The Plan

Details: 1. Make it from Chicago O'Hare airport to Derry, Northern Ireland in one piece.

2. Explore the city of Derry, Northern Ireland despite the tiredness of a long plane ride and a six hour time difference.

3. See with my own eyes, the reality of the internal unrest in Northern Ireland.

My intention was to study the peace process in Northern Ireland. Violence has been a part of Ireland's history from the very beginning. It's roots go all the way back to old days of kings and queens fighting for rule of land. The two sides have been the British and British supporters who want the country to remain a part of the United Kingdom and those who are loyal to Ireland and want the country to be free of Britain. Officially, the Republic of Ireland was established in 1949, but Northern Ireland remained a part of the United Kingdom. This is partially because the Northern part of Ireland has a large amount of Protestants who are loyal to the crown. In Northern Ireland, they are a majority, but in the country of Ireland as a whole, they are a minority. Well, needless to say, there are many loyal to Ireland in Northern Ireland and they are, to this day, unhappy being a part of the United Kingdom. You will see in the photos below the result of a car bomb that went off in front of the police station in Derry just a month or so before I arrived. The station itself was surrounded by giant cement blocks. Police officers I say carried huge guns longer than my arm and their cars were armed with bullet proof glass and made to drive through riots. They were more like tanks than cars.

so, in short the violence in Northern Ireland is like this

British/Protestants vs. Irish/Catholics.

What Happened

I left on January 16th, after more than six months of planning, to study in Northern Ireland. Leaving my parents and boyfriend at the airport was a bit heartbreaking. I wasn't going to see them for six months. If something happened, I wouldn't be able to help. Well, adventures take risks. I wouldn't have shed a tear except my mom was crying. I gave everyone a hug and made my way through security. This was my first time flying, it was even my first time in an airport, and I was more than nervous.

Sitting in my seat, I took comfort in that all those surrounding me were perfectly calm. If they weren't bothered by the fact they would soon by miles in the sky and that a faulty landing would probably end in a ball of fire, than I wasn't going to be bothered either. After take off, I was on cloud nine (pun intended). Flying was not only normal, it was great fun!

I met up with the rest of my small group in the Newark, NJ International Airport. That long flight took us to Belfast, where were met our organizer who then drove us to the Student Village in Derry. After a fantastic nap, we set out with him for a tour of the city.

After walking through our campus. we made our way into the city. Derry is nothing but large, steep hills and it was a bit exhausting. Just a few blocks away from campus we came across a broken and partially shattered sky walk. Turns out there was a car bomb that went off in front of the police station just a month or two before our arrival. All of the building around the station also suffered damage. The station itself was blocked off by large cement blocks. At the top of the blocks and around the station wall was what looked like barbed wire and security cameras. Keep in my this is just a police station, not a prison.

Fun Fact: Later in my trip I was walking to church to find a few of the cement blocks removed. I didn't notice until I came face to face with a gun barrel. They just had to officers guarding the entrance waiting for something to arrive. It wasn't there fault that I was so short as to have my head right in line with the gun. They hardly noticed me as I walked on. I never would get used to seeing police armed with such large weapons.

Continuing on, we made our way around the outside of the inner city walls, and then on top of them. On the outside was a considerable amount of graffiti, usually in regards to the Irish Troubles (1963 - 1985). Walking through the city and listening to our leader tell us about the history, it became more and more obvious that the violence didn't really end. The country is basically in a stalemate.

Walking on the walls of the inner city was surreal. Once upon a time, in the days of kings, queens, knights and swords, those walls surrounded the city of Derry. It seems so small compared to the sprawling of buildings that now surround the walls. Just imagine the generations of people who have walked on the walls. Our guide told us the British soldiers used to walk the walls, keeping an eye on the city. Since that side of Derry is mostly Catholic, their presence was not appreciated.

Moving along we came across the only group of Protestants on this side of the river, heavily barricaded with high walls and gates. Further on, just outside a Protestant school, were signs signifying the Protestants determination to never surrender.

Eventually we came to the Tower Museum, which is about the Irish Troubles. It is important to note that both sides of the conflict have stated they believe the museum is an accurate portral of the violent history. Not every museum is so honored. Our organizer left us at the museum for us to explore without him. More importantly, we had to make it back to the student village without his guidance.

As we began to make our way back, we encountered a good man selling Yankee Hot Dogs. We didn't actually approach him, but his use of both the American and Confederate flag in his umbrella made for good discussion. Do you think he was trying to be funny? Did he know Americans might find that offensive. Maybe it didn't matter. What kind of tourists comes to a country with a recent history of violence?

Me, I guess. ^_^

(We found our way back just fine)

Please log in or register to view the full details of adventures