Dumb in Derry, or is it Londonderry

I am fascinated by history and three counties that have history most interesting to me are Mexico, France and Ireland. Last night while showing Lil my pictures, she brought up a phone call I made to her one night from Derry. I called because from my room I watched British troops patrol beneath my window, she could hear the noise of helicopters crossing the sky. I called because I was a bit freaked out having gone to a pub known as an IRA hangout in the Bogside. I had asked to many questions and raised some ire. I lifted too many pints as well. This was long before I wrote travel articles; I went out of sheer curiosity.

One great part of traveling to Ireland is the wonderful book stores filled with books in English; they tend to be the souvenirs I love bringing back. I bought a book called The Telling Years… Belfast 1972 by Malachi O’ Doherty. The book was a well a balanced look at the troubles by a young catholic journalist. I had to laugh at myself a wee bit after reading it. One strange night in Derry long ago freaked me out, O’ Doherty lived it day after day. I have to pass it on to Max who also visited Belfast.