Hello!!! I have returned and want to sincerely apologize for the delay in this post. It has been a truly crazy week - 2 trips to Belfast, the start of classes, honestly, it was more than I was ready for!
First -- classes are alright, I have now been to a few lessons and seminars and I like them. They are different here though because the seminar groups are simply small groups of the class, and as far as I can tell, serve no other purpose than to reiterate the lessons of the lecture! Oh well, I already feel like I am over participating in them which I suppose is now just ingrained in my nature when I attend school, no matter what country I am living in. I feel like one of those kids you hate though because they ask too many questions and volunteer too much -- going to cut back next week!
Belfast and Eamon -
On Wednesday the 31st I went to Belfast for the 1st time and met Eamon there. For anyone who does not know Eamon, he studied at WVU last year and has since become a very close friend, more of my Ireland encyclopedia and big brother in one. It was an awesome day -- we toured city hall and I learned all about Ireland's tumultuous political past. I spent the evening with his family, including a wonderful home cooked meal which truly made me realize what a terrible cook I am! That night, we went out and partied at the Student Union for a bit and then Eamon took me to a gay bar! I had a lot of fun dancing, laughing, meeting his childhood friends, and having a good time; hopefully he did too. Then I got to sleep in his bed, he was on the couch don't worry, which was THE GREATEST BED EVER, at least compared to the box I sleep on! I returned the next day in time for class too; I'm saving all of my skips for when I get visitors!!
This past weekend, my friends and I all took a trip to Belfast again! We decided we would leave on Sat. and stay in a hostel overnight to maximize our time there. We stayed in the Linen House Hostel which for £6.50, approx. $12, was a good deal with bedding and a quiet atmosphere. We spent the day in the city, eating lunch at the Garrick -- the bar/restaurant Eamon works in, and then taking a Black Taxi Tour of West Belfast to see the murals. It was wonderfully interesting and I got some fantastic pictures; unfortunately, my camera still does not seem to want to load onto my computer, so hopefully this evening I can use someone else's and get some pictures up soon.
Belfast is a city with a fascinating history about a political division about who should rule Northern Ireland. For many, it became split along religious lines and turned into a Catholic vs. Protestant war. For now, things have slowed and people generally get along, but the effects of the division are still able to be seen all over West Belfast. Eamon's mom showed me where her childhood home used to be but was burned to the ground by a petrol bomb when she was 10. There is also what is called the peace line that splits the Catholic and Protestant neighborhoods of West Belfast. This has 4 gates that join the Falls (Cath) and Shankill (Prot) roads. These are locked at dusk and during the weekends. When I asked if anyone thought this wall could come down, I was told no one particularly wanted it to come down because they all felt safer with it up. I was amazed at the destruction and division within the city.
On a lighter note, all of my friends wanted to go home early on Sunday, so I called my only friend in Belfast, Eamon of course, and decided to spend the evening hanging out with his family again. I got a personal tour of Belfast from his mom, like I mentioned earlier, another fabulous dinner (a chicken potpie meal), real football and rugby (man. u and Ireland both won!), and some really great conversation, although I barely understand half of what they are saying. Honestly, they probably think I'm dumb just because I can't track what on earth they are talking about most of the time!
So, all is well here in Northern Ireland. We got our first bit of snowfall on Tuesday -- Agnes and Besty and I went outside and played, then went back to bed! We are expecting quite a bit more as well, which is somewhat of a surprise to me because someone told me it never snows here. Either way, it in no way compares to the horrible weather you have been experiencing at home and I am so sorry for you. Although, I do believe Hay and Holly you didn't have school much this week so I doubt you are too unhappy! I hope everyone is doing well and I love to see your comments on my blog. I will try and update this more frequently because I want you to check it and feel like you are getting something out of it when you do!
Love you all, Megan
First -- classes are alright, I have now been to a few lessons and seminars and I like them. They are different here though because the seminar groups are simply small groups of the class, and as far as I can tell, serve no other purpose than to reiterate the lessons of the lecture! Oh well, I already feel like I am over participating in them which I suppose is now just ingrained in my nature when I attend school, no matter what country I am living in. I feel like one of those kids you hate though because they ask too many questions and volunteer too much -- going to cut back next week!
Belfast and Eamon -
On Wednesday the 31st I went to Belfast for the 1st time and met Eamon there. For anyone who does not know Eamon, he studied at WVU last year and has since become a very close friend, more of my Ireland encyclopedia and big brother in one. It was an awesome day -- we toured city hall and I learned all about Ireland's tumultuous political past. I spent the evening with his family, including a wonderful home cooked meal which truly made me realize what a terrible cook I am! That night, we went out and partied at the Student Union for a bit and then Eamon took me to a gay bar! I had a lot of fun dancing, laughing, meeting his childhood friends, and having a good time; hopefully he did too. Then I got to sleep in his bed, he was on the couch don't worry, which was THE GREATEST BED EVER, at least compared to the box I sleep on! I returned the next day in time for class too; I'm saving all of my skips for when I get visitors!!
