Belfast is a city of two viewpoints: Irish and British.
Belfast even feels like a different world from the rest of Ireland. You move from the rolling hills and greenery to a mini-London, complete with a leaning clocktower named after a king and dozens of double-decker buses. Victorian architecture pervades the entire city.
Belfast is where many of issues between the nationalists and loyalists took root. Political murals are all over the city, as are monuments to those who lost their lives in the "troubles." Americans get to see the familiar face of Frederick Douglass on one of the main nationalist walls. The peace wall still exists in Belfast as well. This divided those with the Irish viewpoint from those with the British. It is a fittingly ugly wall that is apparently taller in some places than the Berlin wall was.
On one side of the wall you will see the Irish flag flying, while the other has the Union Jack. Our tourguide was quick to assure us that the "troubles" were long over and it was not about Catholicism or Lutheranism, but about the predujiced treatment in terms of employment and housing. One of the hotels in Belfast has been bombed 42 times because of the "troubles" and WWII.
Belfast was also home to one of my favorite authors, C.S. Lewis. It has a very cool monument to him standing next to a wardrobe. That was one of the highlights of my trip.
Now that I've bored you with a history lesson, this is what I learned: I am completely ignorant when it comes to European history, and it is way more effective to learn it while you are in the cities where such things take place. Second lesson: I am so thankful to live in a country where different viewpoints are for the most part respected, and the chance of being bombed by your neighbor is low.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Thursday, March 11, 2010
The Burren
The Burren is a huge region in West Ireland. "Burren" literally means "rocky place." It does not disappoint. When Cromwell came with his troops into Ireland, all of those who didn't bend the knee were banished to the Burren. Cromwell is reported to have said it was a god-forsaken land where there weren't even enough trees to hang people. Charming character.
The Burren is also where many died from the potato famine, because they were too poor to imigrate. Our tour guide informed us that there was actually enough food in Ireland to feed everyone during the Famine, but the English refused to distribute food into the poverty stricken areas like the Burren, so thousands died.
Although the region does not have the happiest history, it has its own beauty. Walking can be treacherous, and I cannot imagine trying to farm, but during the summer months flowers bloom all over. The area is actually protected by the government so floral shops do not come in and steal all of the flowers.
While farming is difficult, raising cattle is still popular in the region. Being a Wisconsinite, I have seen my fair share of cows, but those on the burren are the shaggiest I have ever seen, and wary of strangers.
The Burren affords one of the most beautiful views of the ocean, and the waves crashing up in the sunlight made a huge rainbow. It was a picturesque trip.
The Burren is also where many died from the potato famine, because they were too poor to imigrate. Our tour guide informed us that there was actually enough food in Ireland to feed everyone during the Famine, but the English refused to distribute food into the poverty stricken areas like the Burren, so thousands died.
Although the region does not have the happiest history, it has its own beauty. Walking can be treacherous, and I cannot imagine trying to farm, but during the summer months flowers bloom all over. The area is actually protected by the government so floral shops do not come in and steal all of the flowers.
While farming is difficult, raising cattle is still popular in the region. Being a Wisconsinite, I have seen my fair share of cows, but those on the burren are the shaggiest I have ever seen, and wary of strangers.
The Burren affords one of the most beautiful views of the ocean, and the waves crashing up in the sunlight made a huge rainbow. It was a picturesque trip.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Irish Sports
Every region has its own sports obsessions, and Ireland is no different. Wisconsin has football. Ireland has soccer (and yes, they actually call it soccer), hurling, and rugby.
I decided to go to one of these rugby matches and see what the fuss was about. Luckily, there were some friendly Irish students in back of me to explain what was going on. Unluckily, by the end of the match they were incoherent due to the presense of a bottle of Huzzar vodka. This will be from the perspective of a novice of the game.
Rugby is very similar to football, with some very noticable exceptions. First: The clock never stops running. There are no such things as time outs. Second: While you can run forwards, you can only toss the ball backwards. Third: Feel free to kick the ball to your opponents in hopes of getting in farther down the field. Fourth: When the ball is thrown in from the sidelines, throw your teammate up like a cheerleader so they can catch it.
