N. Ireland 2012

We went to Derry/ Londonderry yesterday for a day field trip. Derry is a much bigger city then Portrush is which was nice to see. The weather in Derry was very weird it rained a little then the sun would come out and this kept repeating all day long it got kind of annoying because we were taking a walking tour of a battle site. We had to take a bus to Derry which was about an hour ride then we had to take a coffee break of course which are always nice to have. The tour that we took was at the Battle of Bogside which is where many people were innocently killed. N. Ireland is deeply divided between Catholic and Protestants. Bogside proves this with a large rock/stone and electric looking fence that keeps the other religion out of their area. The man who gave our tour actually witnessed this battle, he was only 10 years old at the time and could see the whole battle from his bed room. He gave an excellent tour for something that is so hard to talk about. The day was filled with many emotions of hearing about the battle. I think the hardest part of the day for me was seeing the tour guide tear up while talking about the battle. This was hard for me because he was a grown man who probably gives multiple tours a day/week and still tears up talking about the battle. For those of you who do not know about this battle it happened 40 years ago this year in August. It is commonly referred to as "Bloody Sunday". He walked us around Free Derry a little to see different murals that people have painted for there struggles and frustrations. We also toured the Bloody Sunday museum where another tour guide took us and we toured a little more outside. His brother was killed in the battle buy a British solider, he showed the exact spot where he was killed, which was very powerful.

On a lighter note we go to a club called Kelly's EVERY Wednesday night which we have to take a cab to. Last week we walked, which was a huge mistake because it was about a 30 min walk in the rain. Us girls like to blame Jackson for this one, although we didn't exactly want to pay for a cab either. Well last night we had to walk to a pub to call a cab because none of us knew a cab number. This club is HUGE there are 4 dance rooms and multiple bars!! We usually try to stay in groups so we don't get lost. Last night one of our group members lost their coat and keys there so we have to go back tonight to see if anyone turned them in. Also I have noticed that the Irish LOVE Americans and will recognize you every time after you introduce yourself. They can't say Ari very well which is funny so they call me the American girl which is kind of a big generalization. We also go to the pub down the street a few times a week there so we are on a first name basis which is pretty funny.