Epigram 346 - The Croft by Epigram

Wellbeing Rethink and reframe your goals| p.6

Food Veganuary -what was your experience? | p.11

Style An imterview with Claire Neil | p.14

Travel Experiencing Paris during the strikes | p.21

the croft

Fresh in February Staying up-to-date with goals and aspirations this term

the croft issue 7 | february 17 2020

Editor Daisy Farrow Deputy Editor Hendrike Rahtz Digital Editor Emma Holding

the croft editor’s no tes

In the few weeks since our last print of The Croft (and innumerable times prior) I have been panicking about the inevitable prospect of the end of my final year at university. What this has meant for my Christmas break is that I’ve spent every waking moment in terrified contemplation about what I’m going to do after I graduate, and how on Earth I can possibly make enough money to move out of my mum’s house before the age of 30.

Welcome back to a new term in Bristol from everyone at The Croft!

These very fun moments of reflection have led me to doing something which I vowed I’d never do: I got a LinkedIn. An interview with Claire Neil by Style on pg.14

Day 1 of LinkedIn consisted of me trying to find the most businessappropriate photo for my profile, and struggling, as I have none, and then spending hours uploading my various impressive qualifications to my newly made profile (a joke, as I barely passed my GCSEs.) Day 2 was spent trying to find people to ‘connect’ with in order to stop the constant onslaught of notifications telling me to make them, to no avail. My total connections as of date are my boyfriend and his flatmates, so I’m clearly making big advances in the world of business and adulthood. To be honest, I’ve had LinkedIn for about 2 weeks now - and all I’ve done so far is follow Sadiq Khan and Bobbie Brown, neither of whom have anything to do with my desired field of journalism. I think I just followed them in the hopes of them following me – a 20-year-old student from Bristol – and thus making another connection. No joy so far. All it’s taught me is that there are way more successful 20-year-olds out there compared to me, and that I may in fact be unemployed and homeless for the foreseeable future.

Dry January - worth it? Food discusses on pg.12

However, despite my negative comparisons to others, this may not necessarily be a bad thing. After my time spent on LinkedIn, I think we need to stop putting so much pressure on ourselves to find a job straight after uni. Going from three years of lectures and assignments and then immediately launching ourselves into a full-time job, whilst admirable, is not for everyone. You have every right to spend the next few weeks (or months!) after graduation bumming around your parents’ house, wasting the last of your student loan on nights out, and ultimately, doing nothing. Don’t bow to pressure or expectation to secure yourself a 38k-a-year job as soon as you’re passed your diploma. Take a break, and do what you want. You have all the time in the world to figure things out.

D aisy Farrow

The Croft Editor

New Year’s Resolutions - Wellbeing discusses how to keep them realistic on pg.6

48 hours in Barcelona - Travel guides you on pg.20

Dear

consult

‘Unrequited lecturer love’

“

Most of my lecturers fit the archetypal professor stereotype (old white men), so I was particularly taken aback when I strolled into dreary old LT3 on a Monday morning to find a hunk before my eyes. Monday mornings, despite a previous aversion to them, grew to become the highlight of my week. Allow me if you think this is creepy - I googled it, and lecturers are technically allowed to date students (so it was worth a shot). The upcoming essay gave me good reason to get myself known by regularly attending office hours and sharing a long email thread. However, when trying to step up our relationship up to the next level, it became clear to me that my flirting abilities were not sufficient for him to put his career on the line (sadly). Maybe it’s a sign that my bad dates with rugby lads and immature uni boys are not over yet.

“

Epigram

‘Love is a dangerous game’

“

This one time I almost broke my boyfriend’s jaw during sex. I was lying on the bed, and he was down by my legs, slowly kissing up my body. He tells me to take my pants off, and in a moment which can only be described as over-eager stupidity, I don’t even give him the opportunity to get off me before I raise my legs, sending my knee straight under his chin and smacking his jaw back. It made that really horrible popping noise that jaws do when they’ve been forcefully shut, combined with his grunt of pain and shock. I think it even made him bite down on his tongue accidentally, because his eyes widened quickly and his bottom lip began to wobble. I honestly thought he might have started crying. I apologised profusely, and we cuddled instead. But I’m still not too sure if he’s even forgiven me to this day.

thecroft...

My friends don’t like my boyfriend - despite only meeting him once. I don’t know what to do, because I’m really happy but my friends don’t see it that way.

Perhaps it might be a good idea to arrange for him to meet them again, maybe at a pub or somewhere social so that the atmosphere isn’t awkward. Maybe you could even go out, so that talking isn’t really involved but you’re all there to have a good time and it might put your friends in a better mood. Seeing you have fun with him might change their minds. Just give them another chance - it’s upsetting, but sometimes it takes friends some time to get used to their mate having a partner!

I am scared for January exam results - I know I didn’t do well, and it’s scaring me to think how much it will impact my overall grade. If this offers any consolation - sometimes when I think I’ve done badly, I’ve surprised myself and actually done quite well. The low self-esteem sometimes comes in handy as you do better than you expect - and when your expectations are low, anything you get is good! However, it’s only halfway into the academic year and it’s unlikely one bad set of exams are going to throw you off completely.

I’m struggling to find an internship to do in my summer before third year. A lot of my friends have got one, but I’ve had no luck. First of all – don’t panic! It’s not a necessary thing to do in that summer, so don’t put pressure on yourself and feel bad about it – remember, once you actually get a full time job, 3-month-long uni summers won’t exist anymore, so make the most of them! If you’re set on it though, apply to as many as you can through various sites and maybe even try things you didn’t think you wanted to do, as any experience is good experience.

Love, your Editors x

“

Have a story to submit to Bristol in Bed? Or a burning question for Consult the Croft? We are taking submissions by anonymous Google Forms, available on The Croft’s Facebook Writers’ Group.

Leah’s lookback at graduation As the end of university looms for those in their final year, Leah Martindale shares her top tips for the big day

Epigram / Leah Martindale

Plan your day properly. Get everything in order in good time - particularly getting your professional photos done early. It doesn’t matter if you think you don’t have time, or you’re worried you’ll bloat - you won’t - or you’ll feel sick. Eat before graduation. Do not make the mistake I made of graduating on an empty stomach - bar two Valiums,

banging the champagne reception for six hours, and then taking my professional photos officially funked up. Not only did I ask for a background of the Eiffel Tower or the Vegas Strip, but when the photographer informed me he had neither maracas nor a feather boa, I told him it was the worst photo-booth I’d ever been in. Don’t forget your guests. Yes, it’s your big day, but I guarantee your mum, dad, and Nanna Linda don’t want to stand around watching your mates make Boomerangs for half an hour. Much like a beloved pet, or a baby, families need to be distracted with shiny things and snacks throughout the day or they will get cranky. Keep in contact. If you’ve ever been to the Royal Mile on the first day of the Fringe, you’ll know how genuinely stupid crowds can be. Bystanders will descend on the Wills building like locusts in a biblical plague, and if you don’t set a meeting spot - not the Wills lawn, Einstein - you can lose your friends within seconds. It’s horrible to think, but this could be the last day you’ll see some people, and your friends will vanish into crowds or slip out of champagne receptions like smoke through your fingers. If you see someone you want to talk to, don’t think you’ll see them later, because you might not. Give

them a hug, get a picture, and celebrate your time together!

“

Laugh loudly and cheer for your friends!

