While teaching in Istanbul I became something of an expert in reading
Newspapers in the store,
upside down.
I would go out, "on research"
looking this way and that ... seeking out more and more interesting
items to teach to our students in Conversation Club in the evenings .
And I started reading
upside down, so
today in Southampton was
no exception. I was in West Quay Centre and standing as I do
patiently in the queue for coffee I was reading for at least
5 minutes the Daily Telegraph and the picture in the front page
caught my attention .. In fact I was glued to the newspaper as
the waitress chatted to her friend about what they were doing
either tonight. today or tomorrow.
Finally, I got it. Martin McGuinness of Sinn Fein Party and
Ian Paisley D.U.P. Party are now voted in - in Northern
Ireland Assembly at Stormont Castle outside Belfast,
in Northern Ireland.
They are both photographed, grinning from ear to ear, and its
seen as a momentous day all round for these two warriors
of the Troubles of Northern Ireland Past ... they are known
in the Province of Ulster, as Traditional Enemies ... so its
odd to see them together in tandem ...
I was surprised to note the amount of space given to Northern
Ireland but I gather this space is heralding the importance
our Prime Minister Tony Blair attributes to this deal in
Northern Ireland. When interviewed Mr. Blair said that the
horror of Omagh Bombing would be the darkest day in his
period in Office in Government at No: 10 Downing Street,
when the IRA bombed the citizens of Omagh in Northern
Ireland.
The success of these current endeavours in Stormont
Castle are in no small way attributed to Mr. Blair''s
premiership and his strong leadership during these
difficult negotiations between Sinn Fein and the
Democratic Unionist Party ...
So my time was well spent in Istanbul and the skills of
reading upside down, dare I say it, in English have
stood me in good stead ... I now find something to
do as I wait for Costa Coffee at West Quay Centre
in Southampton, UK.
Excellent stuff ... in today''s Daily Telegraph ...