We have arrived in Belfast! I immediately noticed differences between Dublin and Belfast. The main difference to me, aside from the fact that Belfast is apart of the United Kingdom and uses pounds as currency, is the architecture. The buildings here have a very Victorian style, and all of the post boxes are red, where as in Dublin they are green. The city also has a “newer” feeling to it. Which I later learned is due to the fact of rebuilding. Belfast was heavily involved in WWll and suffered from bombings. After checking in to our hotel and ate lunch, we ventured to City Hall, and took a tour. It is absolutely breath taking. The marble was so stunning. The green marble actually came from Greece, and is so rare, that before using it as pillars in the City Hall, it was put on display in London for people to see.

It was also exciting for me to learn that their city’s Lord Mayor, is a woman. She is one of the four women to every hold this title, which is voted on by the citizens of Belfast. Today I was chosen to be the lucky volunteer to try on the thick robes wore during council sessions. They weigh about 20 pounds, and are red with black stripes. Participating in walk through of the ballroom, and city chambers was also very neat. The carpeting is even “royal”. There also seemed to be a wedding reception taking place, and I loved how important City Hall is to the citizens of Belfast.