A Fieldtrip to Belfast and moving to Derry!

Greetings!

I am now writing my blog entry from my very own room! Yesterday, 7 of the 13 group members packed up all of our belongings and moved to the city of Londonderry (also referred to as Derry for both political and convenience sake.) I again have a great living accommodation. My own bedroom, shared kitchen and bathroom, and most importantly internet! The only complaint I have so far are the various ‘alarms’ that go off in the middle of the night/early morning. Fire alarms, security alarms, and maybe even a car alarm. It seemed to be a reoccurring theme in the past 24 hours but I hope that soon will stop. The flat is located within the student accommodations at the University of Ulster Magee campus. We are about a block away from the main campus that is filled with older buildings and beautiful architecture.

Today we set off to explore the city. My flat is about a 20 minute walk away from the city center. My internship is located there so I am pleased with the short distance. There are plenty of cafes and great shopping that I’m guessing will be testing my self-control! There was rain today but nothing unbearable. I cannot even count how many times I was asked where I was from. To the many people I talked with none of them could understand the -30 degree weather and snow that Minnesotans deal with. I think they would prefer their rain any day. I’m looking forward to more exploring tomorrow but for the time being my legs are exhausted.

Although ‘the big move’ has been the highlight of my week, I want to quickly recap my experiences from the last couple of days.

We finished up our 3 week intensive classroom sessions last week. The days were long and the material was grueling but some of the speakers were quite fascinating. On Monday we were invited to lunch at the Coleraine Council Borough. We meet with a head politician and three ‘Good Relations Workers’ from various cities. It was interesting to listen and see first hand how city politics can function with many different parties represented.

Then on Wednesday morning we left bright and early for Belfast. The trip took us all over the very big city. To start the morning off right a couple group members and I enjoyed a delicious ‘Ulster Fry.’ My friend Anne called it ‘cardiac arrest on a plate’ but it was delicious. (the picture to the right is couple of the girls and where we dined!) Mom and Dad you will have to try one when you come and visit! The first part of the morning we had a walking tour given by a Nationalist. We walked up and down a Nationalist/Republican/Catholic area. The community seemed functioning and for the most part vibrant with business. After the tour we meet with a City Council member and party member of Sinn Fein. It was very
interesting to compare his ideas about politics with those of the council member that we meet on Monday, who was a Loyalist. I felt very privileged to meet with a man of such importance and history with the conflicts, and also very proud of our group for asking tough questions. I cannot say I was satisfied with his answers, however, that has sparked new questions that I seek to find answers! (the picture to the right is some of the group and the speaker outside of a Sinn Fein office) After lunch it was like we ‘crossed the border.’ We met with a former Unionist paramilitary for a tour in our van. We visited various Loyalists spots around Belfast. Within the Unionist paramilitaries and communities there is a lot of inter conflict. Our tour guide who was a former UVF member would not get out of the van in the predominantly UDA territory. This experience gave me a real sense for how much the tension still exists today. So now I have a better understanding that the conflict is by no means just between the Catholics and the Protestants but between each other. Our time with this man made me really think about forgiveness and reconciliation. He told our group first thing that he had killed 4 people and that he went to prison for it. Today he is working in an organization that promotes cross community action. It got me thinking that maybe people can change. (the picture down below is a frightening image and yet these are murals that are painted on houses in regular neighborhoods, this is one found in a loyalist neighborhood.) After that last tour we left the city in comparable traffic to Minneapolis and headed back to Coleraine.

Thursday, our last day all together flew by! We were a very lucky group of college students and were invited to the house of our program director for dinner. Nigel’s wife Janice made a delicious lasagna and exceptional apple crisp. The best part of the evening was visiting with their 1 ½ year old daughter Lydia. She is adorable. It was a really nice gesture for inviting all 13 of us and I know I appreciated the great home cooked meal while away from home! That evening was spent packing and saying goodbyes at a local pub with live traditional music. I only wish I could master that dancing before I come home. It looks like a blast!

That is about it for me as of now. I am continuing to have a great time and the next time I write will be after I start my internship with The Junction on Monday. I am very excited, nervous, and anxious all in one!

Sending love across the pond,

Sara

Londonderry or Derry?

Greetings! It has been about a week since my last post and what a week it has been! I’m now just starting to feel a little tired from all that we have been doing. However, I continue to listen to my alarm in the morning and successfully get out of bed, once that stops I know I will be in trouble.

