Ireland and England

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We arrived in Belfast last week, and found a "black cab," which means an ex-IRA man, to show us around West Belfast. In actuality, we believe, he was just a tattooed fella who could tell a good story, but we learned all about "The Troubles," and saw many of the stunning political murals on both sides of Shankill and Falls Roads, in addition to the 60-foot wall which is still standing between Catholic and Protestant neighborhoods. After this, Zoya interviewed Diane, who seeks out and works with some of the underground muralists. Zoya and Max are finding some surprising through-lines to our expedition (the political mural-art in Mexico and Ireland). Now we have moved to Brighton, where Papa performs in "Woody Sez," and the kids are working as publicity agents, handing out flyers each day on High Street, after their schoolwork is complete. Today is a day-trip to London. Europe is fine for the kids, but they miss the trailer!

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Photos

Norman
The "Black Cab" Fella

The "International Wall"
Zoya and Frederick Douglas
The IRA activists were inspired by civil rights advances across world history

Hughes
The original "Blanket Striker," an IRA political prisoner who struck with hunger, refusing to clean, and refusing to wear his prison uniform

IRA mural
Falls Street

Comments

[Zoya Teirstein]

ehem
ehem! ok, i sort of miss the trailer. but europe is a little bit more exciting!

[Cynthia]

Zoya and Douglass
Hello Zoya, How wonderful to see Fredrick Douglass on a wall in Ireland! That made my day. It is so exciting to see how much you are absorbing on this marvelous trek. I look forward to seeing you back in New York in June (we will talk of many things; some mundane, some profound, and some just silly!). Love to you and the whole family, Cynthia