Entertain yourself. People don’t tell you this, but graduation ceremonies are really long and, at times, bloody boring. You get into the Great Hall what feels like years before anything happens, then you sit and watch some old people in big cloaks you don’t know bring loads of old cutlery in on sticks, then you spend literally an hour clapping for people you’ve never seen in your life. When you line up with your friends, fix your gowns, and hear your name called it’s fun. It’s exciting. It’s nerve-wracking! When you sit still for over an hour, roasting hot in a massive gown… less so. Wear what you want! No one is judging you, no one cares if you think your hair is messy or your shoes don’t bang with the outfit. Laugh loudly and cheer for your friends! Be confident and proud in your achievements. Dance with your friends, hug your lecturers with their consent, of course - be bold and brave and have banter. This is your day, don’t forget it.

All nighters - worth it?

Epigram / Hendrike Rahtz

aving survived the first exam season - and post-exam party season - your Croft editors have contemplated the wonders and misfortunes of missing a night’s sleep. Whether it be to frantically write an essay, or to two step all night in Lounge, we are divided on its benefit. And what best to do when struggling to come to a decision? Make a pros and cons list.

Pros

If you’re one of those mysterious creatures who works best in the depths of the night, then all nighters will be far more productive. Securing the attention of a potential partner in the ASS is easier when there are less candidates for them to choose from, namely, at 3am.

Going home on a night out before ‘afters’ may risk missing out on the most exciting activities of the evening!

“

ake it from me: graduation will come and go in the blink of an eye. You’ll take regrettable photos, spend a long time sitting around, and suddenly have a degree in a tote bag and a cute postcard from an old person for your troubles. It’s eventful. With that in mind, here is my foolproof guide to making you less of a fool on graduation.

Cons If you forgo your night’s kip for the sake of a night out, then you are likely to feel full of regret the next day. If your night’s sleep is forgone due to a looming deadline, you are still likely to feel like death the next day, but without the fond memories of Mbargos the night before. Lack of sleep has the very real potential of ending in crippling anxiety, particularly if the night before was spent on the Triangle.

My commitment to New Year’s resolutions The trials and tribulations of making commitments to New Year’s Resolutions December 31: The 31st December rolls around once again and whilst out for New Year’s cocktails the chat inevitably turns around to resolutions. This year, for the first time in a while, I actually have a few to share with the group, so clearing my throat I smugly announced that this year I will be giving up social smoking (with cigarette in hand), get back into reading for pleasure, and will only buy one new piece of clothing a month. This last resolution evoked a torrent of laughter from the group, and as a confessed shopaholic I understood their scepticism but with sustainability talk constantly in my ear I felt I was up to the challenge to reduce my fashion carbon footprint.

January 8: Some cracks are starting to show now... and after a few cheeky cigs on a night out – which don’t really count if you’re drunk, right? – I am now feeling less motivated to maintain my resolutions, and even succumbed to buying a stunning pair of Alexander Wang jeans (at a ridiculously discounted price too good to leave) but this can be the one piece of clothing I’m allowing myself to buy a month so all is not lost! January 15: Reading for pleasure is going strong and after handing in two pieces of coursework, I am enjoying sitting down and getting stuck into Jeanette Winterson’s latest novel.

January 24: January blues have truly settled in now and I am craving the release of endorphins that buying clothes gives, and after a shopping trip with my mum I seemed to have bought a GANNI raincoat, Zara jumper, and a new pair of ankle boots. My bank account is looking considerably lower and I am just wishing I never made these stupid resolutions in the first place. January 27: Back in university now and truly cannot afford to buy anything new; however, in the clothes shop I work at staff sales has hit which means that for all sales items 70% is taken off the sale price and then our 25% discount is added on top, so naturally I went a little crazy and came away having spent over £100 pounds and am too ecstatic to think about the money. At this point New Year’s resolutions feel like a distant memory. January 31: Thankfully, we are at the end of the month. The stats are as follows: number of cigarettes smoked is approximately 50, number of clothes items bought is 17 (not including shoes, of which I have bought 3 pairs), number of pounds spent is well over 400, and number of books read is 5 which I am pretty chuffed with and is something I am definitely trying to keep up. So evidently my resolutions flopped pretty epically, but hey - there’s always next year.

Morgan Collins, First Year French and Spanish

Epigram / Morgan Collins

January 5: After a trip to Bicester Village, which for those who don’t know is a designer outlet shopping centre, I am feeling very pleased with myself. I managed to abstain from buying anything new (despite being very tempted by a beautiful pair of Zadig & Voltaire boots), and honestly it was refreshing to browse without the pressure of having to find something new to buy. Cigarettes consumed are zero and I even managed to finish a book on the fashion industry called ‘How Luxury Lost its Lustre’ – I am going strong.

January 20: YIKES! Now on my way home from the pub and have just had a quick look in my bag to see I have polished off two packets of fags; how did this happen? I must have been sharing them out with everyone, yes that’s what it was – I can’t have finished two whole packets could I?

Wellbeing

Editor Bethany Harris Deputy Editor Rosie Angel-Clark Digital Editor Diana Toma

Rethinking the resolution

Eve Coleman considers how to update this tradition to benefit us all

New Year’s Resolutions can be a great way to incorporate positive habits for selfimprovement into our lives. While the ‘New Year, New Me’ mentality can often warrant an eye-roll, there is something exciting about the ability of a new year, and in this case a new decade, to motivate enhancement and advancement. You need not despair if January has seen the death of your resolutions: it’s not too late to hit the reset button to make 2020 ‘your year’! Epigram / Patrick Sullivan

Ka tya

membership fee. Research has shown that around one quarter of people will abandon their New Year’s resolutions after just one week and only around eight per cent of people will confidence in our ability to achieve our accomplish their goals by the end of the goals. year. While the typically short-lived nature Some of us know that our motivation of our resolutions is often humorous, it can will be short-lived before January has even be problematic in exposing us to a defeatist arrived but self-belief and determination attitude from the very outset of the year, are essential if we wish to make our leading to the flippant abandonment of our aspirations a reality. Alongside this, it is aspirations for self-improvement. important to be gentle with ourselves and Yet resolutions do not have to be a selfaccept our imperfections - the odd slip-up punishing tool of inevitable failure, as there here and there should not lead to a guilty are many ways of reforming the tradition abandonment of our goals, but rather serve to aid our chances of success. The first as a reminder of why we first desired this step is to swap large and vague goals such lifestyle transformation. as ‘lose weight’ or ‘increase productivity’ In personal experience, this year I have for specific, attainable targets with clear found it helpful to follow programmes planning and measures of success. Greater specifically designed for New Year ek clarity in targets may look like ‘workUout h /amelioration. Dusting off my yoga mat, I ate nsplas Pr three times a week’, ‘get eight hours of sleep have been following the Yoga with Adriene a night’ or ‘limit phone usage to one hour ‘Home’ series of daily yoga practices, drawing per day’. These enable us to explicitly track motivation from the knowledge that our progress, offering a sense of fulfilment hundreds of thousands of people around which will increase our motivation to remain the world are in peaceful warrior alongside

me! The improvement in my strength, balance and energy levels is profound and it’s refreshing to find love for my body in the mobility and power that it enables, rather than falling into the often-negative trap of ‘fitspiration’ motivated exercise. Regular yoga practice has also helped me to focus on mindfulness- clearing time in my often busy and distracting schedule for intentional breath and movement. I have also been taking part in Veganuary as the New Year offers a fantastic opportunity to transition to a plant-based diet, especially with the many innovative vegan releases from mainstream chains and supermarkets. Eating with compassion and environmental impact in mind has transformed my concept of nutrition and experimenting with vegan recipes has invigorated a new passion for cooking. Being part of the online Veganuary community has been hugely beneficial for meal inspiration and encouragement to avoid the post-Christmas cheese boards!

