Ok so upon moving here l was presented with mixed views on living here in NI. Granted l knew of the past history and such and prepared myself for life here as this is the country l fell in love with!
When l first came here l came face to face with a military man carrying an M-16 rifle. (shock at first) especially when you see other military men walking around the streets carrying them too. Then it passes and you adjust. Now, this doesn't happen everyday about once a week you see the military walking the streets. You do see the military men in these strange trucks, two men placed on top and the only thing you see is the top of their helmets and the rifles driving in 3's around the towns, ok you pay no attention. While driving between towns you sometimes get the military stopping traffic, most of the time you just smile and they wave you on, sometimes they stop you and ask, where are you from? what are you doing? "Nothing sir, l live at such and such address"
they let you pass. You do get the occasional helicopter flying by, But........what you don't expect is............
to see Helicopters landing in the field in front of your house, dropping military men off and them scattering into the fields surrounding your house!
Then about 15-20 mins later, helicopters returning to pick up said men and then dropping off more! They keep doing this for about 2 hours more! Ummmmmmmmm kind of makes you a little nervous, considering you are in the house alone. Actually, to be honest, it was a little exciting!! All those men!!
Oh yeah um forgot---Me is married! :-/
But please don't let this put you off coming to NI, it is a beautiful country that one should not miss. l just wanted to add a little bit about life here! But it is comforting to know that if you ever break down on the side of the street, the military will show up faster than AA!! lol