Although I've witnessed very little violence while being in Northern Ireland, it's still difficult to ignore the reality of where we are. Northern Ireland's violence and contested history is painted on walls, depicted in monuments and simply talked about wherever we go.
Between these overt reminders and the lectures we participate in, it's hard to ignore the brutal facts of Northern Ireland. Despite the 15 hours spent in pre-departure sessions, exposure to books, films, interviews and constant reminders of what we were all getting ourselves into, I think in the back of everyone's mind the word "vacation" was planted.
The initial appeal of the program rested in the fact that we were traveling with 20 other students to another country. None of us knew what to expect as far as the work and daily activities were concerned. I don't want to sound completely ignorant. I knew we'd be busy. I knew it'd be entirely different than life in Lewisburg, but going into our third and final week of the program I can safely cross out that word "vacation" because this word is completely inappropriate.
Besides the few days spent wandering the mountains, islands and trails of Northern Ireland, I've been stressed, sleep deprived and not even close to eating a nutritionally balanced meal. And for some awful reason whenever I get stressed I develop canker sores. Anyone who knows me knows this and how much I complain when I have one. But I think the most useful fact that I will take away from this trip, is the cure to these god-awful canker sores (okay maybe not THE most useful fact...) Typically canker sores take about 10 days to heal, which make those 10 days pretty unbearable. But somehow, good old Jameson informed me that placing a wet teabag on the canker sore solves the problem. Even though Jameson is known for playing pranks, I was so excited about the possibility of a cure to these stress induced sores that I held a teabag on my mouth for a couple of hours. And the next day, it started healing, this was definitely not a prank.
Anyway, I hope I'm not making this trip sound awful because it is not at all. In fact it has been the most rewarding and enriching experience of my life so far. How could it not be? But there have been moments throughout this trip that briefly make me wish I was back in my safe bubble. Life is much easier and much simpler when curiosity doesn't get the best of me. Ignorance truly is bliss, and when I'm overwhelmed by these heart-wrenching stories I want to curl up and cover my ears. The issues affecting not only Northern Ireland but everywhere in the world are daunting.
At times, instead of feeling empowered and informed, I feel even more sheltered and helpless than before I began this trip. I know it sounds like I'm complaining, but I'm really not. I can't imagine one student on this trip hasn't experienced similar feelings.
Wow, I did not mean to get so serious, but I'm on the bus ride home from an extremely effective panel discussion in Belfast, hence all the sentimental reflections on my life. So last Saturday was spent in Dublin and it was absolutely fantastic.
It was a four-hour bus ride and when we arrived we were given lunch and some free time. Free time is very rare on this trip, so serious thought is put in to how to spend this time. Naturally, it was spent shopping. Because the euro is better than the pound, I decided to get most of my shopping done here. I'd write what I got, but I'm afraid my family will read it and it'll ruin the surprise! Walking down the busy streets I felt completely disconnected from Northern Ireland. It was just so different that the atmosphere of Derry.
The street performers were extremely entertaining and if you've never seen them before they are people who pose as statues and when anyone walks by or begin taking pictures they start moving, dancing, singing, etc. We were given a two-hour walking tour of Dublin by yet another very enthusiastic tour guide which started at Trinity College.
We all know that Bucknell has a beautiful campus and impressive buildings, but I'm not gonna lie...
Sunday was our second and last "recovery day" as they call it and it was much appreciated.
Today our lectures and activities actually ended before five, and even though we have a two-hour bus ride home, it's still a nice break. The new Sex and the City movie is out in theaters here, so a group of us are going out to dinner and then to watch this film.
Lacking any televisions in our flats and having limited Internet access, we decided to treat ourselves. The rest of the week consists of two more field placements at the Nerve Center, another trip to Belfast, and an excursion to Giants Causeway. I'll be posting one more blog before I depart from Northern Ireland, so stay tuned!
