Hello England

Hello England!
For better and for worse I have left Ireland for the remainder of this trip. I am currently sitting in Pattington station in London, England! YES!!!
This morning we flew out of Dublin International Airport and by this evening I will be staying at a YMCA in Bath, England!
To tell you a bit about recent days…yesterday was our last day in Dublin, and I had a bit of a bad cold so yesterday was officially dubbed “The Day of Nothing!” For the first time since arriving in Europe I slept in and read a book. We were told that England would be pretty exhausting, and I wanted to be healthy and rested for the last half of our trip. I did end up making the trek across Dublin during the last part of the day and visited St. Patrick’s Cathedral. It was beautiful, and a wonderful ending to my time in Ireland.
The day before yesterday was officially the “Tourist” day where I hopped from historical landmark to museum and back again. The best part of the day was the Dublin National Museum! It had incredible artifacts from all over the world. I even saw a mummified cat, bones from ancient Irish graves and a Denaris (which was a coin that was around when Jesus was…Really cool, I know).
This morning was ridiculous! To start off…I had to make an emergency run to the grocery store about a half hour before my group was supposed to leave for the airport (Hey sometimes there are no options). On my way out, I slipped on the stairs (someone should really recommend that Ireland adopt a few “wet floor” signs). I am fine, minus a purple stripe across my backside. I made it to the store, spend my last three euros and got back to the hostel in time to leave with my group. `

A Bit of Irish Living (and sometimes a bit too much!)

Wow, it has been a few days since I have gotten the chance to post anything here…
Not every Hostel has internet, and I must admit that I have chosen sleep over blogging...we stay pretty busy around here!
Ok…so last time that you heard from me, I was in Galway. I did not actually tell you much about it though. You should know that Galway is probably my favorite Irish city. It looks nothing like anything else that I have ever seen before. The streets are very narrow, cobble stone and filled with adorable little shops that are housed in buildings that have been standing since the United States of America was a twinkle in the eye of some fed up citizens. Those streets are also filled with musicians and artisans who make a living by performing in the streets with a hat on the ground so that the passing shoppers have the opportunity to drop a Euro or two. I really loved Gallway, I hope to go back some day.
From Gallway, we traveled to Dublin (that is where I am now). In the midst of the eight hour bus ride, I had some incredible Irish experiences. First, we stopped along the seaside and cliff sides frequently. Ireland’s cliffs really, truly have the ability to make a person feel small. I feel so blessed to see the things that I have seen on this trip.

This is part of my group on the clifs!

Next, we stopped at an irish restaurant on the way. I decided to be a bit adventurous and try a “Traditional Irish Breakfast” for lunch (really I was just craving eggs). The food was good (a bit fattier than home and for some bizarre reason baked beans are considered a breakfast food here). The mean also contained something called “White Pudding” it really tasted pretty good. I had no clue of what it was, but it tasted like sausage and I was up for some adventure. Well, after I finished , I asked our tour guide, Matt, what I had just eaten. He laughed (never a good sign) and said “I wouldn’t have told you before you had eaten it” (oh crap). He then informed me that White pudding is actually blood pudding. It is made from all of the “leftover” parts of a pig and chicken. This means blood and grizzle. They are boiled together until they form a solid. I am not really a wimp when it comes to food…but I really did consider throwing up at that moment. I still cringe a bit when I think about it…yuck! Who thought that was a good idea?
Now, I am in Dubin, which is the biggest city that I have ever been in (ok…it is comparable to Chicago). It has been a bit intimidating, but really neat. Today, we visited Trinity college which included the most amazing library that I have ever seen…like three hundred years old and huge. Think library from Beauty and the Beast…change out the light colors for heavily carved stained wood, add a few books and there you go. This library also contains “The Book of Kells” this is an illustrated copy of the gospels from the eight century. This thing blew my mind. It contained some of the most intricate design work known anywhere. What really amazed by about this thing was the fact that it was probably created by fifteen year old monks who used this bible as their creative outlet. They lived in a world of depravation and routine. Out of that, they created one of the most colorful and dynamic pieces of art in existence.
I couldn’t take any pictures at Trinity because there were big NO CAMERA signs everywhere. I took the hint, and bought a poster 

Today also brought some interesting interpersonal interaction… The day began with me barely dragging myself out of bed and to the hostel lobby for breakfast (messy hair, puffy eyes…you get the picture). Upon my finding a cup of coffee, Danielle and I were seated in the midst of a deaf traveling group of high schoolers from England (not kidding). As soon as they figured out that we were Americans they began asking question and making comments about our culture. This was amazing! It was a very cool moment! The ones that could speak translated for the ones that could not, and we learned so much about the English prospective on American life…here it is: “Why would anyone leave America to visit the UK, it is so much better in America” wow!

