VIM BELFAST PEACE PROJECT 2016: Saturday, April 23: Crumlin Road Gaol, Titanic Museum, Dinner with Christina, Columb, Gavin

I'm excited to write about this day as a youth for others to experience our trip through a different perspective. Today traveling to the Crumlin Road Gaol was a journey on its own, walking into the jail we all gathered for a tour to see what it would have been like to be a prisoner or a police watchman. Looking back at the history of this jail was something that will stay with me forever by learning how each side of religion treated each other and themselves.

After a long cold 1/4 mile walk around the jail we went to the Titanic Museum where we went from eating a delicious lunch to seeing the difference between the lower decks of the Titanic where the workers lived and the luxurious living accommodations and dining arrangements for first class passengers. Leading for an exciting journey ahead to a devastating crash with an iceberg, it kept us walking through a history of a symbolic Titanic. Just after the walk we traveled down to the oldest remaining White Line (firm that built the Titanic) boat called the Nomadic where we were able to go inside and look around where many famous people walked (one of them being Charlie Chaplin), and trying on clothing that would be worn in the times of the Titanic.

Shopping is always a must have when traveling anywhere. Taking a cab, we visited the Victorian Square Shopping Mall where there were loads of shops with gifts and homemade woolen goods. One of my personal favorites in the mall was a flash mob that had girls dancing to music which made me so happy to see people still dancing for fun! After collecting new items and treasures we stopped at Prezzo for a nice Italian dinner with friends Christina, Columb and Gavin. Once this nice day was over we returned to the hotel to play a fun game of uno.

Submitted by Helen Maiellaro

CRUMLIN ROAD GAOL (CLOSED 1996)