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Portobello, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK – To me, home is not four walls. While unknown to many of those who flock to Edinburgh’s ‘cute’ cobbled streets to marvel in the history and ‘aesthetic,’ the sea-side town of Portobello is becoming an increasingly popular gem.
However, the town itself is not the main attraction. Portobello is a beach town and boasts over two miles of gold-sand beaches with a wide promenade which attracts swarms of university students, dog-walkers and tourists searching for the perfect photo-op.
Many people in Portobello, known as Porty to locals, feel that the town has become too popular among tourists, especially during the summer months. These strong feelings are due to Portobello being a very tight-knit community-oriented town.
It has its own primary school, which overlooks the beach and a secondary school. Because of this, most of my classmates have known each other since we were in nappies.
With time, I know my town will be ready to share its magic with the world – the Brazilian-owned café on High Street which plays samba at all hours and the beautiful green parks where hundreds of daisies bloom in the summer.
But most importantly, the magic of Portobello beach.
Portobello beach is the core of my hometown, and I consider it my home.
The beach is where I have played and laughed with friends from all stages of my life, where I learned how to swim and be fearless in the ocean. It’s where my mum would take me to get ice cream after a good school report or a hard day.
The beach is where I spend Hogmanay – Scottish New Year – with my friends. It’s where my friends and I go to talk about life, where we celebrate birthdays and have parties.
It entertains every sunrise and every sunset. The twisting and colorful shells which wash up on its shore shimmer like gold in the sunlight. The beach gave me my appreciation for Earth’s beauty and taught me to be inquisitive of the world around me.
Every first time, every milestone in my life, has been shared with my home, Portobello beach.
The beach and I have watched each other grow. It’s my bubble of safety in a chaotic world and I have developed an attachment to it like one would have with a childhood home. As a result, I have never been able to feel at home anywhere else if it doesn’t have access to an ocean.
Four walls have never been particularly significant to me, but without the familiarity of a beach or the sea I feel claustrophobic.
You can never leave a mark on a beach. Wind and waves will wipe it away as if it never existed. But this beach has left its mark on me. Wherever I go, Portobello Beach will be a part of me. When someone asks me about myself, I tell them about Portobello beach.
Leila Koita is a Junior Reporter with Youth Journalism International.
