Belfast Went By Too Fast

Hi, everyone! I’m mad at myself that I got off track with this blog. Forgive me for my past few weeks off. I really wanted to finish chronicling my Irish journeys while I was still actually in Ireland, but that unfortunately didn’t happen. Even though I’m back in America now, I’m going to see this blog through! So, without further ado, here is what I was up to for my last two weeks abroad:

On the second to last Thursday before I departed, our program leader Aoife put together one last event for us. We got to see “The Artistocrats” at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin! She had connections and was able to get us seats right at the front of the auditorium. It was a really fun way to end our experience with FIE, and I’m grateful to have had a final hurrah to hang out with everyone. Also, another program from New York had just gotten into town, so they were there also! It was kind of cool getting to chat with them, as they were brand new to the city and we were on our way out. It was crazy for me to think about how far I’d come in only two short months.

Anyway, the play was really good. I enjoyed getting to watch the local actors and actresses and hear their gorgeous Irish accents! Thanks again, Aoife, for organizing a great night out on the town! :)

The following Friday (The Fourth of July, actually!) I hopped on a train to Belfast in Northern Ireland. I was headed to see some extended family (I talked about them in my blog in early June) for the weekend. What was especially cool about this weekend venture was that my tour was being guided by the local people. Laurence and Elaine really knew their way around and it was so amazing to stay with them, eat with them, see their favorite places and just chat. I felt like I got the most true experience possible since I was able to get a real feel for their everyday lives.

The train ride from Dublin to Belfast was only about two hours—not bad!—and I didn’t even have to show my passport. I brought it expecting I’d have to use it because I was technically entering a different country. That wasn’t the case though, and I arrived in Northern Ireland without much hassle!

I got there around noon, and Laurence and Elaine were busy with appointments and such until about 2pm. Since I had a few hours to kill, Laurence pointed me in the direction of a farmer’s market called Saint George’s Market. I moseyed on in, happy to be out of the rain and also perfectly content to lose myself in all of the little vendors for a few hours. After all, my motto is: there's only one thing better than a farmers market…an indoor farmers market! It makes sense, too, what with all of the rain there! Anyway, the market was lovely and I easily wasted the time I needed to. The day’s spoils were a cupcake, two necklaces, a bracelet, a cup of tea, and some flowers. I also got lunch at a stand that was self-titled “The best burger joint in Belfast.” I’d have to agree.

Oh, and I must brag…I’m perfecting my haggling skills! With a little skill I was able to barter 9 pounds off my jewelry. Are you guys proud or what?

I found myself wishing I had a market like this near home because everything looked so fresh. The meat was red and marbled, the fruit right off the tree. All of it that I could see was locally sourced and I really appreciated that! Come to think of it, there’s just nothing I don’t appreciate about Farmer’s Markets.

When 2 o’clock rolled around, I found Laurence and Elaine easily enough. I was so happy to see them, and proud of myself for getting to the right place without any trouble. Laurence helped me bring my luggage to the car and off we went! It was still early, and they had a full day planned for us. No time for being tired! :)

First, they took me to City Hall. It was so elegant! The whole thing was just over the top posh and gorgeous. From the architecture to the furniture, I was amazed in every room! I even got to try on some of the garb. ;)

After City Hall, Laurence and Elaine showed me around the city center of Belfast. We went in a few shops (Primark, yay!) and then found our way to Avoca for dinner. Avoca is this really cute shop that sells lots of touristy gifts, but also has a restaurant/cafe upstairs. We got a light dinner of some salad and lasagna, then set off to fulfill our evening’s agenda: The Titanic Exhibit.

Titanic was amazing. Before I studied abroad, I didn’t even know that the Titanic was built and founded in Belfast. It amazed me that I was standing right near where that infamous ship once was. The exhibit itself was very technological and informative. I liked how all of the different displays used modern technology to get the facts across. For example, in one room, you walk in and all of the walls around you become a movie screen. You are shown around the Titanic and it feels like you are really there and seeing the ship for yourself because of peripheral vision. Also, it was very neat to see inside the ship.

Something I feel I should admit is that I have never truly grasped how much of a tragedy the sinking was. The only thing I’d ever really thought about in regards to The Titanic is the movie and the (fictional!) love story between Rose and Jack. It made me focus on all the wrong things. Luckily, that extraordinary exhibition set me straight. For the first time, I thought about how many people lost their lives—1,503—and how they are done an injustice with the movie focusing less on the travesty as a whole. It’s so sad to think about all the families that were torn apart, all the children that didn’t get to live out long lives, all the employees that died while simply doing their jobs and all the pain and suffering in general. It’s such a terrible shame. I was glad to kind of see the bigger picture and to honor those poor people.

After Titanic, we decided to stop in a pub before going home. It was the Fourth of July, after all, and I needed to at least have one drink for America! :) The pub was called The Dirty Duck and it was adorable! First of all, the view was amazing, sitting right on the water. Also, in celebration of the USA, there were American flags everywhere. It almost felt like home! We sat down, ordered some drinks and some bar food, and had a great hour or two just chatting and listening to live music. Although I was the tiniest bit bummed about missing the fourth in America, I wouldn’t have traded that day or night for the world. It was great company, and a memory I’ll have forever.

I was the only one who thought this was weird! A hard boiled egg with your beer? Yuck!