This past weekend, my friends and I all took a trip to Belfast again! We decided we would leave on Sat. and stay in a hostel overnight to maximize our time there. We stayed in the Linen House Hostel which for £6.50, approx. $12, was a good deal with bedding and a quiet atmosphere. We spent the day in the city, eating lunch at the Garrick -- the bar/restaurant Eamon works in, and then taking a Black Taxi Tour of West Belfast to see the murals. It was wonderfully interesting and I got some fantastic pictures; unfortunately, my camera still does not seem to want to load onto my computer, so hopefully this evening I can use someone else's and get some pictures up soon.
Belfast is a city with a fascinating history about a political division about who should rule Northern Ireland. For many, it became split along religious lines and turned into a Catholic vs. Protestant war. For now, things have slowed and people generally get along, but the effects of the division are still able to be seen all over West Belfast. Eamon's mom showed me where her childhood home used to be but was burned to the ground by a petrol bomb when she was 10. There is also what is called the peace line that splits the Catholic and Protestant neighborhoods of West Belfast. This has 4 gates that join the Falls (Cath) and Shankill (Prot) roads. These are locked at dusk and during the weekends. When I asked if anyone thought this wall could come down, I was told no one particularly wanted it to come down because they all felt safer with it up. I was amazed at the destruction and division within the city.
On a lighter note, all of my friends wanted to go home early on Sunday, so I called my only friend in Belfast, Eamon of course, and decided to spend the evening hanging out with his family again. I got a personal tour of Belfast from his mom, like I mentioned earlier, another fabulous dinner (a chicken potpie meal), real football and rugby (man. u and Ireland both won!), and some really great conversation, although I barely understand half of what they are saying. Honestly, they probably think I'm dumb just because I can't track what on earth they are talking about most of the time!
So, all is well here in Northern Ireland. We got our first bit of snowfall on Tuesday -- Agnes and Besty and I went outside and played, then went back to bed! We are expecting quite a bit more as well, which is somewhat of a surprise to me because someone told me it never snows here. Either way, it in no way compares to the horrible weather you have been experiencing at home and I am so sorry for you. Although, I do believe Hay and Holly you didn't have school much this week so I doubt you are too unhappy! I hope everyone is doing well and I love to see your comments on my blog. I will try and update this more frequently because I want you to check it and feel like you are getting something out of it when you do!
Love you all, Megan
Some pictures of Eamon and me in Belfast!
Eamon at lunch!
Andy, Eamon's best childhood friend, and his friend for the evening! 
Eamon and me at the Queen's University Student Union
Eamon and me at the gay bar
Eamon having fun at the gay bar!
Cormick drinking his first Guinness!
YUM! Dinner at the McCrory house! Eamon - take some good pictures of your family for the blog next time!
6 comments:
ok... just to clear one thing up... after the students union bar, megan wanted to party on (i wanted to go home to bed), and i knew the head doorman of the gay bar. He lets us into the bar as it was serving after hours. So just for all you lovely ladies out there, im not of the homosexual nature! but on a more serious note megan i had a great time when you were down... and i know theres many more great times ahead...i.e. when mr T comes to town (I pitty the fool...I aint gettin on no aeroplane sucker!!!) lol
Megan-
We are really looking forward to our gay pub tour of Ireland!
Uncle Tom and Aunt Shirley
gay bar eh? interesting. I think i'll skip that one when i come over, unless eamon has some "friends" he wants to meet up with, hahaha. anyway, eamon, it'll be sweet when i get there, we'll have some good times. megan, keep the blogs coming, i expect to hear plenty about Scotland when u get back.
Thanks for the update, Megan! Seems you're staying even busier than you are when you're at home - who'd have thought that would be possible?
Eamon -- just to be sure about one thing, you got hit on in the bar that you took me to. Don't you try and play this off like its my fault steven wanted you! Yes, that's right, Steven wanted Eamon's number to take him home. So regardless of where you stand with your sexuality, others are clearly getting a mixed vibe! Had a great time though - thanks!
I think I have to add to this conversation on the gay bar. Tyler said that Steven approached Megan to dance and when she said no....he asked if she was "with" Eamon. When she said they were just friends, Steven said he wasn't interested in Megan, only in Eamon. It sounds like the vibes were pretty clear to me!! I might be your mother but I do teach in a college! Mom
Post a Comment