There are these unique yellow flowers that grow like bushes all over the fields, just the fields that are off the roads and highways. The side fields. And they are all different types of yellows, too. Some look like pollen just sitting on bushes-amazing. The land is so very green and is divided which ends up looking just like it does from the airplane. While on our drive from Dublin to Belfast, we were driving through Mead and I noticed some yellow tint far off in the fields. When looking more closely, I found that it was an entire field. The field had so many yellow flowers that it outnumbered the green grass and made the entire field yellow. So yellow that it could be seen from quite a distance. It was absolutely breathtaking. Btw, I just want to let you in on a little secret: this tour is full of only old people. Besides Paul and I, my parents are the youngest ones here. And my parents are 60 and 65 years old. So there is a little picture of how many whines and complaints have occurred thus far. But the four of us are making our own fun, and secluding ourselves from everyone else on the tour. Naturally. Now we're driving so I can't really take pictures as they all come out blurry and with window reflections, but I wish you could see the landscape here. Of course my mere words could never explain the beauty of this land, but there are lush greens covering every inch of space that is not road, and dotted with wildflowers set against the backdrop of huge stretches of mountains that reach up into the clouds. It is a place that every person needs to see at some point in life, no matter the cost. We just crossed the border from the Republic of Ireland into Northern Ireland. The tour guide is telling us that there is no real difference between the two parts except for cosmetic things, such as the speed limits change from kilometers to miles per hour, and the currency changes from Euros to Pounds and silver. I've got Euros already, so I'm going to try and get some pounds, as well. I've got Canadian dollars and Looneys at home, and Euros now, Pesos, and now Pounds, so I want to get as many forms of currency as possible. Its so interesting to collect. I found out that the yellow flowers are called Gourse and are nearly always in bloom, yet cause a few field fires. The white flowers are aptly called May Flowers. Interesting. Just passed sheep, horses, and cows! The tour guide just told us that the majority of Ireland speaks English, however, some speak Irish and there is a third language spoken in some parts, called Scotsgallic. Apparently is was the accent and language spoken by a large group of settlers way back when and is still spoken by a select few groups today. A little fun fact for you. I just learned that before St. Patrick was a saint, he came to Ireland to the town of present day Downpatrick and was captured by Irish pirates. Who knew such a sect of people existed? He was sold into slavery and was in charge of doing some kind of nasty work with pigs. No thank you. Once set free, he came back to Ireland having been ordained a Priest and preached to the people here. There are a few things that I'm noticing about Ireland that I particularly enjoy, and that is there use of colors. On Project Runway, the judges are always happy to see designers that aren't afraid of color. That describes Ireland perfectly. There are buildings of all sizes, shapes, materials, and colors. Like I said earlier, we passed a purple building. And the buildings that don't have color have beautiful, handcrafted doors that are vibrant in color. I've seen reds, blues, greens, yellows, and blues. And the ones that aren't colored are made from exquisite wood and have so much detail. The other aspect that I enjoy are their cemetaries. These cemetaries are filled with chairs, flowers, and color, as well. You can tell people are visiting daily, and they appear to be happy places, not sad and scary places like in America. We are about 10 mins away from Downpatrick, which is where we will be stopping for a bit. Although it is a small town with a population of only about 5000 people, it is a rather famous town. As you probably guessed, it is called Downpatrick because it shares some kind of tie with St. Patrick. This city is actually where he is buried. So there is a lot of history in this town, which I'm excited to learn more about.
Back on the coach now. We were able to take a 45 minute excursion in County Down, particularly the Down Cathedral and St. Patrick center. This cathedral was incredibly beautiful, surrounded by graveyards and beautiful countryside, as well as a quaint town down the hill. Paul and I were walking around and decided to break the rules, naturally. We saw a little sideroad field, and we had to explore, even though there were gates and Private Property signs. And I'm so glad we did. This is where the real Ireland was. The rolling hills, the lakes with white swans and grazing cows, wild flowers blowing in the breeze. It was beyond description.
Another unique aspect I've noticed: parking isn't on the streets, it's done on the sidewalks. Strange.
There is a really obnoxious woman sitting behind us. Tomorrow we'll have to make sure to stay away from her. The tour guide just asked who wasn't going to come on the Belfast city tour and Crown Pub trip. She put her hand up and said she is going to get her haircut instead. Who comes on a trip to Ireland and gets a haircut instead of touring? She will not shut up. Be on the lookout in Irish news for a woman brutally murdered during a Cosmos tour.
Also, if people have apartments or homes for rent, they don't put for sale or for rent. The signs say to let, and where they have been sold or rented out, instead of a sold sign, it says agreed. I like this better.
We just stopped off in Belfast to go to the Botanical Gardens. It was truly beautiful, although the one in Chicago is still superior. Here is an interesting sidenote now back on the bus: You know how a couple of moms will push their babies in the park together? Well walking down the street right now is a dad and a couple of friends pushing his baby in a stroller together in the park. I quite like seeing that as it doesn't happen too oft in America.
We just arrived at our hotel tonight, The Encore on Talbot Street in Belfast. Looks lovely, ill report in a minute
Wow, this place is POSH! Super mod features and layouts, its amazing! And of course a fantastic bar in the lobby. All reds and green tones decorate the lobby, very nicely done.
Now that I've spent a sufficient amount of time squealing over my amazing room, we have reloaded the bus and are on our way to have a city tour of Belfast, ending with a drink in the Crown Liquor Saloon downtown. Thankfully, the obnoxious woman decided to get her haircut now instead of coming with us.
On this city tour, I learned that Belfast, Ireland is the place where the Titanic was built and launched, and yet they don't have a Titanic museum. They say that they didn't want to celebrate a disaster that ended lives, but that so many tourists think they should have one that they have begun work on building a Titanic museum and will be open next year in time for the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic.
Lots of this city is designed around the Titanic, especially since it seems to be quite a fishing city.
There is a part of Belfast that is very British. Apparently you can hold two passports: Ireland or Britain. This area is very British because C.S. Lewis was born in Belfast and there are paintings of him on the sides of buildings that are meant to represent positive changes. Pretty cool. Also in this part of the city, there are hundreds of flags with the faces of Kate and William. Good Lord.
Well that city tour was really excellent! There is so much history in Belfast and I love learning it by actually seeing it and being immersed in it. If you could see the pace at which I am typing now compared to the pace I was typing at prior to going to Royal Crown Saloon, you'd know I've now had one magners and am moving on to my second. I didn't eat lunch (except some goldfish and nerds) so the cider hit me a lot quicker than it normally would have.
We are now at Franky and Benny's, a little restaurant around the corner from our hotel. It is situated in an environment that could be compared with City Place. Very American atmosphere, which is a bit nice when you feel like a stranger. Today was a great day overall, and I'm really looking forward to going to Sligo tomorrow!
Sidenote: Magner's Pear Cider is not as good as regular Magner's. Another, last, sidenote: Most people look really happy here. As though they enjoy being here, in this moment, right now. You don't see that as much in America. I quite like that.
Back at the hotel, in for the night. It was a 14 hour day again, and everyday seems to be, so we're usually settled in by 8:30pm so we can shower, watch tv, and get online for a bit before bed. Btw, it doesn't get dark here until about midnight. Its 9pm right now, and this is what it looks like:
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