Rugby is rough! Normally players run at their opponents knowing they are going to get tackled. After you are tackled, you can pass the ball off to your teammates. No penalty exists for going for someone's face, and jerseys get close to ripped off. When players are injured, the game keeps going. They are just taken to the side of the field with the least amount of players.
To me, it looked like a huge bar brawl. While no liquor is on the field (that I know of), the fans make up for it. The concession stands sell Guinness, Heineken, hot whiskey, Baileys, and tea and chips for those of us who don't want any liquor.
In summary: backward throwing, cheerleading toss, bloody faces, running clock, happy fans.
I decided to go to one of these rugby matches and see what the fuss was about. Luckily, there were some friendly Irish students in back of me to explain what was going on. Unluckily, by the end of the match they were incoherent due to the presense of a bottle of Huzzar vodka. This will be from the perspective of a novice of the game.
Rugby is very similar to football, with some very noticable exceptions. First: The clock never stops running. There are no such things as time outs. Second: While you can run forwards, you can only toss the ball backwards. Third: Feel free to kick the ball to your opponents in hopes of getting in farther down the field. Fourth: When the ball is thrown in from the sidelines, throw your teammate up like a cheerleader so they can catch it.
Rugby is rough! Normally players run at their opponents knowing they are going to get tackled. After you are tackled, you can pass the ball off to your teammates. No penalty exists for going for someone's face, and jerseys get close to ripped off. When players are injured, the game keeps going. They are just taken to the side of the field with the least amount of players.
To me, it looked like a huge bar brawl. While no liquor is on the field (that I know of), the fans make up for it. The concession stands sell Guinness, Heineken, hot whiskey, Baileys, and tea and chips for those of us who don't want any liquor.
In summary: backward throwing, cheerleading toss, bloody faces, running clock, happy fans.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Hanging Around in Cork
My weekend of kissing the Blarney Stone did not actually end at Blarney Castle. From there, 150 of us made our way to Cork.
Cork is a southern city in Ireland, and it seemed to be bigger than Limerick. We got into the city and checked into our hostel. Hostels are a lot nicer than I had suspected, and we were lucky. We got an eight person bedroom- some people had to share with fourteen others. It was the first time I had slept in a bunk bed since I was about twelve. Good times.
We took a walking tour of the city, and our guide was kind enough to fill us in on a lot of the history of the city. The city itself is pretty cool, and it is host to one of the few indoor markets. You can buy fresh chicken, seafood, beef, liquor, and shirts inside. I personally would recommend the chocolate.
There is a park in the middle of the city with an interesting fountain. While we were there, they were hosting an art exhibit with huge angels decorated in a variety of ways. For those of you from Eau Claire, it is similar to the hands scattered around our city.
One of the oddest structures is a building that looks exactly like a city hall building, but for the haloed Mary at the top. When it was built, the Catholics were not allowed to make any towers on their cathedrals, so they embellished it as best they could.
We did some fun window shopping and ate at Supermac's, which is a combination ice cream parlor, Mcdonald's, and Papa Murphy's. No Irish outing is apparently complete without some form of alcohol, so everyone went out to one of the many bars at ten. Most of our roommates called it an early night and I had the privelege of going to a Centra and sharing a pint of Ben and Jerry's. My favorite kind of pint.
Cork is a southern city in Ireland, and it seemed to be bigger than Limerick. We got into the city and checked into our hostel. Hostels are a lot nicer than I had suspected, and we were lucky. We got an eight person bedroom- some people had to share with fourteen others. It was the first time I had slept in a bunk bed since I was about twelve. Good times.
We took a walking tour of the city, and our guide was kind enough to fill us in on a lot of the history of the city. The city itself is pretty cool, and it is host to one of the few indoor markets. You can buy fresh chicken, seafood, beef, liquor, and shirts inside. I personally would recommend the chocolate.
There is a park in the middle of the city with an interesting fountain. While we were there, they were hosting an art exhibit with huge angels decorated in a variety of ways. For those of you from Eau Claire, it is similar to the hands scattered around our city.
One of the oddest structures is a building that looks exactly like a city hall building, but for the haloed Mary at the top. When it was built, the Catholics were not allowed to make any towers on their cathedrals, so they embellished it as best they could.
