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