It has been a good week so far. Classes have brought some intense material. We're learning more and more about the conflict and how it destroyed peoples' lives and how divided people still are to this day.
Yesterday we took a fieldtrip to Derry/Londonderry. The girls interning in Derry met with their internship supervisors while the rest of us grabbed a snack and explored a little. We went up and visited St. Columbs Cathedral and around the Bishops Gate and saw an incredible view of the city from on top of it.
A little bit later when we were all reunited, we met up with a tour guide who started at the historic walls of Derry and gave us a bit of history. We then stopped in the Verbal Arts centre for a cup of coffee and handed back out onto the Bishops Gate. We circled around through the Protestant section of the city, back through the Bishops Gate down into the Catholic section of the city. It's sad that the city is still so divided, literally by physical barriers. They are called Peace walls but that's not what they are in my opinion.
After having lunch in a community centre in the Bogside, we made our way along a street in the Catholic section and saw all the murals depicting scenes from the troubles or dedicated to victims of the troubles. They were really interesting. Our tour guide was a great guy and seemed very passionate and connected to the history of his country. He then brought us to the Museum of Free Derry . It's dedicated to the telling of one side of the story and a special part is for Bloody Sunday.
It was a very long and emotionally charged day. There's just something about being there and seeing the exact spot where someone was killed. It was hard for me not to take sides after hearing more about Bloody Sunday and watching a movie about it. However, it's not about taking sides. That's the opposite of what people need to do. What needs to happen is people accepting their differences and choosing to come together and move forward.
Today was also emotional as we reflected about what we saw and heard in Derry. We also watched a movie called Five Minutes in Heaven. It stars Liam Neeson and is about all the consequences that come with one's choices, specifically killing someone.
Tonight we are heading to the Anchor Bar in Portrush and this weekend.. who knows! It's an adventure.
Cheers.
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Saturday, February 16, 2013
The Legend of Finn McCool
My second week in Ireland has brought some struggles and successes. My computer died about 4 days after I got here so I finally got a new one about 3 days ago. Since then I've been reinstalling all my programs and transfering files onto my new one. We picked internships on Sunday and I got one of my top choices, Public Achievement, which is based in Belfast. Coincidentally, this organization began in St. Paul. It focuses on youth and civic participation. I'm looking forward to having a purpose here and being able to hopefully help someone.
We moved into our dorms at the Coleraine campus for the University of Ulster on Monday. We will be here till March 1st when we will split up for our internship sites. I've living with one girl from my group and 2 Irish girls who are both very nice, funny and helpful. I'm glad that we were able to meet them and get to know them a little. Alex and I got to get their take on the conflict and recent events in NI and the US.
This week also brought the start of our first class, Understanding the Northern Ireland Conflict. This is chiefly led by our program director, Nigel but we've also had a couple guest speakers already.
We've been doing a lot of walking this week. We found the main shopping center for Coleraine so we've walked down there a few times to get a few things that we need, browse the styles in Northern Ireland and waste some time.
On Sunday we visited a place near Corrymeela called Murlough Bay. Unfortunately that day it was very rainy and cold. Despite that, it was really amazing. I'd love to go back when the sun was shining.
On Monday we got to visit Dunluce Castle and Giant's Causeway. Both were very beautiful and so far Giant's Causeway has been my favorite place that I've seen. Standing on the hexagonal rocks watching the waves crash over them and thinking about where I was on the globe was magical. I'm still in love with the landscape here. If you haven't read the legend of Giant's Causeway I would recommend doing that. It was quite a walk down there from the parking lot and quite a walk back up, so much so that my legs were sore for a few days! It was also strange walking around the ruins of Dunluce Castle knowing that a couple hundred years ago, people were living there. I tried Fish 'n chips in NI for the first time and it was pretty great. What we call fries, they call chips and what we call chips, they call crisps. It was has been interesting trying to get the lingo down.
Tonight we are going to a club in Portrush called Kelly's. We're not sure how it will be since Irish kids go out on the weekdays (wednesday specifically) and go home and work on the weekends. Either way, it will be an experience. More blogging soon!