And to end the day, Danielle and I were trapped in an elevator with half of the Swedish World cup team! True Story: we were waiting by the elevator and a tall, cute guy with a football jersey stated talking to us (in hostels people just talk…pretty normal). When the doors open we step in and out of nowhere four of our cute soccer man’s buddies load into the elevator too. All of them were drunk and all of them were huge. HUGE!!! That elevator was packed, and I was convinced that I was about to die… elevator with big drunk guys is on the top of the “no” list in the tour books…woops! Somewhere in the midst of the two floors we traveled, were informed that they would be beating us in the world cup…yes, we met a drunken version of the Swedish World Cup team!!!

Galway

At this moment I am in the lovely town (ok city) of Galway.
I am not kidding you...this city and this hostle are truly designed like a maze.
Let’s start with the city…ok, so first, the roads are literally about ten feed wide and full of people. On each side of these roads, there are probably lots of pubs which have seating outside. So when you walk down these mazelike streets you have to walk around people who are eating there dinner. This can be complicated during business hours…which means evening because pub are just like that. Add the fact that every street changes names every single block with the fact that the roads wind and have random cobble stones sticking out…and there you have the streets of Gallway…I really do love it though!
Secondly, this city is the first that we have entered that is a part of the Republic of Ireland (yes, and new country today folks! ) This means that we are now using euros…I just figured out pounds anis d now am back to a brand new currency to figure out. The the Indian man who was running the Irish Mexican restaurant (yes you read that right) would not stop laughing at me. By tomorrow I might understand it!
Also…this hostle is one of the cleanest and best staffed that we have used…but I literally have to go through 13 doors to get to my room (which is in the back of a short, narrow hall filled with slightly drunken men from assorted countries). I get a kick out of hostles. There are always interesting people and vastly different sound effects. The night before last, our hostle was on top of a pub, which meant that I fell asleep listening to loud people and music.
Speaking of hostels…here area few mini-hostel experiences for your enjoyment.
First hostel: we had a neighbor who thought that wearing pants was overrated. TMI for certain!
First hostel: our shower looked like a gas chamber….yikes…it was truly frightening!
First hostel: was asked about which bars were best by a student from france…I told him that KFC was good 
Second: We only had two keys to each room…therefore all of us were locked out at some point.
Third: there were dirty dishes in our room when we got there.
Fourth: this was the one with the crazy drunks outside
Fifth: the manager had a Farmville obsession
Sixth: here! We were just asked where one can find a good party…nmmm!
This is so great! I really do love the whole experience…it is just going by too fast!

Right now, I am listening to bagpipes out my window and am contemplating going to bed soon. The difficult aspect of cross cultural is the fact that there is ALWAYS something to do. So, taking time to rest is necessary, but nearly impossible to justify. I have found that I enjoy the things that I do far more if I try to not do too much.

Free Darry

May 23rd 2010
The meaning of freedom.
Last summer in YouthWorks, I spent the entire summer trying to understand and to teach the concept of freedom. Every week I would talk about the power of God and of the beauty of his liberation. For the entire summer, I really focused on it. By the end of it, I hoped that I had begun to understand the concept.
Today, I think that I understand the concept better than I ever have before.
The city of Darry is a bit obsessed with the idea of freedom. Over the past fifty years (and a lot more) the city has been torn apart by the fight for freedom. Streets have been soaked in the blood of protestors, buildings have been bombed by terrorists, homes have frequently searched by the police, and even today IRA graffiti covers many of the cities walls. Here, along with the rest of Northern Ireland, always rests the question of whether or not the country is free.
Today, I visited Cornerstone City Church in Darry. The goal of the church is to unite a broken and divided city. It felt so familiar, so welcoming. For the first time since arriving in Ireland I felt at home. What really got me though is the fact that the first song sung at the church was “”Holdiong Nothing Back” (Yes they like Hillsong here too!) The song declares that the singer has been set free by God. It states “Nothing is going to hold me back.” Because the singer is free, nothing has to hold him back.
In a city that has been torn apart by lack of freedom and the search for it, this song mean s everything. This beautiful community of people understand that God is the only source for true freedom. For them to sing that song, means a lot.
I really want to come back here someday. I love this church, it blows my mind that people on the other side of the world know and love the same God that I do. It blows my mind that I will get to spend eternity of these people.
Friends at home, I can’t wait to introduce you!
P.S. There will be accents in heaven, I am convinced.

May 22 Darry

Hello People,
Today I am in the city of Darry (this is pronounced like "dairy" but there is not a cow to be seen)

This city is one of my favorite places that we have visited so far. It is very charming and parts of it are incredibly old. It also has several beautiful cathedrals. The city itseld has been around since the thirteen hundreds, and the origanal city is surrounded by the only remaining wall in Irealand.
It was amazing to walk around somehting that has been standing for hundreds of years.


