Belfast

Good morning!

It’s our last day of class up in Coleraine, and I think we’re all feeling pretty torn. The North Coast is extremely peaceful, serene, and beautiful, but after our field trips to our respective cities we’re all itching to explore them more. Yesterday we left bright and early for a day in Belfast, where 8 of us will live together for 7 weeks. I think we’re in love…

The city has everything we ever craved, and more. Chinese restaurants? Check. Quaint coffee shops? Check. Along with the perks, there’s bustling streets, gardens, a giant ferris wheel, historic buildings and sights, and a great public transit system. Yay :) I got to meet with my internship advisor and see my desk as well. Joanne (the advisor) was especially kind and seemed grateful for my help, and the two of us had coffee and biscuits and discussed the type of work I’ll be doing. So exciting.

Also on the agenda for the day was a tour of the Falls Road and the Shankill Road. Our tour guides were none other than ex-paramilitary men. Their excuse for having such a tame job today was they wanted the public to know the “real” stories from someone who lived it. We couldn’t have asked for anything more real/intense-the two IRA men had each been in jail for 15+ years and were only let out under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement. One had a cell next to Bobby Sands and could remember the talks Bobby used to give at night…so incredible. The ex-UVF man had a life sentence in jail for numerous crimes (murder, attempted murder, robbery, you name it) and was also let free due to the Good Friday Agreement. All of these men seemed so perfectly normal, it was hard to imagine them doing the things they did. Anyway, the UVF man was extremely remorseful and was clear to give us his opinion that all paramilitaries today need to “wrap it up” because there is just no use. I suppose it’s easy to say once you’re let free and you’re side still has what it wants. Oh I shouldn’t say that. Oops.

Anyway, before I get too biased, I must say all three of these men were extremely nice and willing to answer any questions we had, despite the sensitivity. I’ll say that the Shankill was unlike no other place I’ve ever been-eerie, quiet, and dark. Even when we saw children on the road they seemed a bit off. Nigel even agreed it was an extremely “weird” and “creepy” area. Needless to say, I’m glad my internship is not on that side of town. Google the “Shankill Butchers” for a good bedtime story.

Ciao,
Karen