Epigram / Rosie Angel-Clark

committed to the goal. Equally important is to tailor our resolutions to our preferences- if improved fitness is on your agenda then find a form of physical activity that you enjoy and look forward to in your week, be that athletics, dancing or roller derby! We are much more likely to incorporate lifestyle changes that bring happiness into our long-term daily routine. Finally, attitude is fundamental to the success of resolutions - we must have

Epigram / Eve Coleman

he first week of January. Gyms are crammed full of poor souls sweating out the Christmas excesses in a miserable attempt to fulfil their ‘get healthy’ resolution. By March, many will glance at their bank balance and realise that their only involvement with the gym has been paying their monthly

Battle plans against the body

and mind

Layla Nathan describes her journey towards self-confidence

efore we start, there are two philosophies which are important to this journey. Luckily, they can bbe summed up in trite phrases, easily printed over an image of a forest or lake and hung up on an A-level Philosophy class wall. The first is as follows; the best time to plant a tree was ten years ago, the secondbest time is today. Self-image is hard to change; it’s essentially waging a war against that voice in your head that asks you why you exist in the same reality as Victoria’s Secret models. It’s not an easy journey but as always, the first step is the hardest. The realisation that change is needed came to me when I was about 14 or 15, I noticed that every time I looked in a mirror, ig I automatically thought negative thoughts. ra You m look fat in that, your hair is terrible, why are /you Ro so ugly? sie Angel-Cl The first step is recognising that you want that voice to shut ark the fuck up. The second philosophy is the most important to remember and vital to the method I used to learn to love myself: Fake it ‘til you make it. After noticing that I was essentially bullying myself every time I saw a mirror, I started fighting back. I had a plan. Every time I thought something nasty about the way I looked, I would say two compliments. It usually went a little like this: “Ergh, you look terrible”... “but your lipstick is a lovely shade and your eyelashes look good today”. As you can tell, this method involves talking to yourself a little, but the idea is you are trying to change your own mindthis means a little persuasion. The compliments are easier to start small when they are related to things you can control like your make up or clothes, it’s less daunting than actually trying to love your body from the starting line. I personally found jewellery very helpful, but that may just be my magpie tendencies. I’m not thinking about why my boobs are so tiny when there’s a shiny gold thing on my neck. I may have a massive spot, but I’m distracted by my sparkly earrings. And if you really think about it, you know you deserve to be adorned with pretty things. But Layla, that’s just focusing on the wrong things! I don’t love myself more, I’m just iced out now! An understandable objection, dear reader, but you may notice that now when you look in a mirror your first thought is a compliment rather than a Regina George style bitch fest in your mind. After faking it, this is the making it bit. The more you habitually compliment yourself; you start to unconsciously do so. Your inner subconscious bully has been defeated, let’s move on to the conscious one. I found it very hard in the past to even think about my body or my face for an extended amount of time. I said something i Ep

ra m

La yla N athan

nice in the mirror but that doesn’t mean I wanted to linger, for that led to doubts, second guesses and the return of my internal narrative in which I was the most undesirable woman on earth. The way to get out of this involved a lot of thought to myself and this was undoubtedly the hardest part. I was first spurred onto this line of thought by my mother. She was telling me how much she hates her nose. Until that point, I had never even considered that my mother was anything but beautiful. Then I noticed everyone in my life listing the things they would change. Friends who were curvy wanted to be thin, my thin friends wanted more curves. My friends with great teeth, lips, noses and eyebrows all wanted to wipe their features and change everything. I had been so caught up in hating myself that I didn‘t see everyone else doing it. I had been so busy looking at my face with a critical eye I missed the fact that in doing so I was comparing myself to the people around me, and when I looked at the people around me I wouldn‘t change a single thing about any of them. And I know they wouldn’t want me to change either. If I were to believe that I am all the worst things I ever told myself that I am, I would have to believe that every single instance someone complimented me they were lying to my face. I would have to believe my friends, my mother, my father, and everyone else that I loved and trusted in my life were untruthful every time they said something nice about me. In reverse, I know that whenever I complimented someone, I was always being sincere and so I was forced to change into the perspective that I am beautiful. That reasoning is how I learned to love myself. One thing I hope you can take away from this is compliment people as much as possible. That might just be what convinces them to be confident even for a few moments. Of course, there are moments of doubt, wavering and general bad mental health days. Especially after going on Instagram and comparing myself to everyone‘s perfection. But comparison is the enemy of happiness. The first step is recognising, then thinking about what I can do to change in this moment, then fake it until you make it. Post a thirst trap. Here is around where I should put a disclaimer; this is just my journey; it may not work for you. But this is about confidence and speaking what you want into existence, so I’ll start for you. It will work, you can love yourself, you deserve to love yourself, you are beautiful. And if you’re thinking to yourself ‘no I’m not’, come and find me and call me a liar to my face.

Breaking the stigma: talking about mental health Hillary Chang addresses the still-prevalent prejudice

“

Compassion and kindness go a long way

“

ental health has long been encumbered by degradation, and for many it still remains a deeply unpleasant topic due to societal stigmatisation. Unlike physical health, mental health is still widely shunned, and talking about it is sometimes still seen as taboo. Despite achieving some transparency and acceptance in recent years, the plethora of negative stereotypes surrounding mental health are yet to be fully abolished. Many people still find themselves unable to seek support out of fear that they would be negatively perceived by their peers, family and wider public, and suffer in silence instead. The problem with bottling it up is that it will only result in an accumulation of unresolved feelings and problems. Long gone is the stereotypical idea that women are the most mentally vulnerable; it is now recognised that men are as equally as prone to depression and a host of other mental health issues. Health statistics reflect a stark increase in the percentage of men diagnosed with depression and other mental illnesses in recent years. However, these statistics do not represent the men who are struggling but are reluctant to seek help due to societal expectations of men being obligated to maintain a strong, emotionless and aloof image. The social contempt that rises when men express any fragment of emotion can become overwhelming. Consequently, suicide now holds one of the world’s highest mortality rates, proving just how precarious mental illness can become when left untreated and devalued. Many still fail to regard mental illness as a real and tangible issue. It is certainly not uncommon for people to trivialise the severity of mental illnesses, from dismissing depression as a ‘phase’ in early adolescence or nascent adulthood to using the term ‘sadness’ as a synonym for depression. So what exactly can we do to dispel the harmful myths and preconceived notions surrounding mental health? And how can we ensure that the voices of people struggling are heard, validated and expressed? The first step is to understand that mental health does not discriminate and affects both men and women alike, as well as people from all ages and backgrounds. Mental health is very much like physical health, and both deserve to be recognised as of equal importance and to be taken as seriously as the other. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. This is because the majority of symptoms attached to mental illnesses are ‘invisible’, making it difficult to discern that someone is genuinely struggling, when sufferers have

been socially conditioned into remaining reticent about their condition. It is much more challenging to detect these symptoms when an astonishing number of high-functioning individuals are able to conceal their emotional distress and mental agony remarkably well, appearing to ‘have it together’ and masking the fact that they are waging an enduring internal war. Society’s perception of depression is usually associated with an individual showing signs of visible distress or tears, when this is often far from the case. When one falls physically ill, the initial instinctive form of action is to quickly consult a doctor, or to be on medication until one fully recuperates. There is also hardly any shame in telling others that one is down with the flu, as many regard physical illness or disability as a valid and legitimate reason to not be able to function productively. Subsequently, when one is dismally diagnosed with a terminal illness or cancer, it would make no sense to delay help until the symptoms begin to exacerbate or deteriorate. It is thus no different when it comes to mental illnesses. Prolonging the wait for help only aggravates the situation and could potentially lead to tragic outcomes. So why should anyone feel abashed for seeking support, or be admonished for being on antidepressants? Asking for help should be actively normalised, and men and women alike should feel safe and comfortable in coming forward with their struggles and emotions without fearing judgment or being inundated with backlash. Apart from acknowledging the gravity and magnitude of mental health, it is equally crucial to understand that in order to cultivate a habit of having open and honest conversations, we should respond to people who are struggling mentally from a place of empathy and understanding. It is far too common for people to be dismissive towards the feelings of others by issuing perfunctory and dismissive responses when someone is in a mental plight, as this only discourages individuals from seeking help. Compassion and kindness go a long way, and by taking little steps, we can together make sure that mental health is no longer a subject of taboo.

