Enter Belfast!

So I landed in Belfast airport Saturday afternoon!!! It's crazy...but true!:) What a change!
Things went really fast in the end! I juggled between many locations considering which could be the best place to divert my research to and in the end N.Ireland just seemed the most appropriate and realistic option out of all of them. There are many similar aspects between the situation of Ahmedabad and that of Belfast which i can implement!
I was also very lucky to have Elena (my fellow classmate) already situated here which has been a great advantage and help!
It's also been amazing how things have been falling into place so smoothly since i got here and how 'lucky' i have been with everything up till now! I can hardly believe it...especially considering my recent track record ;) I've also met soo many friendly and helpful people...its not normal!

Saturday: I quickly 'acclimatized' which was pretty 'easy' considering the similar weather conditions and the language. Though i must say its still takes getting used to...have to ask people to repeat themselves at times...and have already learnt some 'craicing' new expressions;) . I also have to get used to the many ominous security gates, walls and barbed wire in certain locations.
The first night i spent at Elena's friends which was really handy and comfortable for the start!
'My first impression of N.Ireland were the very strange and very unhandy setup of taps! The two extremes...no middleway';)

Sunday: We went to off to Derry where the annual 'Bloody Sunday'March takes place! This was a great opportunity to get right into the atmosphere and to be able to participate in an event which has had such a significance in Northern Ireland's history. It was absolutely freeeeezing but well worth it! I also met up with some artists and even got a an appointment for the next day with a playwright!'Elena and the native...Sean!'

Monday: So i stayed back in Derry and had a really nice meeting with the playwright who has theatre company called 'Soul purpose'. He writes plays about the conflict and tours with them around the country performing in theatres, community centres and various locations where theatres don't normally go to. It was great to listen to his theatre concepts and i was given many scripts and a report of his recent work. He even bought me lunch! There is however not a play touring at the moment considering the 'conflict theme' though i may perhaps get a chance to see one of the performances next month. It was still a great start, inspiration and material to begin with. Got a lift back to Belfast and that evening Elena and i moved into our 'own' place! Ate my first 'fish n chips'!!! It was what can i say...very 'oily'!;)

Tuesday: Whilst in Holland I had already sent off emails hither and thither and was able to get in touch with an organization in Belfast and was able to make an appointment with them.
It was really sucessful! The coordinator was really interested in my research and has 'opened the doors' for me to be able to base my research from their organization! It is called the New Belfast Arts initiative and is situated in the Cathderal Quarter, a kind of artistic neighbourhood here in Belfast where many things 'are going on'. Even though we haven't made concrete plans and i haven't found a concrete project to follow it's still wonderful to be able to operate from this organization office, a beautiful studio, who have many contacts etc. I may also be carrying out some volunteer work for the organization and make myself useful around here which is a good exchange i think. Check out their website: http://www.newbelfastarts.org/newlook.htm

So as you can imagine i am feeling really relieved and optimistic at the moment, especially considering how much time i have already lost and all the 'bad luck' i've been having. I am really happy to be able finally given the chance to be able to catch up on my research as soon as possible! So this is a fresh new start...a fresh new weblog and fresh new 'proper' research updates ;) I hope you will enjoy reading them......till soon!

Anecdote: Guess which restaurant is around the corner to our house?...An Indian one! And guess what our roommate is called? Amrita!!! ...India is still lurking about somehow! ;)

p.s. I've already counted more than 10 'real' redheads...and still counting;)