| Halloween 2005 written by Dami |
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| Berlin This month I bring you a report from several cites in Europe. I decided to go on a hunt…. The hunt for the more dark soul of a city. So I packed up and got my shit together. While I did make time to hang with Negative I left the girls to the interview and I was off. As I made my way around Berlin, I wasn’t shocked at the modern scope of it. The original city is pretty much gone. All destroyed in WWII. I started my hunt for the ghosts of Germany in the city graveyards and would you believe it. I found nothing. I started my research at the local Cyber Café and I couldn’t pull up anything on the Occult and Berlin. I found that odd with all the Nazi connections with the occult, but then again that type of History a lot of people don’t want to talk about. Well you would think that a city with this kind of history would have some good womping Ghost stories….Well I thought so! But what I did find is that Berlin seems to be plagued by U-F-O-S……..ok so um are you trying to tell me that the greys can speak German! I mean If I was coming from Fuck all knows where to this planet to do a little partying a little exploring I could see why Berlin would Be a great place. Berlin was notorious in the 1920’s for it’s wild and crazy attitude, Some of the kinkiest and finest Brothels could be found in the heart of this city…. Though it was all destroyed by Nazi Germany and their desire for Purity..( Um Hi guys you took a party town and killed it along with millions of people…. In the infamous words of Mr’ Izzard you NAZI FUCK HEAD) Anyway Off track yet again.. You would think after all that oppression, the bombing and the death this city suffered that it would have never recovered. Nope it did! Berlin is now the hot spot for all you dark and brooding goth types. You can find a trance industrial club literally every night. So when you Hit Berlin don’t worry all you vampires have a place to hang the cape and sink those teeth into, just make sure that the glo ninja next to you is from this galaxy. So on I surfed. I found UFO sightings Biting nuns and even mass Hysteria but not one ghost tale…. What that is just absurd? This is one of the oldest cities in the area…it is filled with horrible history dating back to the Gaelic times and you mean to tell me you have no fucking ghosts! This is the city of the Fleidermaus, Nosferatu and The Grimm Fairy Tales, So I dug deeper.... I found the mystery of the Amber room ( panels made of amber that were valued at 100 million that seemed to vanish after WWII) Did You know: In his famous speech in Berlin, J. F. Kennedy, the president of the United States, announced Ich bin ein Berliner. This is frequently (and willfully?!) misconstrued as translating to the English phrase I am a jelly doughnut. While the German word Berliner indeed also refers to a German bakery deli, and a naive learner of the German language might be lead to believe Kennedy only embarrassed himself, it was actually never conceived in this meaning by the German audience. Well that is good to know! Anyway back to the hunt on ghosties and beasties. After spending much time in the café and interviewing many Berliners as best I could, I came to the conclusion that Berlin....will hold her darker secrets from me. I was saddened by this as I was looking forward to the great darker culture of Germany. Berlin is the goth capitol of Germany. So Back to the gig, get some serious Finnish love from Jonne and then rock out. Next we were off to Scotland and as claimed by the BBC the most haunted place and Britain and let me tell you I was not disappointed. The above faked Photo of a Grey taken in a London Grave Yard. It is not REAL so chill out I will point out any thing that is unexplained for you ok. Lets move on shall we. On to Scotland are light hearted. The terrible history that made us decide to even check out this close was that when Bubonic plague broke out in the 17th century, The city decided to cement both sides of Mary King's close to prevent the disease from spreading. Well it did stop the plague in it's tracks but all those in the close were left to die. It didn't take more than a few weeks for the screams of the trapped close residents to cease. So As you can see you might find a pissy ghost or two... Did you know Back in 1685, a professor at Glasgow University published a book called "Satan's Invisible World" which tells of accounts of ghostly apparitions in the close, and the stories have never stopped. to visit the Haunted Church at the bottom of the Royal mile it has dozens of info on the haunted side of the city, including tours and books full of accounts and personal expediences. I will go back to haunted Edinburgh and finish this cities secrets! But now we should move onto the dark waters of Northern Legend.... The old Greyfriar's Cemetery..We weren't attacked here but Red did notice a large bruise on her fore arm a few days later...It took nearly two weeks to go away and still traces of it can be seen hmmm..Clutz or ghostly attack? Loch Ness...... And its' monster.. The Highlands of Scotland are beautiful and about 5 hours by road away from Edinburgh so it was a long drive. When we arrived the first thing that I thought was 'Wow I can see why there are tales of creatures in this Loch. The water is almost black. The mountain sides with clouds licking over their peaks and the absolute quietness is enough to make this place almost as haunting as it is beautiful. Anyway after a much needed burger and toilet stop we were on our way to find the infamous Monster. We started near Fort