Today was all driving. Peter took me down to Belfast to meet up with my team. He showed me where the Titanic was built and where they're building a memorial because next year will be 100 years since it sank. Then he showed me the Europa, the most bombed hotel in the world. After that, he showed me where the riots took place a couple of weeks ago and the bank where the biggest robbery in history took place. £26 million and they never caught the people who did it.
Peter also showed me the theatre where Liam Neeson got his start and told me that Liam's sister was one of his teachers in primary school. Apparently she was very mean haha. He also showed me Queen's University (where he and Joanne studied) and the statue of C.S. Lewis going into the wardrobe...that was really cool.
Then we met up with Chris and eventually the rest of the my team and Peter went back up north and I went down to Cork. The other people on the team were telling me how long of a journey it was for them...it was 6 hours long (including stops and wrong turns) Which to me is just going back to Wake Forest. But today I travelled the length of Ireland and I was only in the car for 8.5ish hours. I feel so accomplished =)
A Journey to Northern Ireland
Sunday 11 September 2011
Tuesday 6 September 2011
Day 2 - 8 July 2011
So I slept 12 hours last night. It was incredible. And I felt so good when I woke up.
Then we went on a picnic (on which I learned they call ladybugs ladybirds here). After lunch, we went down to Dunluce Castle and explored around a bit. It was in shambles, but still really cool to see. When we finished with the castle, we went to the Giant's Causeway. The story goes that there was a giant named Fin McCool and he built a causeway over to Scotland to fight the Giant who had been shouting abuse at him. But when Fin got over there, he saw that the Scotch giant was much bigger than himself, so he ran back to Northern Ireland. He didn't know what to do because he knew the Scot wasn't far behind, so his wife dressed him up as a baby so that when the giant from Scotland got there he thought, If that's how big the baby is, I don't want to see the father. So he ran back to Scotland, destroying the Causeway as he ran.
The Causeway is built out of hexagonal rocks that look man-made, but are actually naturally formed. It is quite a sight to see. After the Causeway, we drove back into town and ate at this place (Ramore) that apparently you always have to queue for at least and hour. Thankfully, Joanne called ahead because there were 15 of us. So I met some of the Lawther's friends and they were very pleasant. Then we went to an ice cream shop called Morelli's that had been around for 100 years and it was really good. After ice cream, we went down to the play park again and let all the kiddos play for a while. Tomorrow I head down to Cork for my BYE team
Then we went on a picnic (on which I learned they call ladybugs ladybirds here). After lunch, we went down to Dunluce Castle and explored around a bit. It was in shambles, but still really cool to see. When we finished with the castle, we went to the Giant's Causeway. The story goes that there was a giant named Fin McCool and he built a causeway over to Scotland to fight the Giant who had been shouting abuse at him. But when Fin got over there, he saw that the Scotch giant was much bigger than himself, so he ran back to Northern Ireland. He didn't know what to do because he knew the Scot wasn't far behind, so his wife dressed him up as a baby so that when the giant from Scotland got there he thought, If that's how big the baby is, I don't want to see the father. So he ran back to Scotland, destroying the Causeway as he ran.
The Causeway is built out of hexagonal rocks that look man-made, but are actually naturally formed. It is quite a sight to see. After the Causeway, we drove back into town and ate at this place (Ramore) that apparently you always have to queue for at least and hour. Thankfully, Joanne called ahead because there were 15 of us. So I met some of the Lawther's friends and they were very pleasant. Then we went to an ice cream shop called Morelli's that had been around for 100 years and it was really good. After ice cream, we went down to the play park again and let all the kiddos play for a while. Tomorrow I head down to Cork for my BYE team
Wednesday 17 August 2011
Day 1 - 7 July 2011
So it really was 2 days of travelling but really only 12 hours of flying.
Let it begin! I was supposed to leave Knoxville at 2pm yesterday then there was a 2 hour delay so we didn't take off until 4pm. Thankfully I had a 5 hour layover in Newark so it didn't affect my connecting flight. Once I got to Newark I had 3 hours to eat and then get on my plane.
Over my 2 flights I got quite a bit of reading done. I read 16 out of 22 chapters of "Out of the Silent Planet" by C.S. Lewis. I plan on finishing it on my trip down to Cork on Saturday. Also, I only got 30 minutes of sleep because I don't sleep well on planes. Example: Again, when I was over Greenland we hit turbulence (Happened on the flight from LAX 2 years ago). I swear, that place has it out for me haha.
When I landed and got to the border and they almost didn't let me in. They asked why I was coming to the UK, I told them to visit friends and the guy said, "Really? That's it?" I wasn't going to lie to a direct question, but how did he know to ask that? So I said I was VOLUNTEERING with Baptist Youth...he mistook it for working (for which you need a Visa) I was so scared...thankfully Peter was there and he was able to explain to them what was going on and they let me in the UK and writing 6 months on my passport (while informing me that according to the letter of the law they should send me back to America which only freaked me out more). I KNOW it's because people were praying for me and I was very grateful.
So, Peter drove me up to the North Coast where He, Joanne and the girls were on holiday. We all went out for lunch and the play park. Then we went back to the house and that's when I discovered that somehow my keys to my luggage lock was mysteriously missing from my carry-on. Thankfully, I had bobby pins in the outside pocket of my suitcase so I sat hunched over my lock and got to work. 5 minutes and 2 very bent bobby pins later, I had picked the lock and had effectively broken into my luggage! (I should be a spy) Later, Peter took me to buy a UK SIM card for my spare phone and we picked up pizza back for dinner. Good stuff. Now I'm going to bed.
