An Irish Interview .

With brief trips complete to Wales and Scotland done, what remained in completing the jigsaw that makes up the United Kingdom was Northern Ireland. Well I was not consciously trying to cover the globe, but when the situation presented itself, I could hardly stop myself from jumping at it.
It so happened that I was invited to attend an interview at Queen’s university, Belfast. The Job is for a teaching technician and the university agreed to pay for my travel to and fro from Belfast and accommodation costs for two nights. What more could I ask!.
Belfast is the capital city of Northern Ireland and the best way to access it is by flight. While there are buses which would go on a ferry, the journey is about 18 hours moreover, buses travel via southern Ireland, which is not a part of the U.K. and thus requires a transit visa. With my only previous flight experience being when I arrived here in the U.K., I was only too happy to expand on the experience. Starting from Heathrow, the BMI airbus 321 flight lasted just over an hour before I got my first aerial views over Belfast
From the airport I made my way to the city centre trying to absorb the sights of a new city and find my hotel at the same time. I was pleasantly surprised when I discovered that my accommodation was to be in a two star hotel, which normally would have cost 85 pounds for a night complete with a luxury double bed, flat screen T.V. and on suite bath.
My plan was to see as much as possible of Belfast as possible in the three days I had and make the best of this opportunity irrespective of the outcome of the interview. With the interview scheduled for the following day I decided not to waste time settling in and set out straight into the city armed with a map of tourist attractions within the city.
Belfast is a city with a lot of history. And its streets are littered with historical buildings, mostly Victorian. And as I got my first sights of the city I realised there was a difference between life in England and here. Somehow it seemed as though life was a little less hectic and the pressure was a little less. The people too seemed more friendly and I wondered why especially since the people here have had some painful times historically, with the catholic protestant divide.
My first visit took me along the streets and past several important locations to the Lagan Weir. The Lagan is the river flowing across Belfast and in the past when the waters receded with the low tides, it gave the city a foul smell. However the weir (a low dam) built across the river ensured that the water levels remained. This has also contributed economically and socially to the city’s progress.
.Situated almost adjacent is Donegal quay where Harry Houdini performed some magical disappearing acts , and from where seamen historically set out on long voyages. Also visible from here is the Harland and Wolf shipyard, where several world famous ships, including the Titanic were built.
Situated almost adjacent these were the customs house and transport house all impressive Victorian buildings. I realised that Belfast thrived upon tourism and depended on it for its economy. Infact there were plenty of tourists around even at this time of winter.Alas as I was enjoying these sights the heavens opened up and decided to drench me . To make matters worse I lost my way in the unfamiliar city and wandered about cold and hungry for a while before I found my bearings ato make it back to the luxury of my hotel .
The next day was my interview and I was a bit nervous as always, however I made an early start practicing imaginary answers to imaginary questions posed by an imaginary panel. When I could bear the waiting no longer I decided to take a walk and got to see my first sights of the spectacular structure that was Queens University. I wandered around a bit and arrived almost an hour early for the interview. However that allowed me to relax a bit before I was called. The interview went on alright and I left impressed with myself and relived to get it out of the way.I then resumed my role as a tourist. This time covering the entire history of Ireland through the eyes of the Ulster museum. As mentioned before Belfast has a rich history starting from prehistoric times. It also had significant roles to play in the medieval and recent history, especially with the IRA the catholic protestant divides. The museum showcased all these. Also captured were the natural and artistic histories of the place, including dinosaur skeletons and a Nobel prize medal.To see more photographs covering my entire trip please click this
and select the Belfast album.
The Ulster museum is actually situated within the Botanical gardens of Belfast which is an attraction within itself. Situated within the gardens is the glass palm house.And a tropical ravine house in which I was left wondering whether I was really in the U.K. or lost in a jungle in India. These are Victorian greenhouses housing a wide variety of tropical plants, and made me miss my adventures at home in days gone by.
Content with the days sights. I finally retired to my hotel for the night.
The final day turned out to be tougher for me as I had to check out early and my flight wasn’t until the night. I ended up burdened with a huge bag that impeded my sightseeing. Oh yeah. That day turned out to be my birthday, thanks a lot for the surprise calls and messages that I received on the day.
Anyway I did manage to cover some ground with my luggage and got to see the Belfast cathedral, the massive and hugely impressive Belfast city hall the Europa hotel, the most bombed hotel in Ireland (33 times), the opera house, and the leaning tower of Belfast (a clock tower that leans).
Yet after seeing so many sights, I realise that there was so much more to see in Belfast. A truly touristy place. Anyway I’m back in Plymouth now. And I’ve got word that I didn’t get the job as although my skills were impressive, the job had no research and my skills would not be utilised for it. So I’ve resumed my job hunt, but I’m grateful for having got to see the magnificent place that is Belfast.