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.