Augustus. And though I found a few traces of her. Nessie was no where to be seen. DID YOU KNOW Castle Urquhart. Perched on the edge of Loch Ness, the picturesque castle ruins are the site of the first "Nessie" sighting way back in the 6th century. Walking around the ruins of such an ancient dwelling gives one an eerie feeling. The ruins evoked more of a feeling of "this was where history was made" than some of the slicker, restored castles that tend to have more of an "amusement park" feel. The castle grounds also give you a superb view of Loch Ness. We began our sear on the pier looking into the cruises on the Loch and then we decided to take a closer look. We were there for hours. I found cute little Dogs hairy cows, odd looking elk like creatures and even a wire art piece of Nessie that accepts coins in the mouth of the baby Nessie for Donations to a children's center..But no Actual Nessie. I was getting a little Side tracked. I was tired and hungry and getting a bit run down. So to the shops we go! When I got to the water there was this little green thing.. It was much smaller than I expected. She was fuzzy and well more like a toy..But I wouldn't let that ruin my shots o no so.. I crept down closer... And closer until I was in the water. She was on the rock Bathing or maybe enjoying the sunset as I was just minutes before....The I made a squeak ( as us rubber ducks do when we get all nervous) She turned.. And she saw me. I had my camera set up and snap I got the shot! Next is Milan! All I can say about Milan is that the people are extremely friendly, the drivers insane and the bartenders generous with the Vodka. Unluckily for my loyal readers out there, the only ghost hunting I did was for Black Dahlia Martini at the local bar... Give a duck a break, okay? So I drank too much and got no hunting done. I was going to chat up Grace, Vic, Darin and Alex about this topic but I was distracted by.......a full bar and goth boys and girls in less to nothing..So sue me.. I was out until 5am drinking well..like a fish and dancing to cool tunes spun by Grace, Darin and Alex, (yes, they love me more than you obviously, deal with it). So unfortunately, no Gustie reports from Milan so if you have any tales you care to send me, just drop me an e-mail and until then, I will be recovering from drink and dance compliments of Sarah, Darin, Grace, Victor, Alex and Club Zoe, Milan! Ciao! |
Edinburgh is undoubtedly one of the most haunted cities on earth. In the Royal Mile alone (the
street that runs between Edinburgh Castle and the Palace At Holyrood) there are hundreds if not
thousands of ghost stories. We found several tours for ghostly walks and we went on two of
the 15 offered. So lets start with Mary Kings Close. We were not allowed to take photos inside
the close but I was able to find some to use as example.
The story behind this is both interesting and very dark., The Closes were tiny alley ways that
reached up about 18 stories about ground, you were so close that you could shake the hand of
your neighbour from your front window. The average amount of people in these tiny closes
usually were about 500 or so. There was no plumbing and this is wear we get the term 'loo' At
10 pm all the households from the top to the bottom would toss out their, toilet buckets onto the
alley way crying out Grudy loo. Then it would slip down into the Nor Loch which is now
known as Princes Street.
As we took this tour we learned of the people of the close and the way of life for the richest and
the poorest of the area. They also go into the stories of ghosts and plague and I found it to be
quite enjoyable.
One thing I will warn you of that these closes aren't always quiet most of the underground of old
Edinburgh has recorded and authenticated ghostly sightings. I wouldn't suggest you go if you
street that runs between Edinburgh Castle and the Palace At Holyrood) there are hundreds if not
thousands of ghost stories. We found several tours for ghostly walks and we went on two of
the 15 offered. So lets start with Mary Kings Close. We were not allowed to take photos inside
the close but I was able to find some to use as example.
The story behind this is both interesting and very dark., The Closes were tiny alley ways that
reached up about 18 stories about ground, you were so close that you could shake the hand of
your neighbour from your front window. The average amount of people in these tiny closes
usually were about 500 or so. There was no plumbing and this is wear we get the term 'loo' At
10 pm all the households from the top to the bottom would toss out their, toilet buckets onto the
alley way crying out Grudy loo. Then it would slip down into the Nor Loch which is now
known as Princes Street.
As we took this tour we learned of the people of the close and the way of life for the richest and
the poorest of the area. They also go into the stories of ghosts and plague and I found it to be
quite enjoyable.
One thing I will warn you of that these closes aren't always quiet most of the underground of old
Edinburgh has recorded and authenticated ghostly sightings. I wouldn't suggest you go if you
The other tour we took was the Mercat Ghost hunters tour, Mercet runs many tours and I
would suggest that you plan to take them all. The one we went on was not only very fun but hit
the creep-o-meter ten fold! We started our journey at mercat Cross where they would execute
the locals for everything from murder to wearing makeup...It is said that the Devil was seen a
top the Mercat Cross reading off names at midnight...It is said if you hear your name you should
make plans...it is the announcement of your death.
