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.