Let it begin! I was supposed to leave Knoxville at 2pm yesterday then there was a 2 hour delay so we didn't take off until 4pm. Thankfully I had a 5 hour layover in Newark so it didn't affect my connecting flight. Once I got to Newark I had 3 hours to eat and then get on my plane.
Over my 2 flights I got quite a bit of reading done. I read 16 out of 22 chapters of "Out of the Silent Planet" by C.S. Lewis. I plan on finishing it on my trip down to Cork on Saturday. Also, I only got 30 minutes of sleep because I don't sleep well on planes. Example: Again, when I was over Greenland we hit turbulence (Happened on the flight from LAX 2 years ago). I swear, that place has it out for me haha.
When I landed and got to the border and they almost didn't let me in. They asked why I was coming to the UK, I told them to visit friends and the guy said, "Really? That's it?" I wasn't going to lie to a direct question, but how did he know to ask that? So I said I was VOLUNTEERING with Baptist Youth...he mistook it for working (for which you need a Visa) I was so scared...thankfully Peter was there and he was able to explain to them what was going on and they let me in the UK and writing 6 months on my passport (while informing me that according to the letter of the law they should send me back to America which only freaked me out more). I KNOW it's because people were praying for me and I was very grateful.
So, Peter drove me up to the North Coast where He, Joanne and the girls were on holiday. We all went out for lunch and the play park. Then we went back to the house and that's when I discovered that somehow my keys to my luggage lock was mysteriously missing from my carry-on. Thankfully, I had bobby pins in the outside pocket of my suitcase so I sat hunched over my lock and got to work. 5 minutes and 2 very bent bobby pins later, I had picked the lock and had effectively broken into my luggage! (I should be a spy) Later, Peter took me to buy a UK SIM card for my spare phone and we picked up pizza back for dinner. Good stuff. Now I'm going to bed.
Sunday 31 July 2011
Time's up
Sorry I haven't posted since I've been in Ireland, Part of that is because I haven't had internet, and the other part is, even if I did, I'm not sure I would have time. But I'm coming home tomorrow and I will start posting day by day what went on. I've absolutely loved it here and I'm don't know how I feel about leaving. But here goes nothing. my last 8 hours in Northern Ireland start now.
Wednesday 6 July 2011
Up, up and away!
Ok so today was the day. I got to the Knoxville airport in PLENTY of time to check in and chill before I needed to board. Up until we board the plane, our flight was supposed to be on time. Then as soon as we boarded, the captain came over the PA and told us that there was a ground stop in Newark (meaning all flights that were there stayed there and no more incoming flights were admitted). So after 2 delays, they "un-boarded" us and they said that they would let us know when we could fly out. 2.5 hours after the original departure time, we took of. A bunch of people missed their connecting flights, thankfully I had a 5.5 hour layover and got here with 3 hours to eat, find my gate and just chill. I got pizza and now have an hour to kill before my flight to Belfast departs. As of right now, I will be arriving there in 7 hours! :-) I'm thinking after I post this, I'm going to walk around for a bit...or read...I'm leaning more towards reading because I don't want to buy anything here...then again, I am going to be sitting for 6.5 hours...whatever. I'll just take it all in stride :)
Off we go!
I leave for the airport in 5 short hours. It's so unreal...anyway, I found the links to track my flights and if you're interested, here are the links. Hopefully I can update in Newark or soon after I land in Belfast.
Knoxville to Newark - leaving K-town at 2:08pm:
http://www.panynj.gov/airports/flight-status.html?view=FLIGHTTRACKER&qtype=ByFlight&apt=EWR&fn=0094&al=CO&depdate=20110706
Newark to Belfast - Leaving EWR at 9:25pm:
http://www.panynj.gov/airports/flight-status.html?view=FLIGHTTRACKER&qtype=ByFlight&apt=EWR&fn=0094&al=CO&depdate=20110706
Knoxville to Newark - leaving K-town at 2:08pm:
http://www.panynj.gov/airports/flight-status.html?view=FLIGHTTRACKER&qtype=ByFlight&apt=EWR&fn=0094&al=CO&depdate=20110706
Newark to Belfast - Leaving EWR at 9:25pm:
http://www.panynj.gov/airports/flight-status.html?view=FLIGHTTRACKER&qtype=ByFlight&apt=EWR&fn=0094&al=CO&depdate=20110706
Friday 24 June 2011
What IS In A Name?
I couldn't even think of what to name this post...it doesn't really have a unique purpose I guess, other than to update the status on Ireland. I have my British Pounds and my Euros and I and just trying to figure out how much money/snacks I'll need for the flights. 11 more days. 11...long...days...I know I said that I would appreciate these last days because the more I rush this time, the faster Ireland is going to fly by...but it's really hard and when this world puts you through some tough times and you just want to give up, it's SUPER hard. I just want to wake up and it to be next Wednesday. But no, I have far too much to do and enjoy in these 11 days for that to happen. I will wake up and it will be tomorrow. The same trials will be there, but I will have slept and I will do my devotion before ANYTHING ELSE tomorrow and I will have the strength of God on my side to face them, which is what I've had all along, I just need to reach out and let Him hold me up. So when other people cause you headaches and make your life miserable, remember that God is there to life you up when you are weak and hold you even when you think you can stand on your own...because you will never be able to.
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