Vagabonds

No, no, I didn't become a vagabond and I didn't run in to one. Vagabonds is the name of the hostel I'm staying at here in Belfast. And as I've just finished discussing with my new temporary roommates, it's really nice! I haven't been here a full night yet, but if you're looking for a place to stay in Belfast and like youth/backpackers hostels, I highly recommend this place! The people are friendly, there's free wifi, and when I first got here they were watching Robin Hood: Men in Tights in the common area, so really, need I go on? They also have super nice/clean bathrooms/showers, which I'm not used to from hostels. A+ vagabonds. I'm sad I'll only be here for 2 nights - I could definitely spend a while here. If I were fresh from the States I would say it's a bit of a walk from City Hall, but coming from Oxford, it's a very average/short walk. Not through the best parts of town, but no where sketch. It's near Queens University too, if I need a bus.

Speaking of busses. I'm back at the hostel now looking at my options for tomorrow. I have one full day in Northern Ireland, and then I have to be up and out early Friday morning to be on my way home to Texas! There are so many things I could do and places I could go! Because of the small about of time I have, I haven't arranged to meet up with anyone here (also because I don't know if any of them would remember me?) so I'm on my own. In one sense this is nice, but I also really, REALLY wish my friend were here. Especially my roomies! *HUGS Y'ALL*

I got here around 3pm, and spent the rest of the evening (it's 9pm now) at the Christmas market here in Belfast, as well as walking around some of the streets I remember from my time here in 2012. So much is the same - a lot of the same people at the market, including the Meats of the World guys. They make burgers with things like wild boar and kangaroo. It's SO good. (This is when all my new vegetarian friends start to hate me. Actually that's an interesting side note: one thing there are a LOT more of here in the UK (Oxford at least) is 1.) smokers and 2.) vegetarians. I thought that was a funny co-incidence. Then again maybe it's just the philosophy department that has all the vegetarians...hmm.)

Not everything is the same, though. White's Tavern, my favorite place for dinner last time I was here, seems to be under new management, or at least has re-branded. I didn't go in (because I just ate burgers) but the menu was changed, as was the sign :(. Still, it's good to be back. Walking past the bookstores and the mall and the pharmacy and the market - without even going in, it's a comfort that they're all still there. I found some Christmas presents for friends and FINALLY got something for my sister too. (You think you're easy to buy for but you're just not.) So that's good.

Gonna hit the hey early, I think. After I take a look over the busses. I'll try to attach some pics at the end of this. Goodnight from Belfast!