We hit the ground running on Saturday, waking up early, showering and all sitting down for a nice homemade breakfast. Elaine prepared some delicious, traditional Irish food—tomatoes, mushrooms, potato bread, bacon, and a poached egg! I so enjoyed having a hot meal, as I rarely had time to make myself breakfast before work in Dublin. Plus, Elaine is a good cook and she really spoiled me all weekend. :)

After getting ready, we left the house and set off for a day of outdoor adventures. First, we journeyed to Dunluce Castle, which has been standing since the 1500s. It was pretty amazing to see how much of the structure was still intact—it’s true that things just aren’t built with such integrity nowadays. The Castle sits right on the water and the views were amazing. Also, neat little handheld devices allowed us to tune in at different spots throughout the property to listen to some background information about the rooms and their purposes. It was a really enjoyable way to begin the day!

Next up was Giant’s Causeway. It’s a popular tourist destination that was essentially created from a volcano. However, it got the nickname Giant’s Causeway because legend says that the rock formations were actually created by giants. No matter how they got there, they sure were beautiful! The honeycomb structure was unreal, and everyone climbs all over just to get a picture with it. For the journey, Elaine packed cute little snacks of waters, bananas, and Twix for us. With a gentle breeze, some sunshine and amazing company, we got to walk to the very edge of the Causeway and back. Just like most of this summer, the day was all about nature and exploring its features. As corny as it sounds, the two months in Ireland were really refreshing in general because I didn’t always have my phone with me. It forced me to really sit back and enjoy what was in front of me. Also, most of the famous tourist destinations were outdoors in remote locations, so it was overall just great for the soul. :)

Laurence posing on the honeycomb formations!

Elaine and I at the Causeway!

Our last venture on Saturday was to the famous Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge. It’s honestly just this rickety old bridge, but everyone visits it to say they’ve walked across! It’s funny how mankind is always in constant pursuit of adventure and excitement. I will say though that it’s a gorgeous, hidden sight. I can totally see the appeal of wanting to travel to this little bridge and take on the small danger and the fun of getting to cross to the island. Overall, I’d say that it was worth it. It definitely sends a chill up your spine! See for yourself in the pictures below. Would you do it?

To finish off the night, Elaine and Laurence took me to eat at The Harbour Bar and Bistro. If I had to describe it in one word, it would be: amazing. Hands down, it was the best meal I had all summer! Laurence even told me that people travel from all over Northern Ireland just to eat there. It was a really interesting system—after waiting for an hour on average, your name is called, you walk in the main restaurant and order your food at the bar, pay, and have a seat. Then, within about twenty minutes the food is on your table. It’s definitely an unusual practice, paying before you even eat, but they do it for efficiency. The place is so busy that it probably couldn’t function any other way! One thing that I instantly liked about the atmosphere/culture of the bar was a sign hanging on their wall: “No wifi. Talk to your friends.” It definitely had personality. I would go back to The Harbor Bar in a heartbeat!

Also, Laurence taught me a funny saying they have in their family: “Stretch or starve” meaning help yourself when the food comes out or you won’t get any. I LOVE it. I’ll be keeping that phrase. ;)

After dinner, we journeyed the two hours home and enjoyed a cup of tea while watching some TV. I laughed to myself that Elaine watches more American shows than I do, although we did have Once Upon a Time in common! Interestingly, I was a season or two ahead of her because they delay shows abroad. Anyway, within only a few minutes of watching Modern Family, she got me hooked! It’s hilarious and I can’t wait to continue watching it here in the U.S.

Sunday morning we all slept in and took our time getting ready. Truthfully, we were worn out from the long day we had had on Saturday. After eating something small for fuel, we left to go hike to Scrabo Tower nearby Laurence and Elaine’s house. It was quite a walk uphill, but I was proud when we finally made it to the top. You could see for miles both land and water. There’s nothing like the fresh air paired with a view like that. And of course, the tower itself was neat. The history was rich and again I was astounded by the architecture. These structures hold up so well for so long!

After the hike!

After we got home from our hike, Elaine made us a breakfast of pancakes and fruit. We all ate together, reminiscing about how fun of a weekend it had been. We had almost the entire day on Sunday to still be together, but I could feel myself already missing them and Belfast! Time passes too quickly.

We spent Sunday visiting one of Laurence and Elaine’s friends, travelling across a harbor using a ferry (my first time on a ferry boat!), doing some shopping, and going out to eat once more. It was a great last day. That weekend is close to my heart and ranks high on my list of favorite memories.

Sadly, 6 o’clock rolled around and it came time to catch my train back to Dublin. Elaine and Laurence dropped me off at the train station, and a wall of grief washed over me as I found my platform. I didn’t want to leave Belfast, and even further, I didn’t want to leave Ireland! What a fun summer it had been. All of the people that helped me along the way really shaped what an awesome experience I had. I’ve only been home for one week and I already can’t wait to go back!

Anyway, I found my train right away that evening, and took the seat that was assigned to me. After I sat down, though, I heard this weird noise from a few rows in front of me. It turned out to be a man with an electric razor shaving his beard! In public. Right there on the train. How weird! Am I right? That’s not normal! He didn’t even care about the hair that was getting everywhere…he just shaved away.

I happened to catch the eyesight of a boy my age sitting near me and we both made a WTF gesture to each other and started laughing. Oh, the things you see.

In sum, my journey to Northern Ireland was more than enjoyable. I learned and saw so much, and I really got to know Laurence and Elaine. The whole thing was such great fun and I wish I had it to do over! Can’t wait for my return trip! :)

Thanks for sticking with me guys! I plan to do one last post—so stayed tuned!

Xox,

Alyssa