I have been promising this for a bit, so here it is. We actually got the idea from your partially absent Baghdad blogger. Yep, Shaffer suggested that when we swung through Belfast, we make sure to see the Europa. It was a fantastic time for me, since I heard and studied the unrest in Northern Ireland as a kid. I can still remember my school teachers mentioning the story from time to time. Of course in fourth grade, it’s tough to get a handle on the story. Belfast is booming and while the tension hasn’t left, prosperity is winning. Nice to see.

done

Only a few days left and continuing with the whole small world theme, my brother and family suggested we head north to Wales near Liverpool. They have friends in the area and everyone raved about what we would see in the north parts of Wales, many times overlooked for the more populated (and also beautiful) south. So since they were in the area we headed north and a bit west. The train ride was only a couple of hours and as the countryside flew past, the brick town homes of London quickly turned to beautiful lime green fields, fresh with new grass. Puffy white sheep dot the hillsides and pastures, while the steeples of brownish brick churches look out over the landscape in all directions. We arrived in Chester, a great town on the border with Wales and then drove about 45 minutes to the west and arrived in Conwy. The town was built by Edward I between 1283- 1289, the caste and walls around the city still stand. The site is truly breathtaking. Here are some of my pictures.

I have to say, Americans get a bad wrap. We have seen our share that have come across the pond and we have yet to see the rude, annoying people portrayed by Hollywood. In fact, most Americans have been very friendly, whether we’re speaking to them or just observing. I cannot say the same for those from other countries and I will not be mentioning them in this forum. I will however report what I have always felt. The great majority of the time Americans are welcoming. Of course, I am biased. Our British friends have been nothing short of fantastic. When we dared venture to one of the biggest football (soccer) games in recent memory, Chelsea versus Arsenal, we were embraced and my four year-old nephew was a hit. We apparently are now “a part of the Chelsea nation and family, even if you do live across the pond.” Here are my first pics from London, notice the police officers dressed in bright yellow and lining the rows to separate the fans from the two sides at the game. By the way Chelsea won 2-1. Great game.

We’ve got some great stories already here in London and I have met up with some of our SKY News pals we’ve worked with reporting overseas. I’ll pass those stories along, but first….we met Max. Great kid and very smart as Tamera notes. He is a great history buff and here’s the video.

Coincidentally, our trip to Northern Ireland comes 10 years after the peace treaty and it’s getting some press here in Europe. In this day when bashing democracy seems to be quite normal in parts of the world, it seems democracy is winning and in some cases thriving. Yes a ton of money has been pumped into the north, but as one man told me “they are beginning to see that peace and prosperity solves a few problems.” He continued, “Many of the fighters are now politicians!”

Here’s an article on the issues. Keep Reading …