Well I haven't been on here in a while and I apologize but A.) We have had so much to do and B.) We don't have the Internet at our house..... ( and C.) I've been too lazy :D). But, since I've blogged last, a lot has happened. So I think it's best that I just start from the beginning.
In my last blog, I talked about our visit to Derry, which would be our home for the next semester. After visiting Derry on Thursday, we had an adventure planned for us for the next day. On Friday, we went to Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge.... and theres no beating-around-the-bush..... it is exactly as it's named. With an 80 foot drop below into the icy North Atlantic Sea, and wind gusts coming from ALL sides, the creaky rope bridge connects the main land with a smaller island. Looking at the bridge from a distance, it really doesn't look as bad as described but it's a different story once you're actually on it. I did, however, brave the bridge and mastered my fear of falling and left with no regrets. The island on the other side offered wonderful views that we wouldn't have seen without crossing. (I am having problems uploading pictures but I will do that as soon as I can).
After the rope bridge, Mervyn explained that we had enough time to check out a castle down the road (as far as the crow flies). The castle, which I am not recalling the name at this time, was in ruins after the North Wall and more than half of the kitchen fell into the sea below, taking some of the servants with it. I wish we would have had more time to explore, but what we got to sea was breathtaking enough. It got me thinking that nothing in the states is as old as the ruins that we were standing in... and of course, that would get any one's imagination going.
Later that night, we gathered some people and had a campfire on the cliff. We played the best round of screaming ninjas that I have ever witnessed in my entire life ;)
The next day was bittersweet as we said our goodbyes to our friends Sean and Owen and headed off to what was soon to be our new home.
Once arriving to Derry, our host families were there to welcome us. Roisin helped Amanda and I into her car and we separated from our group for the first time. She introduced us to our new house and our new dog Sparky :) and we found that it wouldn't take too long to find ourselves at home. That very same night, we got to meet her mother and father at a birthday party/ pub/ concert. Because of who her father is, I am not worried in the least bit about our safety here in Derry...... (if you want more info, let me know ;) lol).
The next day we ventured around Derry and familiarized ourselves with the easiest, and least Hilly, routes. We found some shopping centers that I reallllly wish we wouldn't have found.... cheap, cute clothes can really add up. And we discovered a few cafes that were worth returning to.
The next day started our first day of classes. The 3 hours went bye surprisingly fast for our first class so we decided to head out to Derry again for lunch, where we made another discovery...... an even worse discovery.... Strongbow. Later that night, we headed out to the famous Peadar O'Donnels. That was a fun night in itself.
Our days have been the same. Our routine typically consists of class, and then seeing what everyone else is doing. If theres nothing planned, we head home and watch Soaps with our host mom!
*Please keep us in your prayers. While there is no reason to fear our safety, there have been scares within in the past two weeks because of a dissident group that does not like the way things are headed. Security is heightened but as I mentioned earlier, because of who we are with, I am confident that our safety is not an issue.
***For additional pictures check out facebook! I give you permission to creep on my fellow Northern Irelanders pages!
Miss you and love you all!
Megan
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