So many great things have happened over the past week. We have learned about so much of the history and of the conflict in Northern Ireland. During the week days we have often been in class from around 10-4 each day with our program director and other various guest speakers and University staff, all of whom know a great deal about what they’re talking about! I think the most fascinating session for me so far has been a special presentation on the mural artwork that can be seen throughout the country. We as a group were fortunate to sit in on this lecture that was for Masters students who are training to becoming history teachers. Because so much of the history here is often based on one’s point of view, you can see how difficult it is to teach children (and their parent’s too) about the history of Northern Ireland and the entire island. This specific lecture was given by a former Inspector of Education who was somewhat critical of the past teachings, or lack there of, of the controversial murals. (an example mural which is dedicated to those killed in Bloody Sunday in Londonderry/Derry) He was urging the students in the class to take control of their classrooms regardless if they are integrated or not and teach with passion, truth, and creativity. There is so much to learn about the murals that are painted by ordinary people but portray both strong and intelligent Loyalist or Nationalist viewpoints. I could not help throughout the 2 ½ hour lecture to think about the U.S. education system and evaluate my own education and what I see happening for the future. (feel the pressure Louise?!?!)

Over the weekend I was able to relax a bit. On Saturday, the whole group walked about 3 miles to a small town called Portstewart. It was a beautiful walk on a perfect day! I only had to wear a hoodie sweatshirt and jeans (sorry to rub it in freezing Minnesotans!) The town is right on the water and it made for a perfect opportunity to sit and eat an ice cream cone! After the long walk back the group enjoyed another fun family meal of pasta and then with a full stomach and tired legs I was out like a rock on my not so comfortable mattress.

I am currently writing to you after just getting back from a long and busy day filled with travel, meetings, and a whole lot of learning! Again led by our trusty program director, Nigel, all thirteen of us piled into the 15 passenger van and headed to Londonderry/Derry for the day. I was especially excited about this trip because this city is what I will call ‘home’ for our 7 week internship time. After a short hour trip with again beautiful scenery for entertainment, we arrived in the city. (picture to the right is of the River Foyle, which divides the city) Many of you may now ponder why it has such a long name. The official city name given by the Queen herself is Londonderry. However, with the mainly Catholic population and nationalist sentiments it is often called Derry by those who wish Britain had nothing to do with the city. Much of our day was spent learning about the very important and at times painful past of the city. With the Battle of the Bogside, Civil Rights Movement, and Bloody Sunday all being key events to the rest of the ‘troubled years’ it was hard not to feel overwhelmed by the importance of the city.

The upbeat and highlight of my day was meeting my internship supervisor and other staff members over lunch. After just about a half an hour I can already tell working at The Junction will be a very rewarding and grand learning experience. (to the right is a picture of the city center area which is were my internship is located) One of the first things I learned was that Maureen, my supervisor, has met the Dali Lama. Now if that doesn’t get one excited about working for someone important than I don’t know what does! I learned that I will be mainly focusing my efforts and abilities to work on a project of quilts. The quilts project (it has a specific name but I can’t remember) will be displayed at different places around the city, including The Junction. I am thrilled to be working on this specific project because it originated in Chile by women who had lost their husbands and children presumably right after Pinochet took power. With its Latin American roots I think it will be very beneficial for my Spanish, knowledge, and passion for Latin America. Who knew that I would go to Northern Ireland and work on a Latin American focused project!

I am very excited for tomorrow (not of course because it is Valentines day…) but because me and a couple other group members are going to go to a pub that plays live folk music! Maybe I will even learn a jig or two!

All for now, I am heading back to my flat to listen to my freshly updated Podcast of Garrison Keillor’s “News from Lake Wobegon.” It’s a nice little taste of home to put me to bed!

Love to all, (a picture of a pub I will have to go to while in Londonderry/Derry only because of the name!)
Sara

What a Weekend!

Hi!

My entire group and I just got back from a very busy 3 day retreat! It was a very fun couple of days and we accomplished a lot, including getting to know one another better.

