Belfast, Northern Ireland-New friends & beautiful surroundings

By -




Oct. 15-20

This week I went to Belfast. As much as I like training, it was nice to get away and even nicer to stay in a real home.  Nothing makes you appreciate unlimited wifi and hot water like caravan life. We did a bit of site seeing and hiking but mostly it was a relaxing time with great people. I got to visit and stay with an old family friend and her two roommates (both named Katie), all of whom are from the great Pacific Northwest. So yes, they all like coffee, hiking and comfy clothing.





When people think of Ireland they think of rolling green hills and red heads-100% accurate.  It is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. On Saturday, after going to the local market, we ventured out to the Mournes, these beautiful mountains that rise up along the coast.  In some ways it reminded me of Washington, green fields, semi-grey skies, and endless water in the background, though no snow topped peaks.  Im not huge on hiking, but in Ireland it just feels like the thing to do. It helped that the other girls were all also carrying giant cameras and taking just as many photo breaks as me.  It’s one of those places that takes you back into history, passing rock walls and fields that have been there for centuries. Something I found additionally awesome was discovering that this is also where they film the best show of all time, Game of Thrones! And yes, I did feel like Arya trekking through the wilderness. Most epic moment ever.

The Mournes

Sunday we went to church and then were invited to Kellie’s fiance’s home for dinner and tea. I absolutely approve of Irish eating habits, tons of bread, chocolate and coffee.  They serve dessert with lunch, followed by tea and cookies-hellooooo why don’t we do this in America?? We also watched rugby, seeing how Northern Ireland was playing in the rugby world cup.  I think I also appreciate rugby more than American football, it’s much more fun to watch and easier to follow, even if the ball does only get thrown backwards.


Monday the girls and I took a train up to the northern coast to visit one of Irelands most scenic attractions-the giant’s causeway.  The coast was lovely. Rather than right about it, I figured pictures would be better.




I think coming to Belfast was a good reminder of what a good Christian community feels like, meeting these girls I was reminded of who I am and where I am from. Christianity is a small world amd sometimes a very badly represented one.  But I had forgotten just how loving and refreshing it can be.



 Fun facts I learned about Belfast:

  • Game of thrones is filmed there
  • Titanic was build there
  • It is beautiful
  • There actually are loads of sheep and potatoes
  • Red heads are everywhere 

Fun Irish idioms
For flip sake
Right!
Right?
Right?!
Happy day!











Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Milton Keynes

By -
Image
Sep 28-Oct. 4 I’ve come to realize that I really appreciate English parks.   They definitely know how to have communal space.   This site has a coffee house, gym, restaurant, challenge course, mini golf, playground, boats (there’s a lake), running trails with exercise equipment, and plenty of green.   It is awesome! This week we are in Milton Keynes, moving closer to London.   Further south means warmer weather. Yay! Alistair even went wakeboarding throughout the week-he was stoked. We also got to use the “guest bedroom” this week.   Oliver, a friend from the states came to visit and watch the show.   It was fun getting to share this side of circus with a performer from home, and pretty great catching up with a familiar face. As awesome as it is here, I do miss my Seattle people. The Lone Tree I am still trying to work on an act, but am having trouble finding time to train aerial and trapeze and trampoline.   I...
Read more

A New Journey: Discovering the Mind and Body through SOMA

By -
Image
On a farm out in Buckley Washington a rooster crows, cows tend to new born calves, and a feisty little old woman named Karen gathers her 7 students in a yurt, to begin their journey. Last spring I had the privilege of going through SOMA ( a specific type of bodywork treatment that targets neuromuscular integration).   After years of going to chiropractors and therapists for back pain, this treatment truly changed my life. Not only did it correct many of my posture problems and get rid of nearly all the pain I had experienced for years, it also reached much deeper into the psychological and physiological patterns that were affecting my body and my life.   After experiencing the profound changes it has had on me, I decided this was something I wanted to bring to others, something I wanted to understand more fully. Every emotional and mental thought we have, everything within our conscious, is directly related to and interconnected with our physical body.   Ev...
Read more

Lincoln-the last week in England

By -
Image
The best of England: Tea, Toasties and Tarts Nov 4-17 Lincoln-a thoroughly uninspiring city, this last stop in England did not warm my heart. November announced itself with bitter cold and pouring rain.   The ground outside our caravan and in the tent quickly became a muddy disaster.   As dreary as it may have been, I found a warm reception at a pub down the street.   I have found it interesting how different pubs in England tend to be.   In the US I think of pubs as cheaper, dirtier bars, but in England it's more like walking into your living room.   There are comfortable chairs, usually a TV on, and everyone is kicking back and talking after work. It’s casual and cozy, and if you happen to bring your own pizza and ask for tea which is not on the menu, they’re fine with that. The owner may even come over and tell you his life story-or that might be just what happens to me. Going back to basics on trampoline (super successfully) On the bright...
Read more