To gym or not to gym? Ellie Crabbe discusses cheap and easy alternatives to the gym

Epigram / Ellie Crabbe

This is an obvious one, but running is such a great, free way to exercise. You can tailor it to your own ability and it takes a fraction of the time that going to the gym does. Whether you go it alone or buddy up, events run throughout the year that you can aim for, like the Great Bristol 10k in May. Another brilliant initiative you could try is parkrun, a 5km run that is held at hundreds of locations nationwide at 9am on a Saturday morning. There are two in Bristol:

4. HIIT workouts

one takes place at Ashton Court and the other in Eastville Park. It’s free, it gets you up and out of a weekend and running with others is always motivating and uplifting.

Short, intense and rewarding, High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is perhaps the closest you can get to the gym without the gym. Typically, around 20 minutes, you rotate a series of exercises with 40 seconds on, 20 seconds resting. You can choose the exercises you would like to target whatever different muscle groups you like: an ab-focused HIIT could include a plank, sit-ups and crunches in rotation.

2. Yoga If you’re looking for something slightly less strenuous, that’s still going to work your muscles well, try some at-home yoga. There are thousands of free tutorials available on YouTube, for all abilities. For beginners, I would recommend looking at professional yoga teachers, such as Madeleine Shaw or Yoga with Adriene. Adriene does 30 day challenges, which help you build your flexibility by practising for 20-30 minutes each day. The online community in the comments also helps keep you up with your challenge. Best of all, you don’t even have to leave your room as you can do it on your floor. If you don’t have a yoga mat, don’t worry – a blanket works fine, and if it turns out to be a hobby you love you can treat yourself to a mat.

3. Walking

People often forget the health benefits of walking and see it as a chore rather than something positive.

Epigram / Ellie Crabbe

1. Running

However, walking, especially in hilly Bristol, is a great way to exercise. Keeping a good pace, you can raise your heart rate and explore your local area, or some of the beautiful scenery Bristol has to offer: the Harbourside, the suspension bridge and all the many green spaces.

Epigram / Ellie Crabbe

The gym has reigned supreme as the dominant leisure and fitness location for many years. It is a huge industry, with an estimated 9.9 million members in the U.K. They are not without their merits, offering the ability to exercise in all weather and almost any muscle in the body, but gym culture can be daunting and memberships expensive. However, free alternatives are out there and with some trial and error you are sure to find the right exercise for you. Whether you prefer to stay in the comfort of your bedroom or get out and explore Bristol, there’s something in here for you:

In winter, when it is hard to drag yourself out of bed, try Yoga or HIIT from your room and as the days get longer and the sun gets brighter take the opportunity to get out to exercise. We are spoilt for choice here in Bristol with all the beautiful green spaces and city scenes to exercise in – who needs a gym?

Food

Editor Deputy Editor Deputy Editor Digital Editor

Virginia Campbell Emma Bayley-Melendez Jessica Gadd Ruby Griffiths

Best Vegan Restaurants in Bristol Tess Skelly highlights some of Bristol’s best vegan offerings in light of Veganuary Koocha Mezze Bar by the Arches is a Persian restaurant that exclusively serves vegan food, including vegan tapas. Alongside standard Persian staples like falafel and hummus, Koocha also offers more traditional foods such as gaymeh, an aubergine and lentil dish, and koopa, similar to arancini. On their non-tapas menu, check out the vegan dirty fries. They also have a wide cocktail (and mocktail for anyone keeping up with dry January) selection.

Epigram / Emma Bayley-Melendez

oing vegan has never been easier thanks to the increased publicity of the diet and trends such as Veganuary, and vegans are spoilt for choice for restaurants in Bristol. Here are a few of the best vegan restaurants in town: For sit-down restaurants: Burger Joint have some amazing vegan options (including vegan milkshakes!) and enough meat options to satisfy everyone in your friendship group. They have seven vegetarian/vegan burgers to choose from and twelve sides. Plus, with the customisable menu you can create any combo you like. Make sure to check it out from Sunday to Thursday when students get 15 per cent off.

For casual restaurants: Better Foods on Spike Island have a consistently tasty range of salads, hummus, savoury pastries, and baked goods. They have a wide variety of vegan food, and many of their foods also cater to other allergies/diets such as gluten free. It’s quite pricey though for a small café, although with the sofas and tables available this would be a good place to study during exam season if you like background noise. Who says vegan food has to be healthy? If you’re craving junk food, head to Oowee Vegan on Baldwin street. They have an impressive range of burgers, ‘chicken’ burgers, and dirty fries – all plant based.

Epigram /Tess Skelly

Café Kino, a not-for-profit co-op in Stokes Croft, have a good selection of burgers, salads and sandwiches during the day, and they’re a great place to get a vegan breakfast. Another nice feature of Café Kino is their artwork. They feature local artists so check it out when you next visit as you can buy these prints. This is a great way to support independent creatives in Bristol.

Food

Veganuary Reflections

Tabbi Candy looks back on her month of Veganism and reflects on how it will transform her eating habits in the future

Some of these questions I was able to answer straight away, as it’s now well known that many people live perfectly healthy lives on a vegan diet. In terms of getting the right amount of nutrients, going vegan has allowed me to take more notice of what is actually in my food and what I need to be eating to maintain a healthy diet, something I didn’t think too much about prior to Veganuary. My motivation behind doing Veganuary was mainly due to the climate emergency. A study from the University of Oxford suggests that eating a vegan diet could be the ‘single biggest way’ to reduce your individual carbon footprint.

Epigram/Jessica Gadd

Of course, I also wanted to try it out to see if eating a plant-based diet would come with any instant health benefits, and for more moral reasons against the unethical treatment of animals by the agricultural and meat industries. I could go into countless facts and statistics that back up these claims, however, I feel the benefits of going vegan are relatively obvious, and there is plenty of information available if anyone wishes to find out for themselves. In terms of taking supplements, I am aware many vegans take vitamin B12 supplements, as it is naturally present in animal products and not plant-based food. However, many fortified cereals and fortified non-dairy milks contain vitamin B12, so personally I did not feel the need to take any supplements.

“

Going vegan has allowed me to take more notice of what is actually in my food

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fter an indulgent Christmas, full of turkey, cheese and chocolate, my family were somewhat surprised when I announced I would be doing Veganuary. I have never been the kind of person to get behind any kind of strict diet, with my go-to phrase being ‘everything in moderation’ whilst I would quietly overindulge in a whole packet of biscuits during a Netflix binge session, staying ignorant to the recommended serving suggestions. So it’s no surprise that my declaration came as a bit of a shock to those who know me. It fuelled many interesting conversations often starting with ‘but where are you going to get all your nutrients from?’, ‘won’t you need to take supplements?’ and ‘isn’t vegan cheese gross?’ Quite frankly, the pessimism only fuelled me to prove the haters wrong.

While there are many fantastic vegan alternatives, there are some animal product foods that simply can’t be replicated to the same quality in vegan form. Cheese is one them. Don’t get me wrong, there are some solid attempts at vegan cheese, however I found it difficult to find a vegan cheese that could perfectly replace my preferred mature cheddar, parmesan or creamy brie. My simple solution was to cut cheese, including vegan cheese, out of my diet, which was easier than anticipated.

