Belfast, August 12th 2002
		I took the 2 hour train trip up to Belfast because I had to see it for myself.  My first impression was that it was a very cool city, even cooler than Dublin but of course the city is known for "The Troubles"
		Murals like this are all over Belfast.  Initially they represented the Unionists vs. the Nationalist, the former wanting to stay with England and the latter wanted to be a separate sovereign country.  Since then both groups have split into factions and live in different areas of the city seperated by fence "Peace Lines".  This mural is by the Ulster Young Militants, youths organied with the Unionists. The cycle never ends.					This is a memorial to the 10 who died while in a hunger strike in jail.  It's very sobering.
							Here's the most famous "Peace Line" in an area called the Strand.  The night before a pipe bomb and stones were thrown over the fence.  The latest fence just went up 6 weeks ago right smack in the middle of a neighborhood.  I mean one day you are next door neighboors and the next your enemies.  Sometimes you are enemies with the folks that used to be in the same party a few years ago.
		And then you come across a kid smiling, waving and bouncing his pogo stick right were a pipe bomb went off a few days ago.  I hope he grows up OK.
							By the way, the Titanic was built here in Belfast
		The two main factions also have their own taxi services.  Each of the services has taxi stands down separate side streets and generally run cars that are the used ones from the more mainstream companies.  I was going to ask one for a ride but I got a little nervous and decided to tour around on a tour bus.  Good thing because I found out that the two sides don't like pictures taken!
		I'm glad I went up there, you should too, but it's nice to be back in my bubble in first class.