I am here, in Northern Ireland not simply for the chance to travel abroad but to learn about this culture, to appreciate their struggles with prejudice and violence. We are now and a pretty peaceful place though every day is a tentative struggle. There are still a lot of unanswered questions from the Troubles thirty years ago and many families are still bitter over losing their loved ones "dishonorably". I mean that they did not get an honorable funeral for what they felt was the right fight. Mervyn, our director was speaking to us during our orientation the other day about the struggle we will have in learning about their past and the difficulty they and we will have in identifying the victim. Who is a victim here? There are two sides fighting, each for something they believe is right and the right way to live. So who is at fault? You may ask why they can't live in harmony but their situation is more muddled and confused than our own issues of race.
Well sorry for that deep discussion but I really have been pondering those questions on our drives. Speaking of....here are some pictures!
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| Beginning of Giant's Causeway |
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| Megan, Ashley, Sean (Corrymeela volunteer), and myself sitting on the 'Giant's wishing chair' |
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| Unique rock formation comprising the Giant's Causeway |
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| My favorite view/time here at Corrymeela. |
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| At Corrmeela looking West toward the US. The closest town there on the right side is Ballycastle |
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| This is Derry. I will be living on this side of town. This is taken from the walls of Derry. Please also note the murals on the sides of the buildings. |
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| This is another beautiful coastline of Northern Ireland. This is the starting point for the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. |
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| The group going over the rope bridge! There is about an 80 ft. drop below us. “from the Scottish Gaelic Carraig-a-Rade, means the rock in the road. The road is the sea route for Atlantic salmon on their westward journey past Carrick Island.” There is also Sheep Island in the near distance. |
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| This is Dunluce Castle. Long story short, “The castle as we se it today dates largely from the 16th and 17th centuries, but part of it may have been built in the 14th Century. The MacDonnells mainly controlled this castle. In 1639, during a grand dinner, the Duchess who hated the sea, and living near it, had fate work in her favor when part of the lower kitchen courtyard fell into the sea during dinner. A few kitchen hands were lost during this incident and the family moved houses.“ |
Well I hoped you enjoyed the pictures I know I have certainly enjoyed the last few days. I will also be posting a picture of the group photo/meeting with the mayor of Derry. We were very lucky to meet him Thursday when we got to spend our first day in our new home. We spend the day touring the city walls, which are one of two still standing complete city walls in the UK, and getting a better feel for the city we will soon call home. Actually very soon! We move in with our host families tomorrow evening! We have been going through much more orientation these past few days as well as sight seeing around the beautiful coast.
I have walked on that same bridge. I hope that some of the rope has been replaced since 1991! :)
ReplyDeleteAmanda, how beautiful the country there is. I was wondering, when you can/have time see what kind of quilting,crafts, etc. that is done there. I saw Keith (Don) was asking about the bike trails. LOL, he can just make his own. Looks like he'd have some good plane flying places though.
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