Originally Posted by rebeccajo

We will be going back to my husband's hometown in Northern Ireland in two weeks. For a visit.

Because we'd like to return there someday, I've always tried to look at the city like I live there. Not like a tourist. I'm advantaged over some Americans in that regard, because when I am there I'm not staying in a hotel or a smart little B and B. I'm staying with my BIL in a little terrace house in a working class neighborhood.

I always try to "see" the garbage and the grey sky. I try to imagine just walking home like - say after work.

I'm sure you get my drift. I do think - for you - that a visit would be a good idea. Just to let you know what life is like there. It's surprisingly different. Much of it in a good way, in my opinion. My husband worries I would have problems with lack of daylight in the winter. And the rain. I can remember walking up a hill one time feeling like I was being pushed by the wind!

Originally Posted by robin1234

The climate and weather thing, and what different people can and want to adapt to, is funny. My wife is from New York City, I'm from the London area. She likes hot weather, 75 to 85, say, and sunshine. She doesn't even go out in the rain. I like cooler weather, 45 to 75, and overcast wih drizzle makes my day. We are completely incompatible. We've lived together for forty years.