Today was pretty low key. We listened to another lecture on Celtic Christianity this morning, then had lunch and heard a really awesome lecture on the political aspect of the conflict - it was really fascinating. I took approximately 170,000 pages of notes. After that we went on a walking tour around Belfast and that was really interesting. We saw a lot of the murals they have around the city in support of one side of the conflict or the other - those were pretty sad.
We also saw the "Peace Lines" dividing Belfast. Basically a peace line is just a wall dividing the Protestant sections from the Catholic sections so they can't through bombs and attack each other without getting over or around the wall. There are a few roads where you can go through from one section to the other, but even those have massive gates that close off the roads for when things get tense. The wall just left me heartbroken that there is so much mistrust and hate and violence that a wall like this is necessary.
Catholic side
Gate
Protestant side
Now we're back at the hostel after our walk, we've had dinner and now we're just hanging out for the night. Everyone's in their pajamas and some people are downstairs playing a guitar and singing (well, they are youth ministry majors!).
That will probably be it for today. Like I said, we didn't do a whole lot.
Love,
Amanda
P.S. Dad - at the Italian restaurant last night I had spaghetti carbonara. It was pretty good, but yours is way better - we're going to have to have that for dinner after I get back! Love that stuff.
Sounds like even though it wasn't too eventful it was a memorable day:)
ReplyDeleteGlad you got to Belfast safely!
P.S. I reeealllly enjoy your blog posts:)
Good job at being so constant!!
Even old passions run deep. You're right - the wall to separate the people is a sad commentary on the condition of the hearts of the residents. Terrible things have been done on both sides. I remember asking my mom what the big problem was - she told me that it had nothing to do with God or people's view of God and everything to do with hatred and enjoying hatred. Very tragic that they choose to live like that.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, I do make a good Spaghetti Carbonara, excellent hot chocolate, and I'll even buy some ice cream when you get home. Have fun connecting with the people!
*Especially* old passions run deep; they've had the longest time to eat into the soul. Religion, economics, and habits of thought have all had their hand in where Northern Ireland is at now. It's good to know that however slowly (and unfortunately with tragic backsliding, true) things are beginning to look better. I remember hearing about Francie (our uncle, your great-Uncle, married to Auntie Lal) being put on the prison hulks in the harbor as a boy, as he was suspected of being in the IRA (old 20s IRA)-he was, but only a messenger boy. Likewise, it was some young toughs who either wanted to join the (new 60s) IRA, or just young tough guys out to raise Hell, who terrorized his family and shot off his arm. It does seem both sides were not as lily-white as they do be liking to claim.
ReplyDeleteThat's enough family history for the moment.
Try banoffee pie. You may like it. And keep the Guinness at hand to ward off cold.
Love you, and find a good spot for me to be deported to, eh?
Kyle
MY SISTERRRRRRR!!!!!!!!! is it bad that i almost started crying when you started talking about grandma? so... i kinda miss you a little... lol i hope you are having a ton of fun! love you...
ReplyDelete