Morning rush

Belfast is a city of fast walkers, which is wonderful on the morning "commute" because everyone keeps pace on the sidewalks. 

I got ready for the day with this delight:

 

(It's good! I swear!)

In preparation for my meeting with my mentor, I put this in my bag for him:

 

Then I straightened up the apartment and saw a menu on the coffe table. 

This morning Vivian had a hard time deciding what to have for lunch: what I packed or Chicken goujons. Check out Victoria's lunch menu:

 

I left a little early because I wanted to walk to Queen's rather than taking the bus so I could see more -- and show you more!

 

I can't get over the beautiful hills just beyond the city proper. Each street has gorgeous views with shades of green. 

 

Huh. Right in the city!

 

Another view. 

 

Ooooooh. Magical. 

 I'm a sucker for a pretty gate. 

 

I like to always check where I've been, where I am, and where I'm going. Directional mindfulness. 

 

Hi, guy on a wall. 

 

Across from guy on a wall is this beautiful church. Maybe he's looking at it? I wonder if it was planned as his view. 

 

Look! Look! Look! Queen's!

 

Cool stairs in a physics building. Go figure. 

 

Archways are around corners in the least likely places. 

 

Outside the library. How students feel pulling an all-nighter?

 

Where my meeting is. 

 

How to find your way around. 

 

Hee!

I met my mentor at his office, then went with him to a coffee shop where I had the most delicious carrot soup I ever tasted. The soup may have been enhanced by the flavor of discussion: Lehighton, the world, education, and community.  And he collects shirts; what a happy coincidence!

Then I had to dash off to pick up Viv and saw things along the way to share with you:

 

This is the building at the Botanic Gardens. 

 

It's not spring, but the flowers made me feel like it is 

 

A little birdhouse in my soul. 

 

I don't know what this is. But I like it. 

 A wedding!

Walk, walk, walk from Queen's to Victoria. I took Malone and made a right onto Marlborough:

And Viv had great news!

 

Brilliant!

The fun didn't stop there, though. Chris was at Queen's so we decided to go up there to see him. Viv wanted to take the bus but we waited and waited and waited and seriously. No bus. 25 minutes. So we walked and along the way we saw our neighbors and fellow Fulbrighter coming toward us! Vivi was thrilled to see the boy from next door because she is always excited to play with him. Tess, the grownup, asked if Viv wanted to go back to the apartment with them and I saw that my kid has no loyalty. If she could have pushed off of me to gain speed toward their apartment, she would have. 

Stunned by my childlessness, I half ran the remaining blocks because I knew poor Chris was waiting at the gate for a good 30 minutes and I still can't connect to wifi hotspots. L to Ehatsapp him about the bus debacle. 

But then I saw him! Yay! As we hugged, we had this conversation:

"Where's Viv?"

"I handed her off to someone on the street."

"Haha! You're kidding."

"No. No, I'm not."

Then I gave him the full context. But shocking him was delightful!

Off we went, arm in arm, to a fabulous restaurant:

 

 

 

I had the sausage; Chris had the beef. We're no dummies, so we totally shared, though I made out way better than he did because I got all sorts of yummy mushrooms from his. Win!

 

Every time I see Chris is another check in the Fun column of life. 

We had beautiful citrus drinks in fancy glasses:

 

That's rosemary in there with the citrus!

Even the bathrooms were super fancy, but I left my phone at the table so missed the chance to take a picture. (Side note: I just realized how often I've been taking pictures of bathrooms since I've been here. I will now self edit and give myself the feedback that it's probably getting weird.)

But I'd be remiss if I didn't show you the food:

 

 

 

Oh, come on. You knew I'd get chips. 

And he a piggie:

 

And then dinner was finished, our bellies were full, I realized for the thousandth time why I adore Chris and it was sadly time to part ways. 

I saw pretty sights on the way home:

 

 

 

 

Those are people doing yoga. Now I feel a little stalker-y. 

And back at the apartment?

Adorableness. 

 

Today I started at the middle star and went to the bottom star. 

 

Then bottom to middle. 

Then middle to top. 

Then top the bottom. 

Then bottom to middle. 

Then middle to top. 

Then top to middle. 

My stars!

All work and no play...

Remember when I said I was going to get so much reading done? Weeeeeeeeellllll, I did do some, but I also got a lot of emails taken care of and went through the next few weeks of my calendar.

I have a meeting tomorrow with my Fulbright mentor -- I'm really looking forward to it and have notes in my phone at the ready.

Next week I have a meeting at the Department of Education and spent some time figuring out the schedule of Vivi drop off and pick up and what mode of transportation will work best, ValueCab, train, or bus. Because of her drop off time and my meeting time (and it's 35 minutes to drive or 1 hour, 17 minutes transit), I think I'll ValueCab there and transit home.

I also have a Fulbright Welcome Reception coming up at Riddel House. Take a look!

 

I love you, Bus Map. You and I spend a lot of time together. Don't ever stray. Don't go too far away. I couldn't go on without you.

 
Vivi got mail! Thanks, Grandma!

Here's what a post box looks like in Belfast:
Vivi 

And here's what Vivi wants you all to know about mail. She wants it.
Apt. 2 38 Windsor Park
Belfast BT9 6FS
United Kingdom

And I bet we'll send you a postcard in return. ;)

This thing on my wrist is useful and comfortable and every time I leave the apartment, it's on my wrist. It has velcro and is the size to hold money or a debit card or, in my case, keys.

 

Everything in Belfast is close. See that white building? Queens is there. Not far, right?

Crosswalks are pretty cool. This is the light...

  and this is the button to press. It doesn't take long until...

The light changes and pedestrians are free to cross.

I like the trees lining this road and hope to see them bloom this spring.

Secret treehouse!

 
This door makes me think there's magic behind it.

Every time we pass a bus stop, Viv wants to get on one.

Bins! Not garbage cans!

 

We pass this house on the way to Victoria. 

 

Marlborough North? South? There's one in the middle, too!

Prep is on SOUTH. NOT North.  

I love this big, old tree:

 

  Viv's playground has this. <3 p="">
After school I wanted to take Viv for a surprise stop at Cafe Fish on Lisburn. What a great visit!
 

Tour Guide Vivi:

Gabby and Gary are fantastic! 

Viv wanted chicken, but I asked Gary what most people get so he put together cod and chips and mushy peas. He didn't steer me wrong because it was delicious and plentiful and warm and it smelled comforting and it steamed as I cut it and just thinking about me makes me drool a little.

Viv's chicken 

 Mine. Mmmm.

We had such a great time getting to know Gabby -- to say she's friendly and warm is not doing her justice. She's from about 20 minutes outside Belfast and (very romantically) got married to her husband after being together over 30 years. They have grown kids who are all on their own in jobs they like and their daughter is rising in the ranks of the police force in London. She showed us pictures and her daughter is gorgeous and looks just as friendly as Gabby. Since Vivi and I like dogs, she showed us a picture of her dog, but we are saving that for Viv's idea of a blog post on Dogs of Belfast.

I could have talked to Gabby for hours, but real life and responsibility beckon, so we headed back to the apartment for homework and laundry (but Viv read Snooty Prune to me again, so it's a Red Letter Night).