The Isle of Man

Today's breaking news on the Isle of Man is about window panes smashed by vandals in the capital city of Douglas, a kindergarten teacher who has 4 sets of twins in her classroom, and the unhappiness of the locals over the changes in the public bus timetables. Imagine living in such a place.

The Manx are fiercely proud of their history, and rightly so. It is fascinating:

    *Settlement of the Vikings beginning in the 9^th century and their establishment of Tynwald, the oldest parliament in continuous use

    *Struggles between Scotland and England over possession of Man (including a raid by Robert the Bruce!) with the English winning out in the 14^th century

    *Democratic Self-Rule since 1866 with a dependence on the British Crown

    *Internment camps for POW's and Enemy Aliens during both world wars

Today Man enjoys a resurgence of traditional Manx Celtic music and dance. They rely largely on the tourist trade. They know how to smoke a mean kipper.

I love the Isle of Man. I have heard it described as magical, and it is. Something akin to the Shire in Tolkien's Lord of the Rings with its gentle life and happy inhabitants. I may never leave my garret apartment facing the Irish Sea. Well, except to go buy more kippers.