Categories: uncategorized
Date: 26 June 2005 08:43:27
Decided that I'd do a bit of an A-Z to help anybody who is intending to go to Scotland, but hasn't been on a protest before. This is intended to be a bit of fun ;-)
A is for anorak - you never know if it'll rain. The foldy up ones are probably most sensible.
B is for bag - you need somewhere to put all the leaflets that'll be thrust at you
C is for chocolate to keep your energy levels up (or sweets if it's hot because the chocolate would melt and go all over the anorak and bag)
D is for debit card - for when you find out that there is a must have book to be purchased from Bookmarks or similar and have spent all your money on a t-shirt and hot dog
E is for Edinburgh Guide that the nice people at Make Poverty History have produced to keep us safe and informed
F is for flag - if you want people to be able to meet you in a big crowd, it's useful. It's also a bit more interesting than the standard placard
G is for good book to read on the journey - Edinburgh is quite a long way to go for alot of people
H is for hankie - well, they're useful
I is for inflatable - similar to flags (same purpose - I hope)
J is for juice (or other type of drink) - if it's a hot day you don't want to get dehydrated & you will find quite a bit of just hanging about is involved in the day
K is for keys - don't forget them. You want to be able to get in again when you get home
L is for leaflets - you will be handed lots of these. Remember you want to keep Edinburgh tidy, so if something is thrust into your hand take it home and recycle it rather than dropping it on the floor
M is for money - you may want to buy t-shirts, badges, wristbands or copy of the Socialist Worker paper (just to shut them up & it's always a bit of fun explaining why you won't join them).
N is for Nokia (or other brand of mobile) - remember to keep it charged & keep it safe. The large numbers of people about mean that you should remember to keep your bag with you at all times, etc, etc. Just use your common sense on this one
O is for outfit - dress appropriately. Flip flops probably not a good idea - also the Edinburgh Guide (see E for link) has asked people to ask white (yes fairy wings do come in this colour, so it can still be fun)
P is for police - they are just doing their job so listen to and follow any instructions they give. However, some of them are a little more zealous than others. Be polite to them & in the extremely unlikely event anything does kick off (remember this is the fluffy one) use your common sense, and if you see a police man doing something inappropriate take his number (to make an official complaint) rather than giving him hassell
Q is for queues - there are going to be some, particularly for toilets (just be patient and try to plan ahead)
R is for respect - have respect for those around you. If you are no going anywhere fast neither are the people around you & the stewards, etc will be doing there best to keep it a good day. Also whatever you think of certain politicians they are doing a difficult job so in your letters and e-mails, etc give them a bit
S is for singing - possible chants could be "They say free trade, we say fair trade", "What do we want, trade justice, when do we want it, now". This is where the socialists with megaphones come into there own
T is for toilet roll - take a bit, just in case there is none when you get to the front of the queue for the loo
U is for umbrella - Don't . You have your anorak (see A) and they just get in the way (sorry personal pet hate on demos and @ festivals)
V is for vistors. We'll all be visitors to Edinburgh, causing disruption to the locals - so let's be nice to them. Also as visitors we won't know where we're going so maps are also useful (know this should be under m, but money came up as more important)
W is for White Band. Make Poverty History site is saying they should be 50cm by 7cm with a small message on. Follow instructions on site and have a fun Blue Peter moment with your friends before you go
X is for xylophone (or other mobile instrument) that you can use to make some noise.
Y is for You. Remember you can make a difference
Z is for zzzzzzz........you will need sleep afterwards, it all gets a bit tiring
So there we are. All I would add (that I didn't fit in) would be remember where you are meant to be meeting others, catching your coach, etc. Basically the key to a good, safe day is use your common sense and do what the police / stewards tell you - they are there to help