This tour took us to three grave yards, A haunted close and the vaults of the city. I was sure I
wasn't going to have anything good by this time. I had snapped a million shots and was gagging
for anything. Once we hit the vaults things began to go wrong, My camera wouldn't
work....when it did the pictures were fuzzy. Red felt odd heat and cold flashes, pain and as if
she was being watched. Emma could smell the faint smell of a whores perfume and it wasn't the
chavs with us.. It was more class to it. Red Felt her dreads tugged on and though we were
tempted to goat the watcher we decided it was not in our best interest to piss off the malevolent
ghost, though I did ask him politely to kick over the bitches in the heels who decided that
club wear and designer heels were perfect for traipsing about grave yards and underground
ruins! Yey!
This tour ended with the legendary Greyfriar's Kirk Cemetery. One of the oldest in the heart of
the city. It had old gravestones I had a field day examining some of the more unusual markers
and epitaphs. As you move through these grounds though bare in mind it is the home of a very
cruel ghost known to push bite and scratch those on the grounds. If you get the chance
would suggest that you plan to take them all. The one we went on was not only very fun but hit
the creep-o-meter ten fold! We started our journey at mercat Cross where they would execute
the locals for everything from murder to wearing makeup...It is said that the Devil was seen a
top the Mercat Cross reading off names at midnight...It is said if you hear your name you should
make plans...it is the announcement of your death.
This tour took us to three grave yards, A haunted close and the vaults of the city. I was sure I
wasn't going to have anything good by this time. I had snapped a million shots and was gagging
for anything. Once we hit the vaults things began to go wrong, My camera wouldn't
work....when it did the pictures were fuzzy. Red felt odd heat and cold flashes, pain and as if
she was being watched. Emma could smell the faint smell of a whores perfume and it wasn't the
chavs with us.. It was more class to it. Red Felt her dreads tugged on and though we were
tempted to goat the watcher we decided it was not in our best interest to piss off the malevolent
ghost, though I did ask him politely to kick over the bitches in the heels who decided that
club wear and designer heels were perfect for traipsing about grave yards and underground
ruins! Yey!
This tour ended with the legendary Greyfriar's Kirk Cemetery. One of the oldest in the heart of
the city. It had old gravestones I had a field day examining some of the more unusual markers
and epitaphs. As you move through these grounds though bare in mind it is the home of a very
cruel ghost known to push bite and scratch those on the grounds. If you get the chance
Well after spending money on bobbles and looking for Nessie for most of the day
we felt the cool Scotland air and new it was time to call it quits. But I did find
Nessie of Sorts.....I went out on the water one last time....It was beautiful. The
sky was hazy and dark and the loch was soft quiet and that pitch that reflected
the sky on it's surface and I saw something......
Some RANDOM facts
Fort Augustus is said to be haunted but we found nothing to prove this.
The loch's waters are so dark due to the saturation of Peat in the water
Loch Ness is 22 miles long and 700 feet deep it is ice free all year long.
we felt the cool Scotland air and new it was time to call it quits. But I did find
Nessie of Sorts.....I went out on the water one last time....It was beautiful. The
sky was hazy and dark and the loch was soft quiet and that pitch that reflected
the sky on it's surface and I saw something......
Some RANDOM facts
Fort Augustus is said to be haunted but we found nothing to prove this.
The loch's waters are so dark due to the saturation of Peat in the water
Loch Ness is 22 miles long and 700 feet deep it is ice free all year long.
So as you can see, I got no actual proof that Nessie is in fact in Loch
Ness. However I did get some great pix and have a lovely time with my
own Nessie. We end up heading to the bridge and took a few more
pictures before heading back into Edinburgh. All I can say about Loch
Ness is it is worth the trip. It was beautiful up there and the people were
friendly. The one thing you have to remember it is wet and it is cold. I
froze my tail feathers off. And remember if you get a shot of Nessie this
duck wants to see it!
Nes, (That is what I call her)
Having a moment on the bridge...
We almost had something..
Ness. However I did get some great pix and have a lovely time with my
own Nessie. We end up heading to the bridge and took a few more
pictures before heading back into Edinburgh. All I can say about Loch
Ness is it is worth the trip. It was beautiful up there and the people were
friendly. The one thing you have to remember it is wet and it is cold. I
froze my tail feathers off. And remember if you get a shot of Nessie this
duck wants to see it!
Nes, (That is what I call her)
Having a moment on the bridge...
We almost had something..
Oooo creepy apparition
or smoke from my fag in
front of the lens.. We will
never know........
or smoke from my fag in
front of the lens.. We will
never know........
| Kick ass tours guys it is a must! |