We left bright and early Monday morning in a 15 passenger van driven by our wonderful program director, Nigel. After about an hour we arrived at the Knocklayd retreat center about half way up the Knocklayd Mountain. We were housed, feed (almost too much), and greatly entertained at the retreat center by a lovely volunteer couple Chris and Maryanne. The center (showed below) is connected to the Corrymeela Community which is devoted to peace and reconciliation. The setting was absolutely breathtaking and we even ventured up quite a big mountain with sheep and an awesome view!! We visited the Corrymeela center and talked with year long volunteers from all over the world about their devotion to peace and social change. It was very inspiring and made me think that that is something I would love to do in the future.

This retreat was also used as a time to choose our internships that we will have for a 7 week period while here. After many people, including alum, advisors, and Nigel himself said it could be a long, somewhat painstaking process, our group of 13 negotiated and decided our internship placement in no more than 50 minutes! Apparantly winning record time. I am thrilled to tell you that I got an internship at The Junction which is located in Londonderry/Derry. A small organization devoted to peace and the peace processes in their community and Northern Ireland. Although it was my second choice option, both my top organizations seemed as though they called my name instantly! I am looking forward to researching more about The Junction and can't wait until my first day.

After 2 nights and 3 days of excellent food, comfortable beds, and warm fires we were unfortunately told that our time was up and we set off on our way!

Our next adventure was this morning to the main tourist spots of the Northern Coast. We got our exercise climbing/walking around Giants' Causeway. (A great picture of the whole group at the causeway) The tale behind Giant's Causeway is that two rival giants one from Scotland and one from Ireland needed to meet. They formed the 'causeway' across the great body of water and the Giant of Scotland decided to venture first. As soon as the Giant from Ireland took a look at the big, bad, mean Scottish Giant he pretended to be a baby to hide from any harm done unto him. The Scottish Giant after realizing that the Irish giant wasn't there he took one look at the very large baby and decided it was best he returned to Scotland for fear of his own well being of the even greater, bigger Irish Giant. In order to insure that the Irish Giant could not make it over to Scotland, he destroyed the causeway as he returned to Scotland. What is left on this coast are many 6 sided rocks placed in very organized shapes. They look so perfectly placed that I am now a true believer in the tale! It was again a breathtaking view and a very fun photo opportunity.

We then stopped at the Bushmill Whiskey distillery. Fun fact: it is the oldest legal whiskey distillery in Ireland. After a tour we used our ticket vouchers to redeem a taste of the whiskey. Mom and Dad, you will be glad to hear that I did not care for it (hence the photo to the right). I opted for a nice glass of water instead!

The last stop was to the Dunluce Castle. A real castle dating back to before 1600 and still in pretty good shape. Again it was an excellent view out onto the water and then on a clear day visible to Scotland.

All in all the last couple of days have been wonderful. I feel as though I have seen some of the greatest, most beautiful parts of Ireland and I know that it is just the beginning. After a long day, and the job of cooking our own dinner tonight, I am off to tackle some necessary errands.

Hope all is grand in the big U.S. of A. Although I could not make the Minnesota Caucuses, I hope you all were there supporting whoever your presidential candidate might be!

Lots of love,
Sara

P.S. We got a great break from the rain today.....perfect sunshine for all of our adventures!

I made it!

Hello Everyone!

After a 4 hour delay at Minneapolis/St. Paul airport and a very short and panicked 5 minute connection in Newark I safetly landed on the ground in Belfast, Northern Ireland on Thursday morning! I am slowly getting over jet-leg and soaking in all the beautiful scenery, kind people, and great conversation one day at a time!

I am living in a very nice student accomodation at the University of Ulster. I am lucky to get my own bedroom AND my own bathroom! Even better than at home! My group of 13 just finished a great dinner prepared by a couple of the talented cooks on the trip and we all crammed into one living room. It has been a great time to eat all together.

The weather here is not by any standard worthy of 'Minnesota Cold,' however, the wind and damp rain make one visicous combination. It even snowed here last night! I guess I brought the snow with me. I think I will survive as we did the mile walk to downtown Coleraine there and back a couple of times without a problem.

We offically start our program on Monday begining with a 3 day retreat on the Northern Coast. I am very excited because I have heard by many...even the native Northern Irelander sitting next to me on the plane that it is one of the most beautiful spots in the world. I already have about 100 pages of reading and tomorrow shall be my first study day in a very long while!

I will write more later after more exciting things happen, however, for now I can only tell you that I think this trip will be something very special!

Love from across the Atlantic,

Sara