First Impressions

Sun, 04 Mar 2007 21:22:40 +0100

On the advice from my wise cousin Christy, I have started a blog to chronicle my adventures in Belfast. I have a ten week internship with the US Consulate. I am basically working with public relations. It has been quite interesting to learn about the political history of this region, and quite difficult I might add. Belfast is actually a very friendly place. Most people are helpful and hospitable.
It is kind of like the South! ...except for a the little stuff here. Holy Jeeezus everything is small! Yesterday I went to pick up my razor in the shower and had to actually step out of the shower in order to have enough room to bend over to get it. (On my first attempt my head hit the side of the shower... but no worries, it didn't hurt) And the really good thing about the bathroom here is that I can pee and brush my teeth at the same time. That's because the sink is within inches of my face when I sit on the toilet. Im actually thinking about one day building my bathroom like that in my house... 'cause it saves a lot of time! My bed is small too! My feet hang off of it. My poor brother would have a nightmare over here. He couldn't fit in the cars, much less the beds! The cars, oh man, I think Zack had Hot Wheels that had more leg room! I mean, they are cute, but Heaven save ya if ya got in an accident! I've only been over here for a week and a half so I don't really know if the whole small thing works in other areas... let's hope not for my sake! Haha, that was a joke Mama!
Besides all the small stuff, everything is pretty nice. When it's not raining, windy or cold, it's a very pretty place. Everything is really green. On my trip to Dungannon I got to see some of the country side. Very beautiful, like in the movies! Also, most of the buildings and churches were built fifty million years ago, so they are unique and interesting.
Oh, the accents! Most people talk so fast, I dont know what the hell they are saying! I can barely understand Americans that talk fast, like yankees, much less foreign accents spoken as if they are vomiting words. I love the way they talk, I just wish I could understand it!
I decided to walk around yesterday in the city centre. Its not such a terribly long walk. When I got there, I noticed that all the young kids were sitting around the large fence that surrounds city hall. Last weekend all the kids were there too. Must be the weekend hangout, like the Wal-Mart back home! The only thing is, all these kids are wearing gothic stuff. I mean heavy duty black, devil, pale, I-wanna-give-you-a-dirty-look-and-then-kill-myself outfits! Except I saw a girl wearing a belt made out of rifle cartridges. That was actually pretty cool. However, Im sure they would frown upon that at the Consulate. But it made me wonder about the youth of Belfast. Maybe they just don't get enough sunshine... maybe George Bush can aim his global warming their way!
Anyway, besides the fact that everything is small, really expensive, and there aren't any beanie weenies, Im liking this place. I have always enjoyed rainy weather. Plus, I feel like I am witnessing history with the coming elections this week. More will come...

Apple Jacks!

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Bug in Belfast

First Impressions