Derry?!

Yesterday was an interesting day. We journeyed to Derry which will be our home for the next semester! Our first stop in the walled city was a stop to meet the Mayor of Derry. He explained to us some of the things he does and I was shocked to find that he was only 27 years old. After meeting the mayor, we took a walking tour on top of the walls of Derry. It was really interesting to see all the places that we learned about last semester. Our tour guide Tony made it even more interesting with the stories he provided to go along with the tour.

Once taking care of some house-keeping at the University of Ulster, we headed back to Corrymeela for a night of some fun. We had a real taste of Ireland when we went with two of the locals who are volunteering here at Corrymeela down to the Pub. I had my first PINT of Guiness. It actually wasn't that bad! Then I tried Magner's which is like an apple cider which was nasty. We also tried a pear flavored drink which ended up being pretty good as well. ** EVERYTHING WAS UNDER CONTROL! lol

The Giant's Causeway

Well yesterday was an interesting one... We went to what some people consider the 8th Wonder of the World called the Giant's Causeway. The Causeway was formed, scientifically, by a volcanoe that erupted and then hardened. But the story, which I will not do it justice, but the Giant from Scotland wanted to fight with the Giant from Ireland. The Giant from Scotland built the causeway all the way over to Ireland where the Irish Giant had devised a plan. He decided to dress himself in a diaper and sit in the lap of his wife to make it seem that if a baby was as big as a full grown giant, then his father must be even bigger.. For the rest of the story, you'll have to get it yourself :)

After returning to Corrymeela, we had team bulding games with Sean and Ruth. We had to make a pair of skies move without falling off, move a ball around a maze without it falling in the holes, and jump around stumps without falling off. After these, we played, or attempted to play, a very interesting game of volleyball which turned into talking about sex with sheep..... IDK either :)

After the game, I went around outside and saw the most beautiful sunset yet!

Welcome to N Ireland day 3

Day 1 Part 2

We've only been here a day and it seems like we've been here for at least 3. But that's not in a bad way! After lunch, we walked into Ballycastle with a few of the Summer-Staffers here at Corrymeela.... It was really fun listening to their accents lol. It is a whole different world here.. No one is afraid to talk to you and make you feel welcome... But the sights and smells are a whole different story. It's so natural, and fresh, and wild here and the land does what it is supposed to do.

On the way back from town, we stopped by a water fountain where some children were playing...... It's not freezing here, but it is when you're soaked. We laughed at them playing in the water like it was their job. After, we stopped down at the beach and walked in the ocean. There are seven different currents from different places that run into it and it makes the water super dangerous to swim in... not to mention it really is freezing cold. It did feel good on my feet tho :)

I can't believe this has all happened already and it's only the first day! I love all the people in our group and I think we are going to have a great semester together.

I'm hittin the sack early tonight... :) 48 hours and 4 hours of sleep don't mix. So don't try it ;)

Until next time!

Arrival!

Well..... it's the first day... and I think it's safe to say that we're all a little loopy. Being 5 hours ahead, instead of arriving in Northern Ireland at 2;30 am US time, we gto here at 9am their time.............. So none of us are really in our right minds. But that is ok because this place is amazing. We are spending our first week in Correymeela and the housing we're staying in is right on a cliff overlooking the ocean... for those of you who know me, I will probably have a billion pics by the end of this week :)

We went exploring before lunch to stay awake, had some interesting looking ham, and then decided to update you folks at home before going out exploring again. So much has already happened and I feel like I'm missing something butttttt I guess its because im running on 4 hours of sleep within the last 48 hours..

Im running out of things to say, but I love you all and will keep you updated as much as I can!!!

And So It Has Oficially Begun!

WE had a sending service earlier today at Bluffton to get us on our way to NI! On the way, Rudy K lost his shoe somewhere in the airport parking lot and our flight may be delayed! But thats ok... We should get there, if all goes well, around 3 or 4 am our time! Wish us luck!

PACKING.

How am I EVER going to fit all I need for an entire semester into one suitcase?! I need a miracle!!!!!!!

Already?!

Less than a week to go before I had off on what I hope to be an amazing experience!