B'fast

On Wednesday we went on our field trip to Belfast. In the morning people met with their supervisors, got coffee, etc. Then we met an republican (an IRA man) to give us a tour of the nationalist/Catholic neighborhoods. He showed us murals and told us a little about himself. While we were with him he took us to the cemetary where the hungerstrikers are buried. There is a special section for those who died serving the IRA during the troubles. This is a mural of Bobby Sands the first hungerstriker to die.
While in the nationalist neighborhood/The Falls, we also went to the Irish Republican History Museum. There were many artifacts from the troubles and even before. It is soley run but donations and volunteers. We also ate lunch with the republicans and were able to ask them questions.

After lunch with the republicans, we met up with an ex Loyalist. He shared a little about his past, that he was in prison, how long, etc. He showed us the murals in unionist neighborhoods/ the Shankill Road.

The last place he took us to was a memorial for the Battle of the Somme. It was a battle during WWI where 770 or so Ulstermen from Belfast went to fight for the British and only 70 some men came back. The Unionists want the British to never forget that they served them and lost man along the way. Overall the trip to Belfast was good. It was very interesting to get both persepectives, unionist & nationalist, even if they were more towads the extremes of loyalist and republican.

Thursday we debriefed/reflected about Belfast and prepared for our internships. In the afternoon we went to Nigel's for lunch. All of us got to meet his adorable family. Everyone enjoyed seeing and interacting with children because it is something we are currently lacking. After lunch and spending time with Nigel's family, he took us to a beach near his home. It was kind of chilly, but many of us took our shoes off & ran in the water. Some of us raced along the beach, took jumping pictures, and other ridiculousness that young people do. It was fun and my feet were frozen by the time we left. Thursday included packing and cleaning, as well as going out in Portrush once more before leaving.

Friday was moving day, so the Belfast crew left at 8am and we left at 2. We arrived in Derry at our flats and the keys didn't work. We thought we needed a locksmith, but it turned out it was just new and sticky. Most of us unpacked and went and got food.

Yesterday we wandered around the city exploring. We walked along the city's walls, through the city center, and to the grocery store. I found a Catholic Church, so I went to mass this morning. It was nice except it was a big cathedral and seemed somewhat impersonal.

I start my internship tomorrow morning at the Junction. I'm excited about it but also a little nervous. That's about it for now. Oh, also a few of us planned our spring break, we're headed to Scotland!