The way to learn about a city is to shop it- At least that's my story...and I'm sticking to it. After a few of our heavier class sessions, I decided it was time to blow off a little steam and get the perspective of the people- not the politics of the troubles, so I took it to the street.
Being in need of an additional piece of luggage- (Irish sweaters take up some serious room) I headed to the mall. I'm not a big fan of shopping malls, they just seem to lack character and imagination; but in a pinch, you've gotta go where supply meets demand.
These days, he is busy working at his cousins luggage store while testing his entrepreneurial skills. Recently, he started his own computer supply business. "Unemployment in this town is close to 40%- so you have to be a real go getter, and do what it takes." He managed to sell me a carry on bag- an upgrade from the one I had planned on purchasing. I congratulated him on his salesmanship and made my way to the quaint Crafters Village.
From the outside of the store, it's as if I've been teleported to Diagon alley (Harry Potter fans rejoice!)
Inside The Donegal shop, I am greeted by Eileen. She is busy assisting my classmates in the traditional Irish sweater store her Mother founded nearly 50 years ago. When she asks what we are doing in Derry, we tell her of our quest to study Peace Building through Dialogue. "Fantastic!" she replies, and offers us her unconditional "craic" (traditional Irish conversation for you folks back home.)
She tells of her recent completion of a video documentary "Together in Pieces" which has just landed her an invitation to the Washington D.C film festival. It is a serendipitous connection; the topic of the film is the changing landscape of Northern Ireland. The world famous murals and political slogans that have taunted its communities for over 40 years are being slowly transformed by a graffiti revolution.
It seems no one I meet in this town is just a shopkeeper-
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