10.08.07

I feel like my entire day today was consumed by looking for the internet.You would have thought it would have been easier in a busy metropolis like Belfast!I awoke early to a breakfast of eggs, toast, cereal and of course tea.I went with John on his morning commute to the city and walked to a Radisson hotel hoping to find the internet and update my blog.I had been worried that those that are actually reading it would get disinterested since I was not so quick to update it.So I was pleased to find the WIFI beaming and then an hour into it realized as my battery was dying that I had left my adapter at home.To make this machine work I not only have to have the cord and a converter but an adapter as well.What a pain!So I was not able to upload any pictures but did get the map updated atleast to show that I had indeed flown across the sea.

I spent the rest of the morning touring about downtown Belfast poking in the shops and just watching everyone moving about in their routines.Hilda picked me up and back home to lunch and a drop in by some friends for afternoon tea.It was delightful just stopping life for a few moments and chatting with your neighbor.We talked about all sorts of things, politics etc.This I think was the highlight of the day for me.Not that it was adventure filled, but that both Hilda and I were in a rush to get out the door and do some touring when the couple dropped in.It was only customary to stop and invite them in to chat.At first I was a little put off, but then realized this is why we do the things we do.Why we work so hard why we exist.We need to be in relationship and what a better way to do that with your neighbors than over a pot of tea sitting in the living room.No TV no radio no distractions.Just complete interaction.I think we all get so caught up in living our own lives that we miss out on these little pleasures.Stop and enjoy the insights and intellects around you.

We did make it out again and of course to find the internet so I could finish all the picture uploading to the website.After several attempts to the library and a couple of coffee shops no luck.I did find one coffee shop that had it but it was broken…hmmm…I just was not supposed to add more today!

In the middle of all this I was stopping in at the post office and medical centers to get a medical number for myself.As a British citizen I am able to sign up for the socialized medicine program and hopefully even get medical insurance in the EU as I travel.After several places I figured it out and have some working on it yet to do.

Every meal that I have had has been at the table, properly served sitting and chatting.It has been wonderful.Monday nights are club Badminton nights so we all shot off after dinner to play.What a great game and great social time.It is amazing what Hilda and John fit into a day.I can see some of you all now complaining about all the things to do.There is no sitting around watching TV in N. Ireland that is for sure.

We are off to the Theater tomorrow night and then tennis and table tennis at their club!I think I am going to need a vacation from this vacation sometime soon!That's all for now.Be sure to check out the video section of the webpage I am going to attempt to upload a short video of the badminton match tonight.