I guess it's time to update the journal again  Last weekend (1-3.03) we had a trip to Ireland.Our main goal was to attend (as every year now) Letterkenny Musical Society's show in An Grianán Theatre,but - since there was no direct flights straight to Derry,we decided (and homesickness played its part in it too) to fly to Belfast and spend one day there.
Convinced by experience and the forecast,we were sure that the weather would give us a weepy welcome,but we were wrong and the actual sun was actually shining on the actual blue sky in actual Belfast.Can you actually believe that? It was a definite contrast with the wintry,cold and rainy London weather.And not the only contrast we saw!The thing that hit us was people's attitude.Everyone was smiling and chatting with us.What a difference comparing to the big city!
Anyway,tired as we were,we inevitably followed the way to the Victoria Park.It was really wonderful to be there again and see this specific light and all.It's really the most beautiful and interesting park in Belfast and I really,really can't understand the unceasing tendency of Belfast authorities to destroy it.I think I've already mention that Belfast has 2 airports and the City Airport is exactly by the Victoria Park and apparently wants to expand towards it.Since the International Airport is easily reachable by any means of transport (30 min away from the town),I really don't see why they could not transfer the traffic from the City Airport to the International and let the park,the RSPB reserve and,last but not least,people in Sydenham,be.This is one thing that bothered me in Belfast (even more than the weather lol):urban planning.The authorities put concrete anywhere they can and even where they can't and shouldn't. I guess it's intended to give Belfast modern look,but it gives a sad one instead,not to mention various bird species which have to seek friendlier homes.Sad thing,we saw that the lake in Victoria Park is being fenced and birds feeding is being discouraged again (not that it works,as we noticed with great satisfaction).
On Saturday morning we hit the road again,by bus to Derry and by another one to Letterkenny. We stayed with =akseiya's friend Peter who was so kind as to buy an electric underblanket to keep us warm (considering the amount of trouble we make,being always late and all,I hope that an electric chair won't be next) and in the evening we attended the show.This year they staged Calamity Jane and it was fabulous,which was only to be expected since,as far as I know and can say from my own experience,the LMS never disappoint their audience.After the show,we had a party with the cast (since =akseiya was a member when he lived in Letterkenny and most of them are his friends from his ex-job anyway) and on Sunday we went back to Belfast to meet our friend,and then we flew back to London.
During this trip everyone was extremely kind to us,even the weather,as if the whole Ireland with all citizens were telling us to come back Coming back to London was a tough experience,but we brought plenty of photos,so there's a consolation in this sea of tears