RockHappenings

[rockhappenings]

This is Steve. If he were a string of words they would be: SAILING, SEA + KIND. He is also South African. 

[rockhappenings]

[rockhappenings]

[rockhappenings]

Bushy Cliffs & Supersplendid Views

It's been a while, and I apologise!

I've been reading and moving lots, but not writing enough.

So I thought I'd write you about one of the things I have been doing 'lots' of lately - tracing the Rock's landscape and trekking its bushy cliffs.

One of the lessons I brought back from my travels, was that I really enjoy trekking. Yes, going on long walks or hikes... for fun! I think its great.

So upon my return to life on this little Rock, something I had previously taken for granted, suddenly transformed into a new playground of discovery and new precipices.

It's literally right next to me. And, well... it's undeniably big and beautiful! So, why not? I should have started sooner.

There must be hundreds of combined known and unknown footpaths that corkscrew their way around the Rock. But the most famous, are those marvelous Mediterranean Steps.

The 'Pillars of Hercules' mark the spot; they gently wind their way around the East face of the Rock, culminating on its spine at the top.

You've got some real steep bits, but you're generally always in the good company of yellow and purple wildflowers and wildlife. Plus, nothing beats the feeling of getting to the top and claiming your prize - that view. That supersplendid view! I can see everything; I'm on top of my little world.

But one of the best bits, is the people I've bumped into along the way. From colliding with some blasts from the past, to my brother spilling the beans on girls, meeting inquisitive travellers or seeing other locals doing exactly what I'm doing...

One of my friends is always teasing me about looking like such a tourist. But if that means that I look like I'm still interested in the place I live in, then yeah, I guess I'm as guilty as they come.

[rockhappenings]

[rockhappenings]

[rockhappenings]

Spray Paint

For the past four years, I've been teetering back and forth from the little Rock, just as so many other students have to!

But now I'm a graduate, I'm a couple years older and I'm back.

All this has ultimately given me that advantage of being able to pin-point lots of exciting areas of growth and change, that have been branching out and about the Rock.

Some changes are difficult to miss, but others require a more sensitive eye. And this is exactly where graffiti slots in! Suddenly, walls are speaking. 

From only seeing silly name tags and generic scribbly writing claiming many public spaces, I've witnessed an incremental pull and enthusiasm towards more sophisticated street art.

This excites me greatly. After all, some of the art I've appreciated the most, has always been the most public.

Street art has the potential to transform worn-down walls into colourful and artistic tales and to propel uncensored creativity to the forefront of our daily lives. It can make your mundane walk to work, school or your car... that little bit more interesting!

I like that it's inherently free for anybody and everybody. However, I'm aware that everyone doesn't share this excitement.

Graffiti or street art can be easily be misunderstood. And it can be especially counter-productive if we continue to load it with negative connotations. 

So I want to give a shout out to all those budding graffiti artists around the Rock: you bear the responsibility of sharing the magic of creativity and being its crusader. Use this power wisely. Add to our beautiful community, don't detract from it. 

Allow art to link us, not divide us.

[rockhappenings]

[rockhappenings]

The Northen Defenses are a hive of historical stories - anyone willing to listen?

[rockhappenings]

Polishing up Tarnished Lines

Now here's something I've been itching to write about: the Rock's forlorn Northern Defences.

In my attempt to do this meandering system of defences an ounce of the justice it deserves, I did what anyone desperate would do - I ran straight into Google's arms... just as a starting point!

That is exactly how I landed on the lap of UNESCO's World Heritage Site. As my eyes scrolled down for any details on the Defences, there was one particular line that demanded my attention: "(Gibraltar) has one of the highest densities of universal heritage in the world". And because of this little fact, the latter decided to crown the entire peninsula as a world heritage site!

So this means that the Rock is bursting with heritage which is not only invaluable to us locals, but also the international community.

They say you learn something new every day, which is true. But learning something that completely reshuffles your perspective, simply doesn't happen every day.

And since I'm in the mood to throw some facts in the air, I can also tell you that these Defences have endured a respectable sum of 14 sieges. Yes, my thoughts exactly!

However the more I paint this picture of national pride and unparalleled historical wealth, the sadder it is when I tell you that parts of it have become nothing more than a display of neglect.

The Northen Defences, or as most of us are guilty of referring to it - the jungle - undoubtedly falls in this forsaken category.

So I want to at least set the record straight. The ND comprises an intricate network of historical tunnels and walls that span out into paths; ironically named the Prince, Queen and King's 'lines'. 

Beyond the mounds of stigma and rubbish, there is green vegitation using it's beautifing powers. And nearby there are also hundreds of metres of siege tunnels (being left to rot away in shame) that could easily be exposed for the awesome structures that they were, and always will be.

So my message is this: dare to explore these hidden historical delights more often. The ND speaks a thousand wise words and stories; it would be a crime to let it be smothered.

p.s Thanks Tommy Finlayson for all your inspiring information.

[rockhappenings]

Beyond these City Walls

I'm going to dive straight into it - I want to stir up thoughts, conversations and interest over obscure places, people and happenings that are idiosyncratic to life on this little Rock.

Let's leave politics out of the equation; I think this will do a lot of us some good. Instead, let's hightlight what isn't being talked about, unveil some glittery secrets and do some fun story telling.    

I'm also keen to find out the answer to all sorts of questions, however silly they may seem! Like what are the origins of the Rock's colourful window frames? Or how long are the tunnels that are carved into it's limestone core?

However, we're constantly fretting over its future. In contrast, this little space will aim to actually throw some light on, and appreciate, the foundations of our present community. Instead of asking, 'where are we going?', I want to know, 'where did we come from?'.

Of course, I'll also be jumping at every opportunity to promote anything creative and sharing any quirky travellers' stories that brush up against this Rock.

And in case you weren't familiar, this isn't just any nameless Rock I'm on about here - it's the British Rock of Gibraltar!

[rockhappenings]