winter purity

I'm not sure whether this blog is read by anyone, but... hey just gonna say Merry Christmas to all of you who celebrate it!
Hope you all experience the blessing one! =)

Just got back from Belfast, couple days ago. How was it ? bloody freezing! yup, I stupidly spent my winter at Ireland!
telling the truth it wasn't a city that makes me wanna stay longer, if u know what I mean... I didn't get any connection with Belfast, unlike me and Edinburgh and York =p

It's beautiful city with political tears... if u can remember the conflict and the war... [u know U2 and the Cranberries songs, mostly inspired by the war blasted in Ireland] in fact the cold war is still there! Belfast city itself still divided into two major political views with its supporters and they apparently have their own territory which is divided by the wall, yup like in Germany long time ago.

Belfast which is nestled on Northern Ireland has been for many years the site of a violent and bitter ethno-political conflict between those claiming to represent Nationalists, who are predominantly Catholic, and those claiming to represent Unionists, who are predominantly Protestant. In general, Nationalists want Northern Ireland to be unified with the Republic of Ireland, and Unionists want it to remain part of the United Kingdom.

For me personally the story lies is indeed very interesting, the city been testifying the long tiring journey of political war. In Shankill Road, people can see a parade of gravities which reflects the civil conflict.


The Shankill is separated from the neighbouring Catholic, nationalist, Falls Road area by peace lines. Greater Shankill has a population of around 22,000. The two areas were focal points of the civil conflict known as The Troubles (1969 – 1998), and many lives have been lost in the sectarian violence. Several loyalist paramilitary groups, such as the UDA and UVF have a presence in the Shankill. The road has been the focus of several power struggles within the loyalist paramilitaries. In 2003 one of these incidents resulted in UDA leader Johnny Adair being evicted from his lower Shankill home.

Belfast itself is also a home for the great TItanic, yup, once it was built in this city.. thus they make big deal out of it.. Titanic this Titanic that...seriously =p

photos of belfast, you can click here: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=23634&id=631001700&ref=mf