I also got to experinece some genuine Irish cuisine...it was really "quite good (insert cute Irish accent here)"



This is Irish stew. For lunch we went to a non-tourist restaurant and asked for their special. This is what we got. I was a bit skeptical at first, but it really was ok...yes, I even ate the lamb meat in it. Poor sheep!

Fortunately, the drinks are basically the same (yes that coke bottle is gold, do not ask my why... it tastes the same though)



Ok...there is much more to say, but I have to go to listen to Irish music...I will tell you more soon!

May 21 Port Stuart

Today was Beautiful!
It was filled with mostly sightseeing of beautiful Irish countryside (yes, they do have a lot of sheep here!), and driving. We ended the day with a tour of Giant's Causeway. It was one of the most incredible things that I have ever seen! I will post some pictures here, but nothing that I can put here will really give any of it justtice!

This is what most of us looked like on the bus today! It was so pretty that all of us desprately tried to take pictures through the windows...I eventually surrendered and just looked around. Taking pictures is not too sweet through windows because this happens :)

I also saw a thirteenth century castle today. It really was really something. What amazes me is the fact that really old architecture is not increibly rare here. It is a huge contrast with the States where most things are only a few hundred years old. I love the fact that this culture is genuinely old. Also, as you can see in this picture, it really truely gets foggy here! I have never seen fog like this before!

What you can't see in this one is the fact that I am litterally standing on a cliff to take it. This picture also fails to capture the incredible view over the ocean from standing thousands of feet above it. I felt so small. You should also know that the small land mass in the corner is Scotland!

I did mention that sheep are pretty common here, right. What amazes me is the fact that these things graze on sheet mountain sides.



The clifs are completely amazing! Words can't really describe. There are also so many flowers that I have never seen before. A million kinds of plants grow here because of the humidity. That includes palm trees...not kidding!


Ok Giant's Causeway is somethng that you really have to see to believe! There are basically naturally formed Octagon shaped rocks that naturally fit together like bricks. It looks a bit like this...it really is incredible!

In the end, one of my favorite apects of this trip are the subtle differences in language...like this on!

yes, I think that it is hysterical, maybe I am not too mature!

Other things that you should know...fashion in Irland is basically the same as at home plus the fact that pink hair is really very in! I every room has at least one pink head!

Right now I am relaxing in a cozy little hostle next to the ocean. I am still recovering from jet lag, and am taking a quiet eventing. I love everything about the experience!

May 20

May 20th

Bellfast, Ireland
Hello again,
I am finding it hard to believe that it is only the end of my first real day in this culture. In less than 24 hours, things that seemed completely foreign have become fairly understandable. I no longer have any difficulty understanding the currency and the accents I have basically mastered, aside from the occasions where I am dealing with a two accents stacked upon one another. Hey, you try interpreting a native French speaker with both French and Irish accents!
It has been an amazing day. I think that I love everything about this trip!
Let me tell you a bit about Bellfast!
First…it is absolutely beautiful!
Is a unique kind of pretty that I have never really seen before because everything is surrounded by giant green hills. They look a bit like fuzzy mountains, and are unlike anything that I have ever seen in the USA.



Second…the entire city is completely divided between protestant and catholic differences. It is separated to the degree that the different groups actually have their own Football (Soccer) teams. The groups are also divided by many other beliefs and differences; one of the more prominent issues is the question of whether Northern Ireland should remain with Great Brittan. People are passionately on both sides of this issue. It is fascinating to see how the city has been shaped by this difference. I am still trying to understand this.


Third…there is a unique kind of artistic culture that surrounds everything here. Because the people of this city feel so strongly about specific issues, their feelings incorporate themselves into everything. All of the building sides are covered with a mix of graffiti and art. I believe that I could walk around for hours simply starting at these buildings.



Fourth…cathedrals blow my mind!



Fifth…Iraland is filled with American pop culture. I have yet to walk into a building that did not have American music playing it. Not kidding, I have heard everything from Elton John to Randy Travis today. You should also know that Ireland loves Hannah Montana...I really do not know how to react to that.
Sixth…castles are pretty cool! I did not actually get to go in, but I saw my first privately owned castle today, the lawn was really neat.
Seventh…If you ever go to Europe, be sure to bring electronics that you are not too fond of. The girls in my room have overheated and killed two strengtheners today. Apparently power converters are not fool proof!
Eighth…Bellfast has an opera house from the late eighteen hundreds. It is really, truly beautiful. It happened to work out for us to go there tonight and see “Romeo and Juliet” performed by the Scottish Ballet. It was amazing. I was shocked by the dancers’ ability to tell a story without a single word.