Being a student, my go-to vegan meals needed to be cheap, quick and easy; three words that aren’t often associated with the vegan diet. The lazy options consisted of beans on toast and any simple pasta dish. When I was feeling a little adventurous I often relied on Miguel Barclay’s Vegan One Pound Meals, with personal favourites being ‘mac & no cheese’ and the ‘stuffed butternut squash’. A great revelation

Epigram /Jessica Gadd

was discovering so-called ‘accidentally vegan’ foods. As the name implies, these are foods that aren’t specifically made to be vegan, but just happen to have no animal products. Gloriously, these include bourbons, Oreos, and Lotus biscuit spread (apologies for the biscuit focus, very telling of where my interests lie). So even my bad snacking habits were not hindered by doing Veganuary. I am lucky to have been in Bristol for the majority of January, as vegan options when shopping or eating out were not scarce. I have been able to try a range of plant-based milks, with oat milk being my personal favourite, even receiving the high accolade of ‘milk of choice’ in my tea. Looking back on this month, I can safely say I have learnt so much more about the food industry and have found Veganuary a lot easier than I expected it to be! Going forward, I am likely to relax my newfound vegan diet slightly in light of going out for meals on special occasions. I will also perhaps allow myself to occasionally indulge in special treats, as passing mini eggs and crème eggs in the shops has been emotionally painful. I admire those that have the willpower to fully commit to the vegan lifestyle, and those who are taking small steps to change their diet in light of the climate emergency, the treatment of animals or personal health reasons. Everyone is on their own journey and every effort counts.

Was Dry January worth a shot? Kofo Ajala reflects on dry January Epi gra m/ Ko f

ja l oA a

ry January was harder than I thought. December was undeniably filled with celebration and drinking. Christmas, New Years and my 21st birthday all fell within this festive month and following this boozy season, my liver and I decided that Dry January might be the sort of break that my new and fresh 2020 self would need. Don’t get me wrong, my December escapades don’t really reflect my typical drinking habits. With party after party this social butterfly really did spread her wings a bit more than usual. Plus, it was my birthday month which seemed reason enough to let loose and let the drinks fly. This is especially true since most of my gifts were some kind of alcoholic beverage, so I currently have a much larger stock pile of alcohol than I can usually afford in other months. For me, Dry January was more about discipline than anything else. I’m not ashamed to admit that I enjoy a drink or two at the end of the day, living out my middle-aged fantasy at the end of a long day. It wasn’t necessarily a desire to break out of a habit, rather just that I could prove after a very eventful December that I had little issue in creating new ones. I’m not really one for big New Year’s Resolutions but I always thought that there would be something really gratifying from being able to say that I stuck to this for a whole month. The first week of January was probably the most obvious obstacle for me. The season celebrations hadn’t completely come to a halt yet so I was still going out to bars and small gatherings where I would usually enjoy having a drink or two. It wasn’t that it was necessarily hard to say no to drinking. It was more that as a social drinker I’m quite used to having a rum and coke in my hand. It just helps to get the conversation flowing a bit more and loosen up my anxieties when I’m with big crowds of people. Plus, when everyone around you is drinking it admittedly becomes a lot harder to shake the feeling of wanting one too.

Epigram / Emma Bayley-Melendez

After the first week of Dry January I was back in Bristol, continuing with exam preparation alongside working on applications and my dissertation. Even though there were less occasions that would have called for a drink compared to the beginning, it was still difficult to deny myself one. It’s awfully cliché but at the end of a long and stressful day, sometimes all you want to do is lie on the couch with a cold drink watching some trash TV. The January revison season has always been really hard on me mentally so I like to enjoy the little rewards I give myself when I can. And with an abundance of trash TV flowing in, courtesy of Winter Love Island, the temptation was truly there. Some chamomile tea was just going to have to do!

Epigram / Emma Bayley-Melendez

Overall, I’ve come to the end of the Dry January journey and I am proud of myself. It’s definitely not the biggest sacrifice ever but my body and my wallet did get the rest that it needed, and I would definitely try doing it again. Until then, I need a drink.

New Year, new you? Healthy recipes to get you through

Jessica Gadd offers up two tasty recipes to make healthy eating a little more fun this winter Ep ig r am

In a large saucepan, prepare some chicken stock in boil-

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ica

Chicken Ramen: ing water. Add crushed garlic, finely chopped ginger

and spring onions, and simmer gently for five minutes.

2. Next, add coconut milk and the suggested quantities of soy sauce, rice wine and fish sauce.

3. Measure out the curry power in a separate bowl and carefully mix with a spoonful of the broth until they are completely combined. Then add this back into the ramen.

4. Cover the broth and turn down the heat. In a separate saucepan, boil the eggs for five to seven minutes depending on how you like them cooked. Once done, replace the boiling water with cold water and leave to cool until serving.

5. Add sliced mushrooms, chicken and egg noodles to the soup and simmer for a further five minutes to heat through.

6. Serve into bowls and finish with half an egg, a wedge of lime and chopped coriander.

Balsamic Winter Salad:

1. Peheat the oven to 180 Â°C. 2. Chop the red onion and red pepper into large chunks and scatter onto a baking tray. Drizzle with olive oil

and balsamic vinegar and place into the oven for 15-20

Ingredients:

minutes.

Cooked chicken, 1-2 chicken (or vegetable) stock cubes, 1 can of coconut milk, 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp rice wine, 2 tbsp fish sauce, 2 tsp mild curry powder, egg noodles, a thumbsized piece of ginger (finely chopped), two cloves of garlic, a bunch of spring onions, mushrooms, a few wedges of lime, a handful of chopped coriander and 2 eggs

Ep ig r am

3. Prepare the rocket and basil in a bowl and then add the chopped tomatoes, mozarella and balsamic-glazed onions and peppers.

4. Start heating up a pan on the hob and toast the pine nuts over a high heat for 1-2 minutes. Scatter over the salad once done.

5. Dollop a few teaspoons of pesto over the top and serve with balsamic vinegar and extra-virgin olive oil.

ica

/J ess

dd Ga

Ingredients: 1 red onion, 1 red pepper, a handful of pine nuts (optional), a pack of baby tomatoes (halved), a pack of mozzarella, rocket leaves, a handful of basil leaves, a few teaspoons of pesto, 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar plus more for serving and extra virgin olive oil

Style

Editor Orin Carlin Digital Editor Laura Mallinson Deputy Editor Lilly Hill

‘Can you paint my face on the back of a denim jacket?’

Kirstyn Evans interviews student artist Claire Neil about her fabric painting skills

t’s quarter to one in the afternoon and I’m sitting in the Society Café, by myself, trying to not overhear the conversation between the two women sitting next to me (Sarah, if you’re reading this, dump him). I said to Claire that we would meet at one o’clock which by my time is naturally half twelve; I don’t get anything to eat or drink either, so I’m – quite literally – the picture of social awkwardness.

When Claire arrives she seems hurried (like most of the customers at this busy lunch time) but nonetheless chirpy. We exchange pleasantries and I start stalking her Instagram for the pieces that I love. Being from the heart of South Wales, the type of artwork Claire does is new territory for me. I’ve never seen artwork on clothing before, so I wonder whether it was an easy transition from canvas to clothes. ‘I was a bit nervous at first,’ she tells me, ‘the first thing I ever painted was something really old that I’ve had for years, but it was actually a lot easier than I thought. People are always surprised - it is obviously different, it is a very different material to paint on – but so far so good!’ There’s no need to worry about Claire’s artwork disappearing either; all items are machine washable and completely water safe. If you go onto Claire’s Instagram page @claires_artwork_ you will notice a few pieces that she paints more often than others. More specifically The Creation of Adam – is this a favourite piece? ‘Yeah I think so! I did it on a pair of jeans first, and they were quite popular. I think it changes over time. Some things I paint and say, “it’s the best thing I’ve ever done” and then the next week I won’t like it anymore. I quite like The Lovers jacket that I’m wearing now.’

