The night that we finished recording our last podcast, I went for some Chinese food with friends. We sat by the window and without even realizing it we had a prime view seating for the stand off that was about to take place. The police barracaded the street and we could see groups of teenagers in shells suits and hoodies egging each other on to throw glass bottles, bricks and rocks. The waiters in the restaurant calmy came around with license plates of cars and asked us if we had driven there? They recommended moving the car down the street away from the crossfire. Friends went out to do as they said, and while driving by I watched a little boy launch a glass bottle over my friends head. My heart was beating fast but those who have more experience living here told me to relax. They were cool as cucumbers. And I was still in awe of the police's six inch armor and their fire proof baliclavas. To view BBC footage of the rioting go to: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/4240398.stm#
Yesterday Belfast center was shut down, schools and classes canceled. Work ended the day early as people had to get home before the rioters barracaded the streets.
(Posted by Alicia Peyrano)
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