Ninth…Both C.S. Lewis and the Titanic started off here. I have no cool pictures for this, but I did drive by the house where Lewis was born today. That is pretty cool!
Tenth...Ireland has a whole slew of foods that I am seriously going to miss when I get home. Last night, I was introduced to a mint Aero Bar. This is basically mint chocolate that melts in your mouth. I cannot tell you how amazing that is. On the topic of food, Ireland has more of a coffee habit than I do. There are at least three coffee shops on every street, and even subway has an espresso machine.

Day Two: Hethro

Entry 2
May 19th 2010
Here, I am the oddball!
Having spent a few short hours in Hethro, I can safely say that I have never felt so topsy-turvey in my life. All of the rules are just a bit different here. A lot of the things that I completely take for granted are entirely different here, and that makes me completely aware of every action that I take. It is very disconcerting, and I am certain that I stick out like a sour thumb.
First blunder of the day:
Writing “Caucasian” on my border crossing card. Apparently, I am “American” and the term “Caucasian” is offensive here. The kind border patrol woman informed me of this within five minutes of my arrival in the country. My first interaction with a native was a good scolding…woops, I guess that I am just “American” from now on!
Other Issues that are giving me trouble:
I cannot always understand these people...in movies, British accents are always cute and easy to interpret. In reality, they are very fast and often full of expressions that make no sense to the untrained ear. Yes, they are speaking English, but I had to have one poor clerk repeat his phrase three times before I understood that he was asking me if I wanted my coffee in a paper cup…woops again.
Fashion: woops, I look like the European “What Not to Wear.” Neutral colors are in, big wooden bracelets are out…I fail.
Money: Kill me now and get it over with! I have no idea of how much I am spending on anything! I need to study this one! Is one pound a good price for a bottle of water? I really do not know!
Despite all of this, and despite the fact that I have not slept or changed my clothing in more than a day, I have never been more excited in my life. We flew over Buckingham Palace a few minutes ago and I nearly wet my pants…seriously! I really am in Europe. I may have set metal detectors off with my earrings, but I really am here…and that is pretty cool!


This is a logo used all over the Hethro Airport-it makes me think of a moose man!

Travels

Entry 1
May 18th 2010
This has certainly been a day of firsts…and the firsts have only begun to show themselves.
For starters…
• This is the first international flight that I have ever boarded (This is also the first time that I have ever used a computer on an airplane too)
• I ate my first airplane food (an experience that I could have lived without…it makes the DC look pretty good, but you cannot really expect gourmet when you are thousands of feet in the air)
• I got onto an airplane without panicking for the first time. Until today planes have been something that made me marginally more comfortable than giving blood (Something that I have never been calm enough to do) but today, it was easy. This just shows that exposure is the best cure for fear.
• I also packed my suitcase in the back of a moving vehicle for the first time today…not kidding. Let me explain…this morning when I left home, everything was fine. My 22 inch suitcase was carefully packed for my three week expedition. My family was going to drive me to the airport, and I was going to fly to Europe without any problems. Life did not go as expected. First, it rained today, so my family decided to bring our puppy, Mollie, with them so that she would not be stuck out in the rain for the day. Second, due to the large quantity of puppy hair on my clothing, I decided to dig my lint roller out of my carefully packed suitcase. Third, the zipper on my suitcase decided that my need for a lint roller presented with a perfect opportunity to break! Fourth: I do not have enough time to get home for a new suitcase and to get to the airport on time. Fourth: New plan became the purchase of a new suitcase STAT! Fifth: Meijer in Ann Arbor has no luggage (What the heck?!) Sixth: Wallmart in Ann-Arbor Selene does. Seventh: I choose the only suitcase that will work for the trip and of course there is only one left and it does not have a tag, resulting in my stealing the tag from the display and begging a poor clerk to ring the thing up for me. Seventh: I find myself moving everything that I own from one suitcase to the other in the back of my mom’s CRV as it rolls down the highway. Eighth: Mollie, the same stupid puppy, decides that she absolutely belongs in my suitcase.

All of this to say, I found myself feeling car sick in the back of a moving CRV with a puppy trying to sleep in my suitcase.

Despite all of the of the good, bad and ridiculous firsts, this has been a very good first day of my trip. Right now I am somewhere above Canada and the movie “It’s Complicated” is playing on a small screen in front of me. In a few (like three) hours, I will be landing in London (a fact that still blows my mind) and then will be hopping over to Dublin for the first day of this adventure.
I don’t think that the reality of where I am and where I am going has really sunk in yet…I will let you know when it does. For now, I am desperately going to try to catch some sleep…which is not likely considering the fact that is only 8:30 at home and somewhere around midnight here.


I will post this as soon as I find some internet.