We moved into our dorms at the Coleraine campus for the University of Ulster on Monday. We will be here till March 1st when we will split up for our internship sites. I've living with one girl from my group and 2 Irish girls who are both very nice, funny and helpful. I'm glad that we were able to meet them and get to know them a little. Alex and I got to get their take on the conflict and recent events in NI and the US.
This week also brought the start of our first class, Understanding the Northern Ireland Conflict. This is chiefly led by our program director, Nigel but we've also had a couple guest speakers already.
We've been doing a lot of walking this week. We found the main shopping center for Coleraine so we've walked down there a few times to get a few things that we need, browse the styles in Northern Ireland and waste some time.
On Sunday we visited a place near Corrymeela called Murlough Bay. Unfortunately that day it was very rainy and cold. Despite that, it was really amazing. I'd love to go back when the sun was shining.
On Monday we got to visit Dunluce Castle and Giant's Causeway. Both were very beautiful and so far Giant's Causeway has been my favorite place that I've seen. Standing on the hexagonal rocks watching the waves crash over them and thinking about where I was on the globe was magical. I'm still in love with the landscape here. If you haven't read the legend of Giant's Causeway I would recommend doing that. It was quite a walk down there from the parking lot and quite a walk back up, so much so that my legs were sore for a few days! It was also strange walking around the ruins of Dunluce Castle knowing that a couple hundred years ago, people were living there. I tried Fish 'n chips in NI for the first time and it was pretty great. What we call fries, they call chips and what we call chips, they call crisps. It was has been interesting trying to get the lingo down.
Tonight we are going to a club in Portrush called Kelly's. We're not sure how it will be since Irish kids go out on the weekdays (wednesday specifically) and go home and work on the weekends. Either way, it will be an experience. More blogging soon!
2/8 - The second day in Northern Ireland was better than the first since we were slightly less tired and hadn't been on a plane all day. We had breakfast at 8:30am, did some orientation things, took numerous tea/coffee/biscuit breaks, had lunch at 1, did more orientation things, and then had supper at 6:30. The Corrymeela Community volunteers make good food and I never go away unsatisfied. I'm also newly addicted to biscuits, their version of cookies.
We had the night free so Nigel offered to take us down to Ballycastle to go to the pub. We started in McConnor's where we all got our first Irish beer (I got Guinness). We then proceeded to go across the narrow street to McHenry's where we spent the rest of the night. I had a screwdriver and spent most of the time we were there talking to Nigel about women's rights and politics in Northern Ireland and the US.
2/9 - The next day we had the same type of morning and we had planned to go to Giant's Causeway but it was raining again. Instead, Nigel took us to the Old Bushmills Distillery for a tour and a free drink. It was really interesting learning about the process of making whiskey. It takes about a week to make before they let it age in barrels. Unfortunately, I decided that whiskey is just not for me even though I tried Irish Honey which is supposedly marketed towards girls because of its sweeter taste. It didn't taste sweet to me! I tried my friend's Hot Toddy and I liked that much better.
The rest of the night was pretty quiet. We all just sat around together, talking and laughing and telling stories and getting to know each other.
2/10 - I'm shocked that I've already been here for over 3 days. Despite the short time, I feel like I've known Nigel and everyone in the group for much longer. I guess that happens when you spend every minute together.
We had the night free so Nigel offered to take us down to Ballycastle to go to the pub. We started in McConnor's where we all got our first Irish beer (I got Guinness). We then proceeded to go across the narrow street to McHenry's where we spent the rest of the night. I had a screwdriver and spent most of the time we were there talking to Nigel about women's rights and politics in Northern Ireland and the US.
2/9 - The next day we had the same type of morning and we had planned to go to Giant's Causeway but it was raining again. Instead, Nigel took us to the Old Bushmills Distillery for a tour and a free drink. It was really interesting learning about the process of making whiskey. It takes about a week to make before they let it age in barrels. Unfortunately, I decided that whiskey is just not for me even though I tried Irish Honey which is supposedly marketed towards girls because of its sweeter taste. It didn't taste sweet to me! I tried my friend's Hot Toddy and I liked that much better.