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@clai

But does the artist source her own canvas? ‘With jackets I quite like to get them secondhand, which is easy because most jackets are one-size-fitsall.’ I assume that sustainability then, must be a goal. ‘Definitely. When I found out about how bad fast fashion is for the environment, I was surprised but being in Bristol there are so many second-hand stores.’ She’s right – Park Street alone houses a handful of vintage and second-hand shops. ‘Well, before I knew anything about sustainable clothing, I was always buying new clothes. I would be in Urban Outfitters every few weeks getting something new. I think it is good in Bristol that we have so many second-hand stores and I do know a lot of people who have recently taken on the fast fashion boycott. I think it’s getting better.’ I agree but we can all do more. Not every event needs a brand new outfit, Kirstyn!

Look fire despite the ice Annelise Moses offers some night-out staples to keep you warm and cosy

xams are finished; deadlines appear far away. The Triangle is clearly calling your name. However, as winter drags on, the thought of leaving a blanket-ridden sofa scantily-clad, adequate outerwear out-of-sight, makes a night at Bargs seem slightly unappealing. With only a bottle of your favourite vodka-mixer concoction to warm your shivering body, you might leave the house thinking ‘We could just stay in with a bottle of wine and make our own fun…’

My key for keeping warm on a cold winter’s night, aside from wrapping up in a million layers (which doesn’t really bode well in a stuffy club/bar), is always a long-sleeved crop top or bodysuit. In the winter, I always find myself veering towards darker colours but if unlike me you are slightly more adventurous with your wardrobe choices, most of these options come in a variety of colours.

12.50

,£ TOP

TOP, £18 | ASOS

After just recovering from the galeforce winds and heavy showers of Storm Brendan, it appears the terrible winter weather is not letting up. This February is set to be the coldest since 2013. Therefore, perhaps instead of relying on those (although admittedly everfaithful) VKs to keep you from freezing on a night out, more practical attire is advisable - saving you from a killer hangover too!

AL TY G | NAS

L NASTY GA TOP, £9 |

£22 | AS

S .99 | A FLEECE, £25

FLARES, OS

ES, £10 | NASTY GAL FLAR

Velvet and corduroy should be a staple in your winter wardrobe. They are essential for keeping cosy whilst also staying on-trend. It is easy to wear on a night out with a cami or cropped-top, or with an oversized knit in the daytime. Here are a few of my favourites…

And finally: outerwear. During the winter months, there is always a fine line between looking chic or as if you have dressed up like the Michelin man. A bomber jacket or a short shearling fleece are easy to wear and will ensure that you still look like you are going on a night out and not to fix some tyres!

Meet the model: Ama Kwaasi

May Garland learns about her connection to the UoB Charity Fashion Show @amakwaasi

The University of Bristol Charity Fashion Show is a showcase of an exciting mix of local and national brands with an eclectic range of individual styles. The student-led, non-profit organisation is raising money to support the charity Off The Record which provides mental health support to the Bristol community. As well as encouraging conversation and recognition of a serious issue affecting our society, the event promotes integration and connection between all areas of the university community. There will be plenty of fashion inspiration to soak up and the show should prove to be a fun distraction from the stresses of student life. I had the pleasure of interviewing Ama Kwaasi, a model in the fashion show. The third year Bio-Chem student revealed more about herself and her fashion choices as well as her own personal connection to mental health. M: How did you find out about the University of Bristol Charity Fashion Show? A: I found out about it through the casting director who encouraged me to come to the auditions. M: How would you describe your personal style? A: I would say my style is a mix of street wear and girly clothing. If I feel like I look cool then I’m set! M: What is your connection to the mental health cause? A: I have learnt at university that mental health is as important as your physical health. Also, coming from a background where mental health is less understood; I feel more should be done to raise awareness and open the conversation about mental health so it’s less of a taboo subject. M: What do you want to achieve through participating in the show? A: I have never done anything like this before, so I think I will benefit from putting myself out there and making new friends. M: And finally have you got any advice for people struggling with mental health? A: Communication is very important, talk to someone about it! There are loads of helplines and organizations that would be honored to listen. If you fancy an escape from the mundane responsibilities of the week and want to support a local charity, check out the University of Bristol Charity Fashion Show on Instagram @official.bcfs

Top of the Pops: Spot Treatments Editor Orin Carlin

Exams are over. You have no major responsibilities other than making a fool of yourself in Lounge (it would be rude not to). By god, the world is your oyster and it would be weird (or enviable, frankly) if you had not slipped back into your usual uni-student-routine of drinking anything alcoholic as if it was going out of fashion. Never fear, I can hopefully offer solutions to your skin woes which are no doubt rearing their ugly and angry heads on your poor, undeserving face. As I am writing this, I myself am sporting something particularly red and inflamed - tremendous in size I might add on my cupid’s bow. So truly, I feel your pain. Attractive, no? SPOT TREATMENT, £16 ORIGINS Origins’ Super Spot Remover is a lifesaver. Essentially it is a salicylic gel that you dab onto individual blemishes. Try not to balk at the price, it lasts for ages as a little goes a long way. LIQUID EXFOLIANT, £28 PAULA’S CHOICE Consider salicylic acid a dear friend. It sloughs away dead skin cells and helps unblock pores by removing the excess oil. My mother and I are hopelessly devoted to Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant. Simply douse a cotton pad and sweep it over your face roughly twice a week.

Dust the cobwebs off your knicker drawer...

Sophie Hutchison talks us through the latest lingerie picks for all year round

alentine’s Day might have come and gone already, but that doesn’t mean it’s too late to treat yourself to some new lingerie - a cute matching set is always essential. Whether you’re looking for something to spice up your underwear drawer or you don’t want to sacrifice style for comfort, we’ve got you covered. Les Girls, Les Boys is an up-and-coming mid-range lingerie brand from Agent Provocateur. Described as ‘underwear-meets-streetwear’ — they have a range of sleek, sporty styles and a really great sale on currently. This hot coral set will brighten up your collection, and with it being reduced to just £23.40 it would be hard to say no.

In the words of Bianca from 10 Things I Hate About You - ‘you don’t buy black lingerie unless you want someone to see it’. Not entirely true, given black goes with everything, but this set from ASOS is pretty versatile. The matching briefs and bra (£20 for the set, but you can mix and match) are perfect for everyday wear but the matching suspender belt (£12) will surely get hearts racing. If you’re looking to spend a little more, lingerie brand Blubella have plenty of beautiful (and rather skimpy) bodysuits and basques that are worth the investment.

Or, for plus sized gals, there’s this bright purple lace set for £26 from ASOS Curve - it would look great underneath a slightly sheer white t shirt.

editors’ picks

BRISTOLIAN CATS, PRICELESS | STOKE BISHOP “There are many aspects of living in halls that I’m glad to have said goodbye to: namely nightmare flatmates and waking up early to get on the U1. However, my god I miss those beautiful cats that would roam freely, simply looking majestic, so bloody much.”

BOOTS, £44.99 | NEW LOOK “How to keep warm and look stylishly put together over winter? Knee. High. Boots. These cosy boots instantly give your look a feeling of finesse and add another much needed layer to fend against potential frostbite. A winter staple through and through.”