We did some fun window shopping and ate at Supermac's, which is a combination ice cream parlor, Mcdonald's, and Papa Murphy's. No Irish outing is apparently complete without some form of alcohol, so everyone went out to one of the many bars at ten. Most of our roommates called it an early night and I had the privelege of going to a Centra and sharing a pint of Ben and Jerry's. My favorite kind of pint.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Kissing the Blarney Stone
"If you kiss the Blarney Stone, you'll receive the gift of the gab." I don't know if I have been given such a gift, but it certainly was an amazing experience.
Kissing the Blarney Stone is probably the most sought after experience of tourists to Ireland. (Right up there with visiting the Guinness factory). The International Society set up a trip to Cork and stopped at Blarney Castle on the way there. All 150 of us marched out of the busses and traipsed up to the castle.
The castle itself is very well intact, and full of nooks and crannies. There are signs in every room listing what it was once used for. Most memorable is probably the Murder Room- where defenders would pour hot liquid over any intruders. There are about 100 steps up to the actual stone, and the view from the top is breathtaking.
I had to wait in line to kiss the actual stone, and kissing it is quite the ordeal. A kind old Irishman is there to help you lean back, because between the step and the stone, there is only air. You have to lean back, grab two poles, and reach out to kiss a stone that can't be very sanitary. No glasses are allowed, beacause they will fall.
After kissing the stone, I explored some of the surrounding area and saw the Witch's Stone, the Wishing Steps, and the Fairy Glade. They were all breathtaking, and I'm definitely going back.
Kissing the Blarney Stone is probably the most sought after experience of tourists to Ireland. (Right up there with visiting the Guinness factory). The International Society set up a trip to Cork and stopped at Blarney Castle on the way there. All 150 of us marched out of the busses and traipsed up to the castle.
The castle itself is very well intact, and full of nooks and crannies. There are signs in every room listing what it was once used for. Most memorable is probably the Murder Room- where defenders would pour hot liquid over any intruders. There are about 100 steps up to the actual stone, and the view from the top is breathtaking.
I had to wait in line to kiss the actual stone, and kissing it is quite the ordeal. A kind old Irishman is there to help you lean back, because between the step and the stone, there is only air. You have to lean back, grab two poles, and reach out to kiss a stone that can't be very sanitary. No glasses are allowed, beacause they will fall.
After kissing the stone, I explored some of the surrounding area and saw the Witch's Stone, the Wishing Steps, and the Fairy Glade. They were all breathtaking, and I'm definitely going back.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Staying in Shape
For those of you following my previous blogs, you have been informed of my love of cookies. Alas, cookies come at a price- both in Euros and in pounds. Luckily, there are several ways to burn calories on campus.
There is a gym on campus, and study abroad students get free access. I am a reluctant user of the eliptical and the treadmill, but there are also weights, bikes, rowing machines, yoga balls, stair steppers, and anything else your inner aerobic instructer could desire.
The university also sports an olympic sized pool, the first one built in Ireland.
I joined the outdoor pursuits club, which means I get to climb the rock walls for free. Every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday night, OPC members will help you climb and teach you how to belay. It's a good workout, but be warned, your arms will hurt like they have never hurt before!
You do get some natural exercise even if you don't try. It's about a mile from my village to one of my classroom buildings, and if you are anything like me, you'll be jogging to class because you are running late.
I also decided to take an Irish dance tutorial for my music class. I thought I would go and learn a few Irish steps- It's a bit more intense than I anticipated. Like, I'm wearing shorts and a T-shirt, and a pony tail next class intense. They do a lot of hopping and jumping in Irish dancing!
Between eating all of the cookies and then burning off said cookie calories, my first few weeks haven't been boring.
There is a gym on campus, and study abroad students get free access. I am a reluctant user of the eliptical and the treadmill, but there are also weights, bikes, rowing machines, yoga balls, stair steppers, and anything else your inner aerobic instructer could desire.
The university also sports an olympic sized pool, the first one built in Ireland.
I joined the outdoor pursuits club, which means I get to climb the rock walls for free. Every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday night, OPC members will help you climb and teach you how to belay. It's a good workout, but be warned, your arms will hurt like they have never hurt before!
You do get some natural exercise even if you don't try. It's about a mile from my village to one of my classroom buildings, and if you are anything like me, you'll be jogging to class because you are running late.
