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!