The first thing I realized about Belfast was that it is strikingly different from Dublin. Not just the architecture, but almost every aspect of this city is different. Though they are both port cities, Dublin touts its merchant arena, while Belfast’s claim to fame is a sunk ship. While I do enjoy Belfast, and I am going to the Titanic Museum, I was incredibly surprised at the differences between this city and Dublin. First, the architecture is different. Belfast is full of Victorian influences, which makes sense given its past. In fact, Victoria seems to be the theme in Belfast. When we first walked up to the Belfast City Council building, I noticed a large statue of Queen Victoria. This is very different from Dublin, which was full of statues of rebellion leaders. I think back to the civil war in Ireland, and now I understand more how conflicting the cities were. They are so different. Also, Belfast is a very wealthy city port, and the city hall is evidence of that wealth. The inside is full of marble, even green marble from Greece that was displayed in London before coming to Belfast. This wealth, made from being a port city for Great Britain, was a very contentious aspect between Ireland and Northern Ireland. When you have wealth from being a colonial aspect of a greater state, it is very hard to justify overthrowing that state. Belfast has obviously benefitted from being a port city, and it works for them to continue in this manner. I think that, at times, we can look on a city that did not rebel against a colonial power as being weaker than those that did. But that is not the case. Belfast is better for being a part of Great Britain.