I also decided to take an Irish dance tutorial for my music class. I thought I would go and learn a few Irish steps- It's a bit more intense than I anticipated. Like, I'm wearing shorts and a T-shirt, and a pony tail next class intense. They do a lot of hopping and jumping in Irish dancing!
Between eating all of the cookies and then burning off said cookie calories, my first few weeks haven't been boring.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Campus Life
Up until about three weeks ago, I had lived with my parents for my entire life. I knew that some adjustment would be necessary, and that living on my own outside the United States would offer its own source of little quirks-besides just the Euro.
Mother, I just want to take this opportunity to thank you for allowing me the free use of the washer and dryer. Sadly, this is not something offered at the UL (University of Limerick). There is no such thing as a laundromat in the city. (There are lauderettes, which wash your clothes for you-for a significant price). You can shell out five euro to wash and dry your clothing on campus in the tiny, third-of-the-size-of-an-American washer and dryer.
I have discovered the joys of hand washing clothing. On the bright side, the scrubbing burns calories.
Computing on campus is also a little different than in America. Wifi does not exist in my village, so I am once again corded to the wall with an LAN cable. My freedom is gone.
Future study abroad students be warned: THE KEYBOARDS ARE DIFFERENT! So, when you are typing in your new password, don't end up with a backslash instead of a capital letter. It will take you awhile to figure out, if you're anything like me.
The atmosphere on campus is much more relaxed than at home. In all of my classes, I have a project due in week nine or ten, and a final. And that's it. No homework. None. Nada. I review my notes, but that's it. It is freeing.
The Irish students feel the freedom as well. Now, as a Wisconsinite I have some knowledge of the bar scene. While I myself was not really a participator, I know a fair amount of my peers who enjoyed those particular establishments. They have nothing on the Irish students.
Most of the Irish students I have met are avid pub fans, and party Sunday through Thursday (they often go home for the weekend). Normally, a night doesn't pass when I don't here some sort of incoherent singing out my window. Many aren't too concerned with attending classes at this point in the semester, but I have been assured that the pubs empty around finals time.
Another small Irish quirk- the earliest class is at 9:00 am, and this is considered pretty early. It may have to do with the weather patterns. Here, at about 1:00 pm it still feels like 10:00 in the morning. I could still be adjusting to the time here, but I think it is more likely that the cloud cover helps out too.
I myself am enjoying the relaxed culture, and I have learned the delights of sleeping in until 10:00 on a school day.
Mother, I just want to take this opportunity to thank you for allowing me the free use of the washer and dryer. Sadly, this is not something offered at the UL (University of Limerick). There is no such thing as a laundromat in the city. (There are lauderettes, which wash your clothes for you-for a significant price). You can shell out five euro to wash and dry your clothing on campus in the tiny, third-of-the-size-of-an-American washer and dryer.
I have discovered the joys of hand washing clothing. On the bright side, the scrubbing burns calories.
Computing on campus is also a little different than in America. Wifi does not exist in my village, so I am once again corded to the wall with an LAN cable. My freedom is gone.
Future study abroad students be warned: THE KEYBOARDS ARE DIFFERENT! So, when you are typing in your new password, don't end up with a backslash instead of a capital letter. It will take you awhile to figure out, if you're anything like me.
The atmosphere on campus is much more relaxed than at home. In all of my classes, I have a project due in week nine or ten, and a final. And that's it. No homework. None. Nada. I review my notes, but that's it. It is freeing.
The Irish students feel the freedom as well. Now, as a Wisconsinite I have some knowledge of the bar scene. While I myself was not really a participator, I know a fair amount of my peers who enjoyed those particular establishments. They have nothing on the Irish students.
Most of the Irish students I have met are avid pub fans, and party Sunday through Thursday (they often go home for the weekend). Normally, a night doesn't pass when I don't here some sort of incoherent singing out my window. Many aren't too concerned with attending classes at this point in the semester, but I have been assured that the pubs empty around finals time.
Another small Irish quirk- the earliest class is at 9:00 am, and this is considered pretty early. It may have to do with the weather patterns. Here, at about 1:00 pm it still feels like 10:00 in the morning. I could still be adjusting to the time here, but I think it is more likely that the cloud cover helps out too.
I myself am enjoying the relaxed culture, and I have learned the delights of sleeping in until 10:00 on a school day.
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