The rest of the night was pretty quiet. We all just sat around together, talking and laughing and telling stories and getting to know each other.
2/10 - I'm shocked that I've already been here for over 3 days. Despite the short time, I feel like I've known Nigel and everyone in the group for much longer. I guess that happens when you spend every minute together.
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Flight and Day 1 at Corrymeela
This is my first time out of the country and being on my own for so long. Although I had been excited leading up to the day, I was pretty nervous the day of. There was an emotional goodbye with my boyfriend and my family that was tough for me to handle. However, once I got through security in the airport I felt better. I met up with the other girl from my program that was on the same flight. The flight to Newark wasn't too bad. We had the tailwind and got there early. Alex and I got some food and settled down in the gate for our next flight to Belfast. Eventually we recognized the other people from our group and sat with them and we all got to know eachother. Despite the fact that the flight from Newark to Belfast was only 6 hours long, we got there 12 hours later because of the time change.
We were all exhausted and suffering from jetlag when we arrived. However, meeting Nigel and Mallory revived us a little. Nigel is a hilarious guy and everyone in my program group seems great. I'm excited to get to know them better.
After leaving the airport, we settled in for the drive to the University of Ulster to register. It was strange but fun being there and listening to all the wonderful accents of the native students around us. After registering and getting our official University of Ulster IDs, we drove to Corrymeela.
The minute I stepped out of the airport, I fell in love with the rural landscape of Northern Ireland. Everything was lush and green and beautiful. I felt as if we fell straight into a movie. There were sheep grazing on rolling green hills, pretty little cottages with stately driveways, and the small but speedy European vehicles. Driving on the left side of the road takes a little getting used to. I cringed away from the cars passing us on the wrong side. I know I'd never get used to driving over here.
Finally we reached Corrymeela where, to our great relief, they had lunch waiting for us even though we were late. It was nice to sit down to a good meal. We got briefed by Elizabeth, one of the workers, about all the do's and don't's about the Corrymeela Community.
Later on, a few of us took a walk along the beach. It was a bit chilly and rainy but listening to the waves crashing on the shore and looking at the faint shadow of Scotland in the distance was wonderful. I had dreamed of seeing the cliffs along the ocean and hopefully soon I will be able to stand on top, like that amazing shot of Keira Knightley as Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice when she's in Derbyshire with her aunt and uncle. Best shot of the entire movie and it's exactly what Corrymeela looks like. Beautiful <3. I can't wait to see more of Northern Ireland and to meet more of its inhabitants.
We were all exhausted and suffering from jetlag when we arrived. However, meeting Nigel and Mallory revived us a little. Nigel is a hilarious guy and everyone in my program group seems great. I'm excited to get to know them better.
After leaving the airport, we settled in for the drive to the University of Ulster to register. It was strange but fun being there and listening to all the wonderful accents of the native students around us. After registering and getting our official University of Ulster IDs, we drove to Corrymeela.
The minute I stepped out of the airport, I fell in love with the rural landscape of Northern Ireland. Everything was lush and green and beautiful. I felt as if we fell straight into a movie. There were sheep grazing on rolling green hills, pretty little cottages with stately driveways, and the small but speedy European vehicles. Driving on the left side of the road takes a little getting used to. I cringed away from the cars passing us on the wrong side. I know I'd never get used to driving over here.
Finally we reached Corrymeela where, to our great relief, they had lunch waiting for us even though we were late. It was nice to sit down to a good meal. We got briefed by Elizabeth, one of the workers, about all the do's and don't's about the Corrymeela Community.
Later on, a few of us took a walk along the beach. It was a bit chilly and rainy but listening to the waves crashing on the shore and looking at the faint shadow of Scotland in the distance was wonderful. I had dreamed of seeing the cliffs along the ocean and hopefully soon I will be able to stand on top, like that amazing shot of Keira Knightley as Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice when she's in Derbyshire with her aunt and uncle. Best shot of the entire movie and it's exactly what Corrymeela looks like. Beautiful <3. I can't wait to see more of Northern Ireland and to meet more of its inhabitants.
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