Queen's University Quadrangle

Chinese warriors in front of Belfast City Hall. No idea why.

Belfast City Hall

Across from City Hall.

On the lawn at City Hall, the British Open was on a big screen TV 

so everyone just sat around on the grass and watched.

Belfast cabbies

 

Much cooler today than it has been. It even drizzled. It was heavenly. Everyone is checking into the University today so we are getting together tonight. School starts tomorrow!

 

Met with Barney, our program leader, tonight and he gave us some insight into the recent troubles since July 12 (Orange Day). The Protestants wanted to march thru the Catholic neighborhoods to celebrate Orange Day (a Protestant victory over the Catholics during a battle) but the police, who ironically are mostly Protestant, said they couldn't. That did not go over well so they've been throwing rocks at each other since July 12. Barney just came from a friend's house whose neighborhood is gearing up for more protests and rock-throwing tonight. The protests and gatherings are front page news here and it doesn't show any signs of stopping.  Barney said we are fine where we are but not to venture into any of the neighborhoods. That's reassuring.