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For comfy and practical, Weekday is a good bet. The Scandi brand has a number of minimal basics at reasonable prices, but for something more stand-out, their slightly sparkly, frilly Carla set for £19 is definitely worth showing off.

TRAINERS, £45 | FILA “In a culture where ‘bigger is better’, why shouldn’t the same apply to our shoes? As someone who was at first dubious, I can confirm that once you go chunky, you never go back. So if you’re on the fence, put aside your pride and embrace your inner dinosaur.”

Inspired by Styleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tips on homeware from an earlier edition, Digital Editor Emma Holding re-decorates her bedroomâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cosy corner.

Travel

Editor Lily Donnelly Deputy Editor Emma Loubser Digital Editor Will Holmes

What about Scotland?

Archie Cotterell on the perfect remedy for these hectic times

t’s cold, it will definitely rain, and you won’t understand a bloody word. You probably imagine its exactly as Irvine

Welsh so vividly presents, but what about Scotland? Perhaps the last time you heard or thought about that place that exists north of a slightly run-down wall was during yet another chorus of cries for Independence. Or perhaps you thought about heading to the Fringe, then reconsidered after a fleeting ponder over the hassle of a long train journey. For the sports fans among you, the turbulent ordeal that unfolded between the Scots and English at Twickenham some 10 months or so ago still cuts deep. So, are they merely our noisy neighbours, who for years we’ve quarrelled with, or is Scotland something else entirely…? In all honesty, there is a lot to be said for Scotland. Edinburgh alone boasts architectural splendour, the aforementioned and brilliant - Fringe Festival, a varied nightlife and much more. Whether you take a gander up the Royal Mile, gaze up at the majestic castle from one of the many cosy cafés or admire the whole city atop Arthur’s seat; it will not disappoint. Yet you probably already heard all of that from some long-lost relative, so let me try and inform you about some of Scotland’s veiled secrets. If you need a break from it all, or to be surrounded by less people, make your way up past through Inverness and into the Highlands. There is actually a circular route that will take your around the top of Scotland called the North Coast 500, which is ideal for road trips. The landscapes never fail to take your breath away, whether it's dramatic mountains climbing steeply from murky and mysterious waters or indeed long beaches of white sands stretching as far as the eye can see. The serenity and beauty of Sutherland as a whole is unrivalled. Between Ullapool and Cape Wrath, the British Isles, is some of the most seen anywhere, yet it exists on our inland, lying under mountains of coast are beaches such as Oldshoremore dunes roll towards azure seas. You would in the Bahamas, only the flora and fauna are are always empty, waiting to be visited. And yes,

right up in the north-western corner of rugged and dramatic landscape to be relative doorstep. Long sea lochs stretch heather and stone. On the same stretch of and Balnakeil Bay, where handsome golden be forgiven for thinking you had ended up slightly less tropical. Better still these paradises you can swim without contracting hypothermia.

The wildlife is varied and beguiling in equal measure. Colonies of puffin’s float on the waters around Handa Island, a bird sanctuary off the coast near Scourie. Seals, dolphins and whales are sighted frequently, roaming the summer seas in search of a tasty snack. Highland Cows are as docile as they look fierce and are often scattered across the countryside. Stags can be seen throughout, always striking and relatively tame. Even nearer the big cities like Glasgow, you can easily disappear up to the Cairngorms, or indeed towards Loch Lomond. These National Parks offer everything possible that can be enjoyed outdoors: hiking, climbing, canoeing and more. However, if you feel more inclined to put your feet up and enjoy the warmth of a crackling fire and a good glass of scotch, Scotland is the place. Houses are cheap to rent for groups, and travel is also affordable if planned. Although too much time spent indoors with a large group may create the plot for a new Agatha Christie novel. U

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Solonina

...whether it's dramatic mountains climbing steeply from murky and mysterious waters or indeed long beaches of white sands...

Lily Donnelly

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Forget about the sights Lily Donnelly guides you through forty-eight hours in Barcelona When one is faced with forty-eight hours in a city à la Richard Ayoade, one must make their plans wisely. Hustling around a bustling city can very easily take all of the fun out of a holiday. So, it's time to make the most of all the stops.

M A E

Day 1 in the Gothic Quarter orning: head to Black Remedy in the Gothic Quarter for a rather British style brunch, choosing between avocado and feta on toast, breakfast bowls adorned with fresh fruit and yoghurt, or a simple croissant. Sip on your much-needed coffee without sinking too far into your industrial-chic seat and take a snap of this edgy local hub before diving deeper into the district.

fternoon: once you’ve covered perimeter of the Cathedral and wondered up and down La Rambla, one of Barcelona’s most famous streets that connects the Plaça de Catalunya to Port Vuell, it’s already time for a luncheon. This very street boasts La Boqueria, an internationally acclaimed food market that is bound to tantalise all taste buds. El mercado is brought to life by vibrant fruits and vegetables, the churning of fresh churros and a chaos that reminds you that you’re truly on the continent. Perch yourself on a bar stool at one of the dozen tapas bars whilst you indulge in freshly grilled octopus and patatas bravas washed down by çerveza and/or sangria. Still not full? Grab a ready-made snack pack of Spanish ham and cheese, and some supplies for your hold luggage whilst you’re at it.

am gr pi

vening: when dusk rolls around, and you can’t face the bus ride up to Park Guell, a solution waits for you just around the corner. Hop in the lift at El Corte Inglese and take in the panorama on the 5th (?) floor where you’ll be able to see the mosaic of Plaça de Catalunya in its full trampled-by-tourist glory. Then, whilst you wonder back to your abode, call into E Oasis on Plaça del Regomir and watch the Spanish life pass by underneath the setting of the Mediterranean sun. Surrounding you are endless restaurants perfuming the streets with the smell of something, so either stay here for dinner or stumble into a tapas bar - the night is yours. ly /Li

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Day 2 in El Born

orning: you’ve woken up early to make the most of your last day, so a hearty breakfast and heftier coffee are in order. Today’s choice is Alsur Café with a near ineffable breakfast menu that leaves me with no choice but to direct you to their Instagram page. The café-come-bar finds itself in El Born, the once up-and-coming neighbourhood that now boasts some of the best haunts in town. Situated just a short walk away from Parc de la Ciutadella where you can find Spain’s answer to the Arc de Triomph, bring a book and a blanket with you for a mid-afternoon lie down. Be sure not to mistake the Arco di Triunfo for an ‘Eiffel tower’ in Vegas kind of affair. fternoon: it’s time for a culture fix. Conveniently, the Picasso museum awaits you back in El Born, and offers a 50% student discount on admission. With 4251 pieces to feast your eyes on, trawling through the collections at Museu Piccasso is bound to work up an appetite that you can quash with a coffee and a cake in Bar El Born Holidays are hard work, after all.

vening: I implore you to go to Mosquito, quite literally around the corner from Alsur, to induldge in Asian Tapas. Controvertial though it may be, this is the best tapas I’ve ever had and it’s not even bloody Spanish. The crispy duck, fish cakes, prawn dumplings and beef gyoza were admittedly too much food for two people, but dishes worth licking clean anyway. If Pho takes more of your fancy, pop here for lunch instead. Whether the sun is up or down, be sure to get there early – with a no reservation policy, the tables are hot property. Prop yourself up in a jazz bar afterwards, but remember that you have a flight to catch in the morning.

