IT'S SATURDAY, I MUST BE IN....BELFAST

Ah, beautiful, historic Belfast. Where the immortal words "You're heeeeeeeeere, there's na-AAAAAA-thing I fear" worked on so many levels. Consider:

THE WORK

Another month, another far-flung consular outreach mission.  Past missions of the Embassy to Belfast were famously busy, exhausting and frenzied, but this year turned out to be quite smooth and manageable, not the least because of a veteran consular staff that was so seasoned and tested, they literally rolled off the van, set up the equipment and began taking in clients in under 10 minutes. I liked to pretend the clackity-clack of cameras, computers and printers swiftly being snapped into place was one of those Rambo-assembling-his-rifles scenes.

Although even Rambo would not have stood a chance against the kids' Calvin-picture taking (at least, not without dangling some magic susi)

My favourite, most satisfying part of the job: welcoming kababayans back to the Motherland's fold. In larger groups, there will always be someone who says hay salamat, Pilipino na uli, then there will be another who replies hindi naman talaga nawala sa puso ang pagka-Pilipino, eh.  I may or may not begin weeping and hug someone at this point.  Anyway, we're often asked what are the requirements to re-acquire/retain one's citizenship.  Quite simple really, all you need are: 1) completed forms; 2) oath of allegiance; and 3) dramatic backlighting.  

I only post these pictures because I've been told I have a face for radio (and a voice for blogging)

THE CITY CENTRE

Considering its storied and eventful past, the city was quite peaceful, relaxing and pleasant.  Indeed, there were strong indications while we were in Belfast that once deeply divided groups had finally come together and settled their differences once and for all.  I'm talking of course, of that weekend's New Kids On The Block/Backstreet Boys unification concert.

AND FINALLY, THE MASTER OF DISASTER

With some hours to spare before our return flight to London, the team had a chance to pass by Belfast's spanking new museum built to mark the 100th anniversary of the Titanic's one and only voyage.   We didn't actually have time to go inside, but it was obvious from the crowds coming out that the exhibits were sufficiently moving and touched the public's century-old fascination with the tragedy.    

Jack and Rose, however, were not quite able to re-create their magic