We landed! Tuesday morning, after a full day of traveling, we landed at Dublin International Airport! There we were met with Conor and Eamon, staff members part of the St. Peter’s Immaculata Youth Centre who drove us to Belfast! While waiting for our hotel, we visited Belfast Castle, the view was amazing (and there were cats – not the real kind, unfortunately – everywhere!) and so was their hot chocolate from the cafe!

Then we had lunch at the youth centre where we met Stephen (from the youth centre) and Brandon (from AllPeopleBeHappy!) We returned to the hotel to rest for a little bit before having dinner and then going back to the centre where we met some of the kids and had our Peace Workshop with Stephen who taught us some basic history about Ireland and the Troubles in the 20th century (we were well supplied with treats by Eamon).

Then, our second day in Belfast started with breakfast at the hotel, then a visit to the murals at the City Walls! Some of us signed the wall too. We saw both sides of the wall, one covered in murals and the other bare which really showed the perspective of both sides. One who found it restricting, and one who found it protective from the violence from the other side of the wall. Conor told us a lot about both perspectives of the history, as well as his background.

We headed to the Parliament building and had a guided tour, and learnt how the Northern Ireland government functions, how it was founded, and how it’s run now. We headed back to the centre for some lunch. Then we went to the Ulster Museum!

I got quite lost and entranced by all the exhibits and hopped from one area to another where I lost track of time, so I had to speed through the rest of them. I started out from the art exhibits, then to the animals and evolution, and humanities, and even went to the Troubles exhibit! I spent some time in the gift shop before we left for dinner at a Fish n Chips place where I had quite a delicious vegetarian burger. A friend and I got Nando’s takeout as well as some snacks for the road tomorrow (we leave for Donegal tomorrow morning) and the rest of the trip, and then returned to the hotel.

Now I’m super excited for our adventures going forward as we shift into a more activity based environment with meeting different business owners for our projects and go sightseeing! We visit Giants Causeway, Derry (and the walls), and much of the northern coastline!

All in all, these past two days have taught me a lot about Irish history, equal to or even more than the book we read. Everyone is open to talking about their experiences, because they all have had some. The different communities, and how they’re slowly growing as the younger generation tries to bridge the gaps slowly, while the older generations remember the conflict. It’s both inspiring, and hopeful, because they don’t give up. They’ve had so much in the past in the recent 30 years and more. I am so grateful I can learn more about this place and its people.