Belfast I

What follows are some bits from people we have talked to.

As we started the climb up Croagh Patrick (we didn't go far -- it was a rough and rocky path) an 8 year old boy was coming down with his family. He and a younger sister were playing and running and skipping. I asked if he got to the top and he said yes. I noted (to him) that he still had a lot of energy and he replied "Yes ma'am, a wee bit." Then I asked if the climb had been difficult and he replied again, "Yes ma'am. A wee bit."

Met a young woman today, an attendant at the Belfast Titanic museum who was quite knowledgable and helpful. Turns out that she's leaving next week to spend a month in the U.S. When I asked where she replied that she'll be in Iowa City! We discussed what to do and see there. I wished later I'd have told her how to contact my sisters and brothers so she could get a personal tour of Kalona.

Talked to an elderly couple in a pub one evening who gave us their thoughts on the Irish elections (local and EU elections) and explained about the political parties of Ireland.

The Belfast man, Al, who gave us a political history tour of Belfast and the Troubles talked about the peace and the issues of this place. "They might call it peaceful times, but its a funny kind of peace."

Then there were all the wonderful people at the Belfast bus stop who helped us find a good bus to take to get us as close to our hotel as possible after we just missed the last bus that would have taken us directly to our place.

We've met some wonderful people; it is one of the joys of traveling.