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| Derry/Londonderry at Night |
We truly felt their warmth later in the day when we received news of the terrible events in the United States. We had just returned to our hostel following the morning session when we saw the TV behind the desk and heard that the World Trade Center had been hit by an aircraft. We
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| Learning how to play the Tin Whistle |
As the day (and the week) progressed, each time we were recognized as Americans - at dinner, on the street, in the bank - people were swift to offer their condolences and offer their kind wishes to us. Jason Blake told the story of a man who, when he discovered Jason was an American student, simply threw his arms around him and hugged him. We felt that if we had to be away from the United States as this happened, it was a comfort to be in a country that understands terrorist attacks. The people of Northern Ireland have lived with terrorism in their midst since 1969, and their sympathy for us was warm and genuine.
The day finished with lessons on the tin whistle; we felt we needed to continue with our schedule to give us some sense of normality. Following that, many waited until 2:00 a.m. to hear President Bush speak on the television before heading to bed.
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| The group outside Guildhall with the mayor |
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| The mayor presents a gift to Anne and Gloria |
Following this, we were permitted to sit in the public hearings concerning the events that took place on January 30, 1972, better known in Derry as Bloody Sunday. On this date, British soldiers killed 13 people during riots, the origins of which remain controversial. The inquiry into what exactly happened that day has continued for the past two years. We heard a man testify to being caught in teargas as he ran through the neighborhood where the rioting was taking place. As several students and Gloria left the inquiry, a Bloody Sunday survivor, still suffering from injuries received almost thirty years ago, came up to them to offer sympathy and understanding. The group was very touched by this, that people who have undergone so much violence still have the capacity to pity and reach out to others.
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| Inside the council chamber |
The afternoon was filled with a class and discussion time with Anne and Gloria, and THEN... time to meet the host families! Having grown tired of hostel life, the students were ready to move into the homes where they would stay until we leave Derry on September 29. The Bogside families met their students and Gloria at the hostel, and Anne rode the bus over with the Waterside students to meet their hosts. All the families were very welcoming and off everyone went to their first night in an Irish home.
Following a break for lunch, we had our second Irish cultural lesson with Clare at the Verbal Arts Centre. We greeted her in Irish, exchanged various "hello, what's your name, goodbye" phrases and counted to ten. When that seemed fairly secure in our minds, we progressed to longer phrases. From there, we were up on our feet learning more dance steps. Those watching enjoyed it nearly as much as those dancing! It was the warmest some in the group have been since coming to Derry.
At the end of a very rambunctious class, we staggered out into a cool, rainy afternoon and enjoyed the rest of the afternoon and evening as free time.
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| Jess being interviewed by a reporter |
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| The crowd at the Guildhall service |
The afternoon was again spent learning Irish and dancing. It looks so light and carefree when you watch it, but it's an excellent form of exercise that had even our strong guys panting for breath at the end of the quick dances. Actually, some of the language makes us feel that way, too! Clare informed us that her seventy-four-year-old father dances regularly and can wipe up the floor with her (or words to that effect!).
The evening was left free for various pursuits; many of us met up at the cinema, seeing several different films. The Fast and the Furious won the vote for best of the evening, while Moulin Rouge was considered hilarious (not the filmmakers' intention, we think) and Planet of the Apes left the viewer wanting a bath and a refund of the ticket price.
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| The Ulster History Park |
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| The round tower in the monastic settlement at the Ulster History Park |
Following lunch in the Park's café, we journeyed on to the Ulster-American Folk Park. There we celebrated the birthdays of Jason Blake and Jason Yoder with song and biscuits (cookies to you Americans...) around a picnic table before entering the museum. The Folk Park tells the story of emigration to North America in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. As we walked through the park, we were able to enter original homes and buildings brought from around Ireland; these included cabins, churches, shops and barns. There was a reconstruction of a "coffin ship", one of the vessels which took hundreds of emigrants to America, through which we walked to "get to the New World". It was interesting to see their creation of pioneer American cabins and farms. Some of us even tasted their cornbread and apple butter... not quite like the kind at the Virginia Relief Sale, but very good!
We arrived back in Derry around tea-time (dinner time) exhausted from the walking but feeling very knowledgeable about the development of Irish civilization over the last 10,000 years. Not bad for a Saturday!
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| Worship at Grianán of Aileach |
This last place was by far the most impressive yet, said some of the group. We went to Malin Head, the northernmost point of Ireland. Malin Head is a cape that juts out into the
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| The Irish Coast at Malin Head |
We returned to Derry, many of us asleep on the return trip, exhausted and invigorated by a day spent in the beautiful Irish countryside. A free evening enabled us to do assignments, visit with host families and SLEEP!
At noon, those who were feeling spórtúil (that's Gaelic for sportive) played each other in soccer. Drew Roynon even played with some Magee students in a second match... go, Drew!
In the afternoon, Anne and Gloria had class with the students. We reviewed the history covered over the weekend and discussed current Irish social issues. This ended a very full day, and having the free evening hours to unwind was greatly appreciated.
