Northern Ireland is beautiful.  I am a northerner and convinced that the further north you go, the prettier the world becomes.  I had initially visited Belfast, Northern Ireland over a decade ago.  At the time, there was still political strife and the air in Belfast was thick with tension.  Fast forward 16 years, Belfast is renewed.  People were out an about, walking the streets, shopping, mingling, exchanging welcoming glances.  It is beautiful.  My heart is glad for this city.