I've been back in London a week, and have been procrastinating my next post as I've been unsure exactly what to write. I feel slightly under educated to accurately describe Belfast. As this is my blog, and not a school assignment, I'ma stop fretting and talk a bunch of shite about my experience.. as per usual.
After sitting, eating, drinking, getting spoiled rotten and blowing my nose non-stop for a week in South east Ireland, we went up to Belfast for a couple of days to visit Wez's mate Marc. Caught the train up the coast line to Belfast, nice sunny day!
Upon first visiting Ireland earlier last year, I learnt that a section of the north is technically part of the UK, and the rest is a republic. (no, I really didn't know) With that I found there's a lot of politics between north and south. This is quite unlike our 'Melb. rules, Sydney drools' banter.. some of these guys seem dead set against each other.
We were welcomed in Belfast by Marc and his lovely wife. Marc kindly took us on a tour about the place and gave me some local history.
It was a huge eye opener and a lot to take in (for me anyway)
I told him I didn't know what to tell my blog...
he said, be positive! : )
I learnt that it's not at all just a bit of northern vs southern rivalry.. the north has it's own battles within.
Catholics vs Protestants, unionists vs nationalists.. it seems like a very 'them vs us' city covered with different flags, political murals, and a huge, dark 'peace wall' through the middle.
Belfast endured a heap of riots in Dec. over the taking down/ flying of a flag out front of this beautiful building. I'm no news report.. there's alot to it, so I'll say no more and blog the pretty pic :)
The peace wall is HUGE!.. goes for ages.
Long and tall, covered in some amazing art work. I found it to be quite intimidating rather than peaceful.
I feel like it'd be very difficult for anyone there to move forward from their differences in time with such a prominent negative divide in place... obviously it has its reasons for standing.
It was covered in messages of peace written by passers by from all corners of the world. Although a sweet sentiment.. I felt slightly too removed to say my bit... wasn't my place.
The murals are amazing art work splashed onto the sides of buildings, along walls... again, beyond me, but facinating!
They then took us to the coast line to see the cranes that assisted the construction on the Titanic.
I had no idea that the Titanic was built in Belfast!?..
I recognised the cranes from a
top gear episode. I just had no clue of their history before!
Pretty dark pics, but was very cool to see :)
There's a new museum in town.. they shaped it like an iceberg!?..
Super sensitive design accompanied by a shit tonne of fairy lights
All in all Belfast was educational and enjoyable!
Once again we were very spoiled, company was delightful.
Happy days!
Majority of us folk in Aus have NO clue how lucky we are.
Don't call us young and free for nothin'!
