Belfast

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Where to begin? We arrived in Belfast after bussing it up from Cork three days ago. We will fly to Prague on Sunday.

Upon arrival to Belfast, we wandered to the Queens University area, in a residential district and discovered Arnie's Hostel. Most hostels we have found, we walk in, wait on reception, and throw our bags down on a wooden slat of a bunk bed. Here, we were greeted by the barking of little Wishbone-like dogs, and invited in by Arnie himself to have tea and coffee.

The next day, he booked us and our new California rafting friend Jess on a Black Cab Tour around Belfast. Its impossible to explain the history and struggle of Northern Ireland, but our guide Walter introduced us to the conflict and took us to both the Protestant and Catholic neighborhoods, where we were shocked by the murals on the walls. We also drove past the peace Wall, a 15-foot wall that has a series of four gates that close at 10:30 and open again at 7:00 am every morning. Even the pubs near the walls have bars and grates on the windows. "They still dont trust each other," Walter remarked. It was a historical and sobering view of the history of this part of Ireland. He said that the last real violence occurred in 1994, and the city is now deemed safe for tourists. I guess he wasnt talking about the Catholics and the Protestants...

We also took a tour of the newly renovated City Hall. Amazing building whose stairwell was the model for the Titanic's grand staircase. Another claim to fame for Northern Ireland was that the Titanic was built here.
We accidently stumbled upon a WW2 museum, solely created by the citizens of Belfast. In no way was it institutionalized, it was pieced together with citizens postcards, letters, helmets, and photographs. I think it was more moving that way. We read about the Blitz, which bombed Belfast for days and saw photographs of the destruction to the buildings and planes that were being built at the time.

Belfast isnt all history and tears, we have had fun too...last night we played Scrabble and Hearts (at which I lost miserably) with some Canadians. More later!

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Comments

[DAD]

Hi dear-Thanks for your informative blog on Belfast. Loved the photos but couldn't figure out quite the kissing the blarney stone photo. Were you being suspended upside down? Strange stuff. Glad you are getting into some decent hostels. Best to Adam. All is well here. We're looking forward to seeing you soon in Italy. No word from John but I calculate that he's been in a kayak for about 2.5 weeks and that's a long time. Hope he's still in one piece--above the water. Sarah is thinking about doing "club" volleyball and has try outs this weekend so her sporting life may continue. Be careful. Be careful Be careful. Adam: Watch over her if she's not careful. Love, DAD

[Allison]

what to notice--murals and peacewalls
Look out for the strange ways they do barbed wire there--traditional, glass, etc--so many ways to keep people out. Did you see the police cars?--they are bomb proof. If you went up toward the city cemetery you would have seen another peace wall and in between it is a community centre that tries to be open for both sides... Did you get to meet with Peter? What about Hannah? Go visit Mornington!!!--they have a new mural up which represents the good in the community--not the paramilitaries!! They are trying to show that murals can be peaceful and bring people together

[Hannah]

Beautiful Ireland
Hi Rachel! It's been great following your trip. The photos of Ireland, and the Blarney Castle in particular, have been my favourite. Your trip sounds fabulous so please keep up the great travel stories. Doesn't seem that long since you were here in Australia telling me about your travels. Enjoy the rest of your time in Ireland and wherever else your travel plans lead you. Love Hannah