We set of the 19th of April for parts unknown; while there were some who had visited parts of Scotland it was the first for us as a group. We were educated on the history and culture of the north of England and got a taste of the culture and life of Scotland as our trip progressed. I think the real taste of Scottish traditions came when we visited the whisky distillery in Oban. But over all as we travelled and became familiar with the sight of flossies (sheep) dotting the hillside and rolling mountains with ribbon like streams winding it's way down, there was only one way to describe the scenes, simply "lovely"!
As we took the ferry to Ireland, the sun graced us with its presence more and more frequently. We moved away from the rolling hills to crashing waves and white sandy beaches. While the wind reminded us that it wasn't the appropriate weather to take a swim, the crispness of the air and the smell of sea salt were welcoming enough. Certainly a break from what we were accustomed to in London.
But before we got the chance to really relax and enjoy the outdoors we got a first hand tour of the tensions and conflict in Ireland. As our wise guide and teacher pointed out as we came face to face with the peace walls, hard to believe that this is the united kingdom where it is supposed to be safe. The visual representation of the tension and the persecution were blatant in graffiti and the structures in the different areas. One woman even came up to our group as were taking a quick look around and showed us rocks that were thrown over the wall from the protestant side into her home on the catholic side. We were also shown around the cemetery where we visited the 10 who went on the hunger strike, and also saw the various marches, which were taking place. It was Easter Sunday and for most it was a day of marching and remembering. The other area of conflict we looked around in was London Derry. We were greeted with a huge wall, which read "welcome to free Derry", and as John pointed out, this was is sign of rebellion against the British and a vanguard monument for protests.
In a way it was a part of the trip, which had everyone reflecting. I know it left me a bit quiet and as Sibylle pointed out it made her feel strange. I guess in a way it is hard to believe that in 2000 there are still disputes taking place with religion being at the centre and the hatred is still so much alive, in a way it is no different from apartheid in south Africa. But as we left Belfast we went on to Ballentoy and this in a sketchy post mortem of the trip seemed to be a favourite for many. It is hard for me to describe except it was one of the most perfect locations I had ever been too. Thus it earned a bit of a special mention. The hostel was superb, and it sat on top of a hill, which led down to a white sandy stretch of beach. I remember walking down the evening we arrived only to see John, Max and Keith standing on the shore, all facing out to sea but with some distance apart all wrapped up in their own world. Dinner in a town with only two pubs was tasty as well as rewarding. There was a duo playing music and singing ad while some played pool the Brazilians, Alba and Arganaldo showed us a few steps or two. As the night moved on some stayed and some left, Keith made some friends with the more mature folks of the area and I was even taught a thing or two when it comes to moving to the beat on the dance floor. While Tim and Max rose to the challenge of a game of pool with one of the locals, and how can we forget Polina who made show they knew that girls can play pool. It was the most out of the way place with the exception of Glencoe; the difference here was that it had a bit of everything.
Unlike Glencoe the rainy hike up to sheep country was the highlight of that visit, but it was a good opening for future hikes.
I don't think I need to say much about Kevin and our hostel in Donegal, not to mention the shrines right guys? But it was in Westport that Sybille showed us that she was a quick learner when it came to doing an Irish jig. And John even joined in a few Irish songs, the live Irish music held all our attentions. But Marlene, Sybille and myself had our own little adventure that evening as we checked out various pubs and even had a traditional Irish coffee not to mention the free bread we got!. Sun even had her first Guinness! That night we left when the music ended and the pub closed all amazed that in a small town there can be so many pubs.
Off we went to Yeats country and experienced a bit from a son of the soil and his great works. Then we moved on to Galway. But not before we visited the very telling monument to the famine, which was constructed in the shape of a boat with skeletons for mast and flag. Then to actually experience the tale of St. Patrick casting away the snakes from Ireland it was a trek up a mountain. While some stayed in the coffee shop only a few ventured up. It began with John in the lead followed by Tim, Keith, Marlene and myself. However I was the first to turn around since the rain started to show a presence and the rocks were slippery, on my way down I met Max going up. In the end it was John, Tim, Keith, and Max who made it to about half way (editors note: half way....as in 90% of the way :). Marlene was the only female who made a successful climb. And max confessed he had to carry stones in his pockets so as not to be blown away. Then onto another scenic drive along the lakes; we also paid a visit to Kilmore Abbey, which was where the umbrella incident with Sybille and Marlene occurred in which they survived, then onwards to Galway. That night Tim, Marlene, the Brazilians and myself decided to check out the nightlife which was not too bad.
But I think the most adventurous of the trip was when the van stalled right outside of Dublin. We then played cards to pass the time, Tim told jokes, and well John directed traffic outside. We took the local bus to the city centre and continued on our tour, which included a trip to the brewery (Guinness). We all had the free pint afterwards then headed for our hostel to prepare for our final night in Ireland. Temple bar we can say been there and done that, including being an audience to some fancy foot working, and quite pretty Irish dancers, right Max? Then the ferry we took to Holyhead, to see the famous Conway castle and then to the town of Bangor for the final night's dinner as a group. While some enjoyed the atmosphere on a park bench that night as we waited for the other to leave the restaurant all I can say is that it was the start to an eventful night not to mention our last together.
Throughout the trip little events occurred, we had the emergence of the three Georges, as I call them, but if you want more details check, Polina, Max or Tim, there was were lessons en route in the mini bus, from the history of Portugal, to the discovery that Portugal was someone's last name. We were also educated on the difference of being proposed to, to being proposition to, not to mention our knowledge of sheep and their lifestyle has increased. On the trip we also discovered that Sybille was conducting research for probably what could become a best seller for travellers in the UK and Ireland, Marlene could clearly tell you the difference between tea and coffee biscuits and shortbread. Max measured everything according to pints including coffee, Polina was a human alarm clock for some Keith could tell the difference between Guinness in the UK and in Ireland and the Brazilians and churches have become synonymous. Ther was even a bit of a twinkle in the eyes for some?
So altogether it was indeed a "lovely" trip.
Rookmin.
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