I’m writing this after a long day of touring, walking, and exploring – following a night dealing with jet lag and travel weariness.

Regardless, I want to document how I’m feeling at this time.

This morning, I took a private Political Murals tour of Belfast.  My guide, Joe, did a fantastic job explaining the complexities of the conflict, including the political, economic, and religious contributions.  He also talked in detail about the effects on lives of both Catholics and Protestants.  His stories about his sisters getting shipped off to England, his brother being kneecapped, and going to church with members of the IRA captivated me.  Balanced, he called out the terrorists on both sides of the conflict. 

While he was speaking, I concentrated so hard on understanding his accent that I couldn’t fully process everything – until now. Looking at my photos is giving me the space to reflect and process.

I can’t look at my photos and not think about what I saw in Berlin…similar wall… Or Israel and Gaza… Or…everywhere else in the world divided by power, anger, and terrorism.

When, oh when!, will we ever be able to live together in peace???

Called the “Peace Wall,” it’s really 60 walls separating the Catholics and the Protestants.

This wall on the Catholic side shows how houses have a “grenade cage” to protect homes if a grenade is thrown over the wall.

Gates in the walls are closed every night (around 6:00-7:00 pm) and opened every morning (about 6:30am).  Although there are ways around them, one must drive a meandering route, making it harder for a terrorist to escape.

Murals on the Catholic side…

…and the Protestant side.

A wall of murals on the Catholic side was repainted supporting the Palestinians, which will stay up until there’s a permanent ceasefire.

The Protestants hang Israeli flags and support the Israelis.  Very upsetting is, as Joe said, Protestants will hang Israeli flags along with swastikas!