As each week in Ireland flies by faster than the previous, week 5 took one more step towards the end of this program. There was a subtle but nice change of pace this week compared to the last few. Although it still went by fast, each day felt long as we were able to do and experience so much in what seemed like such little time. The weekend trip was also a lot more history based as we were in Northern Ireland and it resparked my interest for the importance of the history across all of Ireland.
Although nearly everything that I do here on a weekly basis is a new experience, spending the 4th of July in a different country was not one that I had ever thought about until the day of. At home in California, there are usually days which go into planning what I will be doing on the 4th of July, but here in Ireland it was barely a thought. I knew that Ireland as well as every other country besides the United States doesn’t celebrate the holiday but it was still a very interesting experience not being there to celebrate something which I have experienced my whole life. My boss did let me out of work early though, which allowed me and some of my friends to go out and have our own little celebration even though there were no fireworks.
I always feel like I am getting used to waking up early for the weekend trips until I step foot onto the bus. As soon as I walked on and sat down, a wave of tiredness hit me and I was out for most of the drive to Belfast. Arriving in Belfast, we took a self guided tour of the Titanic Museum which I found to be very interesting yet sad at the same time. The museum covered everything from the development of early Belfast and the start of the shipbuilding industry to the sinking of the Titanic and what followed as a result.
Directly following the museum, we took a black taxi tour around the city of Belfast which I was originally not too interested in until the tour actually started. I had never realised the crazy history which Northern Ireland has and how much of that history has dragged on till this day. Seeing the huge wall which separates the Protestant and Catholic sides of the city was surreal. Learning about how there is still so much conflict and division within the country that gates between the two sides get locked every night even today is crazy to think about. I never knew I would be so interested in the history and conflict until this tour. Later that night we went out in the center of the city to Cathedral Quarter and other parts to experience how the city lights up at night.
Day two in Northern Ireland was easily one of my favorite days on the trip. Starting with a walk across a rope bridge then visiting Giants Causeway where some of the most beautiful things I have seen in my life. The nature was a level of green which I didn’t know was possible as it contrasted with the beautiful ocean, bays, and rock formations. After lunch, we visited a farm where we got a sheepdog demonstration which was interesting and unbelievable to see in person. Directly after, I held two baby lambs which was the highlight of the trip. Overall, this week was one for the books and one of the best on the trip so far.
