the flavor of its raw materials; matured inside oak casks in Scotland for no less than three years; and bottled at no less than 40 percent alcohol by volume. After the exhaustive discussion and a little tasting, I came to an understanding of certain people’s passion for Scotch. Cheers!
Remember when I mentioned that my introduction to Scotland came from Hollywood films? We were thrilled when our itinerary included a visit to the Rosslyn Chapel, made famous by Dan Brown’s novel and Tom Hanks’ movie of the same name, The Da Vinci Code. The Rosslyn Chapel was shown near the end of the movie, when Sophie comes home to her real family. And with its stunning architecture and cool entertainment trivia (there really were keystones in the roof), the Rosslyn Chapel was a feast for the senses and a treat for Tom Hanks fans in the group.
With the exhilarating experience of culture and food, I had no qualms about celebrating my birthday (April 7) while in Edinburgh. In place of the traditional birthday cake was a traditional Scottish dish called haggis. Its common ingredients are sheep’s pluck (heart, liver and lungs) finely chopped onions, oatmeal, suet, spices and salt. This concoction is then mixed with stock and boiled animal’s stomach for approximately three hours.
And though it was cold and really a long way from my loved ones, to turn a year wiser in another place with another family was unforgettable. It was not just another place, but a city declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and, more importantly, a city whose pride of place was inspiring, at the very least. It was not just another family, but my Sun Life family who had been supportive with each other along the way, through thick and thin.
I know that it’s considered bad luck to reveal one’s birthday wish, but I hope this would be taken in a positive light. My trip to Edinburgh confronted me with a strong and ardent desire to imbue a certain pride on my own country. And as I was invited to speak for one of the three business lines of Sun Life Financials Philippines during the gala dinner, I pointed out the need for three things: a sense of community, a pride of place, and a love of country. When the time comes that we’ve achieved these three things, then I’m sure that the Philippines, and not just Filipinos, will be great once again.
