It's probably not everyday you get woken up by a phone call at 3 in the afternoon, well for most people anyway. My boyfriend Jordon called to wake me up like he said he would (i was having a nap...honest) he also let me know he had booked our long awaited septum piercings Thursday. That was fine with me i just wanted to go back to sleep, but as usual I wasn't going to get to. 'We'll be over to pick you up in half an hour' he said, picture me sitting in my bed still in pyjamas on the phone thinking what the hell??. Apparently we had arranged to go into town with his friend, Howden and his girlfriend. I don't actually remember agreeing to this...must have.
At A Glance Author Paula Contact Paula@bme.anon When N/A Artist Sarah Studio Tribal Location Royal Mile, Edinburgh Sure enough half an hour later the door bell rings, I was nearly ready...apart from the lack of shower (i spend far too long in the shower) no make-up and messy hair. We didn't really have a plan for the day we were just going to see what happened, but sitting in the car I suggest to the others going to Tribal to check prices of septum piercings.
Sarah is one of the two Tribal piercers, she has done all of my boyfriends piercings so far and a few of my friends. It was her at the desk when we walked in. Before our septum's were to be done at another piercing studio in Edinburgh by a trainee, the thought of this worried me slightly. The prices were the same. We said we'd think about it and probably be in the next day.
Off we went, wandering the Old Town. I passed an ATM in the grass market, 'lets do it today!'. Jo just looked at me and asked me if i was sure. I think dragging him back to Tribal might have been a clue. Only started to get nervous after filling out the consent to jabbing forms. Sarah asked who was going first, comedy moment, we pointed at each other. After laughing about it i agreed to go first as long as Jo held my hand (wimp). Sarah went off to get the room ready while we sat at the chairs looking through Bizarre. I was stuffing my face with skittles (yummy) because I have low blood pressure and am prone to fainting if I don't have enough sugar before a piercing.
Sitting on the doctors bench was horrible but Sarah made me feel relaxed. The conversation turned to the fact on a zoo trip Jo had seen two rhinos having sex...just what you want to think about... My nose was prepared, Sarah cleaned the area with an alcohol swap quipping 'excuse me while i stick my fingers up your nose'. My god I'm a wimp my eyes started to water when she put the clamps on. Squeezing the hand of the long suffering boyfriend helped, I'd recommend him. Closing my eyes and taking a deep breath, the needle went in. I'm not going to lie it hurt, a lot, but not as much as i had expected. I especially liked the pushing sensation as it went through. Quick insertion of the retainer and i was done.
As soon as my eyes opened they started to stream, boy that smarts. Sarah gave me a tissue saying jokingly that she was sorry she made me cry, one thing I love about Tribal is the customer relationship with piercers. It was then my turn to video Jo's septum piercing, fun stuff. I didn't feel like so much of a wimp when his eyes teared up as well as mine.
Tribal is a great and friendly place to get pierced, the staff are all very approachable and funny...*tries not to mention the 'I love Sarah' sticker attached to Brandon from Incubus poster*...The studio is modern and very clean, the walls have display cabinates with jewellry designed by the other piercer there. Whats more the prices are very good, two septums later we left Tribal £50 lighter with huge smiles on our faces.
It was only yesterday i had my piercing done but already it hurts less than i expected, the retainer is very neat and easy to tuck away which is always good. It was slightly bloody when i cleaned it with saline solution this morning and yesterday, but i guess thats pretty normal. I can't wait until it heals, I have my eyes on a gorgeous little tusk. Also there is more comedy to be had, Jo and I realised we have identical facial piercings which gave us a bit of a laugh...we need to get out more. Can't wait to see how it holds up while camping this weekend.
I'll close by saying that Tribal is a great place to get pierced and if you are ever in Edinburgh check it out, even if it's just for the poster ;)