Paris on Strike

Oliver Briscoe recounts his Christmas homecoming

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Lundi, le 16 Decembre St Pancras was a zoo of the masses, a menagerie of the downtrodden, a cast from Hugo or Zola and a far-cry from the gentle Proustian stream of the Paris I once called home. ‘Greta Thunberg, like Boris Johnson, offers us do-or-die’. I wondered whether Brexit would be better for the environment. The cheese and wine may get more expensive, though. My musings trailed as we shot out of the tunnel, left behind unspoken for fear of exasperating my sister. We had expected the transport strikes and chaos; mutters on Paris painted a scene of harsh bracing winds, the sound of grinding standstill and the clash of revolution–coal blackened, kerchiefed conductors, mobilised under the homespun, quilted banners of the IIIrd International. Instead we slipped into an empty Gare du Nord, joking about the dinner our grandmother might have prepared for us - that simple salad and a baguette with pates au beurre. E Above the clocks struck with the lost hour in a deep Christmas darkness. Beyond, from the glass and iron beams which thatched the platform, we were enveloped by warmth. At the end of the quay, we were met by a cheerful driver who stole us away and sped towards home, babbling affably. We cut through a mild Paris, sedate and scintillating, with the comfort of many memories. We were children again, staring in awe out of the windows. Shop fronts gleamed with Christmas spirited displays, bright snowflakes fell in a lit-up staccato across a Chanel poster, pulled taut over the side of pre-Haussmann buildings. Each building illuminated like museum artefacts. Where were the rank and file members, reportedly assembled for the long fight? Trying to overturn the injustice of no longer being able to retire at fifty, long after the replacement of coal train? Our grandparents came out to meet us at the thick oak door to the apartment that once might have opened for coaches. We dined intimately; cheese, baguette, saucisson, Beaujolais Nouveau and éclairs. Comforted by the familiar art, sheets, food and rooms each in padded cloth, christened by their colour yellow, red, and blue. Exploring the Palais Bourbon Mardi, le 17 Decembre Waking on the better side of mid-morning, Tuesday started and continued outside, beyond the single pane windows with the ambient sound of Parisian activity. Our first outing of the day - having eaten breakfast of tartines au beurre et chocolat, performing our ablutions and toiletries in peace, at different ends of the apartment - was a visit to the Palais Bourbon. Invited by a member of L’Assemblée, We could not have been given a better tour short of being with our host Gilles, as he sent his two knowledgeable and easy staffers to guide us. Neither rushed, nor disturbed we awed all around at our personal pleasure. Thanks to the nebulous blockades, we found the palace emptied of other visitors. Alone and unbothered we roamed around the ornate ‘Monarchie Républicaine’ edifice. Part of it had once been the residence of Louise Françoise de Montespan, the legitimised daughter of Louis XVI. The adjacent building was the residence of Marquis Lassay, placed proximately to maintain their friendship. The palaces now make up the principle building of the several that embody the f L’Assemeblée Nationale, renovated by Jules de Joly under the restored Bourbon monarchy. Gilles later joined us for lunch at the Bourbon brasserie, cornering off the square facing the portico of honour, where he stopped to shake many hands as he made his way through our centre table–courtesy of my aunt, a well known face amongst the waiters, a regular who hobnobs every morning in and amongst the political crowd. He talked affably and attentively to everyone braking a thin, curled, almost lip-less smile which drooped down his long intellectual face. Sagging under a determined forehead of light brown locks and horn rimed spectacles. We discussed his view and by some extent the Government’s view of the strikes. Manifesting themselves in a passing flurry of CGT (The General Confederation of Labour) banners from outside the Bourbon, as Gilles spoke their fate. After an indulgence of café gourmands and café liegois, Gilles dashed off to prepare E for the afternoon’s Prime Minister’s Questions. We lay comfortably in the mahogany and leather for a couple of minutes more before making our own way back to the Palace. We had also been invited to spectate, languidly on the velvet benches, the afternoon session. Back from a long afternoon, we arrived home, deflated. The apartment–on the first floor, which was desirable when elevators were built out of wood and brass cages–was a sanctuary, at peace from the trickle of the bourgeoisie along the boulevard and from the footfall of civil servants from the nearby ministries. We dined at the café au coin en famille with a ballon or two of rouge. On display were the beautiful young couples and elegant older ones. The sound of rustling chairs, kisses and heels at the curbside filled the restaurant. We saw these intimate moments played out effortlessly on the pavement. Tourists long for their lives to be so dramatic–especially the Americans - we sat, part of the scene. /O

Briscoe liver

am gr pi

Briscoe liver

Review: Qatar Airlines

f Naz Gri f i n

Touching down

After a smooth flight, we landed in Doha at 1154 local time, 21 minutes early. Since I had a tight 45-minute connection for my flight to London, I was relieved. Upon arrival in London, we were escorted to our gate. Again, I wasn’t expecting us economy passengers to get the star treatment! I would just like to note that Doha airport is great – there is an internal train that goes from one end of the airport to the other, and it’s just so easy to navigate! / am igr Ep

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/ Ethan Hu lash nsp U

Boarding took place very quickly, as the flight was only half-full. To my excitement, my plane was a very new Airbus A350, tail number A7-AMI. I highly recommend using SeatGuru to check out where the best seats are - I was seated by the window in seat 17K! Qatar’s A350s have a 9 seat abreast 3-3-3 configuration in economy, which is more than comfortable. I found the legroom to be very…roomy – and I’m 5’8, for reference. There was ample space to stow a backpack under the seat in front of me, along with quite a few seat pockets. Seat pitch (the distance from the back of your seat to the seat in front of you) was about 31”, but it somehow felt roomier than that. There was even a cushion and blanket on each seat. Everyone was given a simple amenity kit consisting of lip balm, a toothbrush, an eyemask, earplugs, and socks. The tray table pictured here is easy to use and sturdy. The inflight entertainment had a touchscreen, with a wide selection of films and series. It even had a tail camera feed! WiFi was free for an hour, and only 10 USD for the whole flight. There was a USB power port alongside a socket that should fit most plug types.

We took off around 10 minutes ahead of schedule, something I watched from the tail camera feed – the newer Airbus planes seem to have this feature, so keep an eye out! Later in the flight, we were all handed menus. Qatar Airways lay out the order of service chronologically, meaning you could plan around it. Pretty neat, huh? I chose the prata and fish curry, which tasted a lot nicer than it looked – and they hand out actual steel cutlery, even in economy. One thing I love about Qatar is how pleasant the flight attendants are, even in economy class – they seem to genuinely enjoy their jobs, and just exuded enthusiasm. Having flown business class on Qatar once before, I would say that their flight attendants in both economy and business are polished just the same – at least to my undiscerning eye. After the meal service concluded, I settled in to enjoy the view – the A350 has huge windows which allow you to wonder at the scenery. The flight attendants regularly passed through the cabin with drinks (juices, coffee and tea, alcohol), which I liked. I later asked for a small snack and was given a bag of pretzels and water. Later on, there was a snack service consisting of a hot-chicken-pie-thing and drinks. It was actually fairly good! f Naz Gri f i n

Departure

In the air

/ am igr Ep

fter having returned to Malaysia for the holidays, it was soon time for me to fly back to Bristol. Here is a simple, student review of my long-haul experience with Qatar Airways, as I found flying with them to be great. I was flying out at 0915 from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) to Doha for my onward journey to London on a Qatar Airways Airbus A350. The flight time was 7 hours 30 minutes. You will want to eat before clearing immigration at KLIA, as there’s nothing affordable airside. Security at KLIA takes place at the boarding gate, but there is a cursory customs inspection after immigration. If you have an international flight, you usually will have to take an inter-terminal train to the Satellite Terminal.

/ am igr Ep

Naz Griffin on his flight from Kuala Lumpur to Doha

Do you want to share stories of your travels with Epigram? Whether it was an unparalleled flight experience, or a leopard siting in South Africa, tell us all at: epigramtravel1920@gmail.com

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