Belfast

I've only been here a few hours and I already like it better than Dublin. Our hotel is practically on the Queens University campus and everything is right outside of our door rather than having to take a bus like we did in Dublin. It feels different too. The people are more friendly it seems more laid-back. After we got settled in I went for a run around the area and ran into an interesting old man (this seems like a trend). I was reading a sign at the entrance of the Botanic Garden and he asked if I was from around here. We ended up talking for over an hour. His name was Cyril Lindsay... interesting coincidence... and he has lived in Belfast most of life. Mr. Lindsay was absolutely brilliant but he was a bit unkempt (overgrown hair and beard) and slightly socially awkward. He told me that he has diagnosed himself with Asperger's syndrome after reading a book about it. He said it explained so much because he always struggled in school and in normal social life but has always been very motivated to learn. Throughout the course of our conversation Mr. Lindsay told me all about quantum physics, thermodynamics, the holographic universe theories, information on different cancer research work, as well as some history of Belfast and some famous scientists and inventors from Belfast. We also talked about health and wellness and organic food/vegetarianism and he told me he has prostate cancer. He also wrote down a page and a half of books for me to read, along with specific pages and line numbers. He would close his eyes and quote parts of the books to me verbatim, I'm assuming he had a photographic memory. He was obviously brilliant and it was so fascinating to talk to him. He was so kind to me and told me that I should come to school at Queens because I seem to be a very outgoing and smart girl and he is sure I'd be very successful. He told me places to avoid in order to be safe and places I should make sure to see before I leave. I so enjoyed talking to him and I hope I run into him again.

Belfast is beautiful and Queens is gorgeous. We're going on a walking tour tomorrow and then going to a lecture at Queens. I am so excited about all the things we're going to be learning. The more I learn about Ireland and N. Ireland the more I want to know about the history and conflict. There are tons of political murals everywhere and we'll be going on a tour of them this week. Though the hostility has died down there is definitely still tensions here between the Protestants and Catholics. I'm also intereted in understanding how the fact that N. Ireland is still a part of the U.K. impacts them and what the locals think about it. Mr. Lindsay seemed to take a lot of pride in being a citizen of the U.K. This is such a fascinating country and I can't wait to keep lerning about it!

I feel like last week I was behind in sleep and school and couldn't really catch up but now that I'm here I feel like I'm ready to really dive in and I can't wait! I miss all you people that I love back home. Can't wait to share more of this with all of you when I see you again!