You know those movies...

the ones where the kids start out crazy and out of control, and eventually, they become fantastic leaders, learners, singers... I think I am living in one of those movies, or at least the first half of one. This first week has been a bit of wild ride. But to start from the beginning...

Before we get anywhere, it's important that you know that Belfast is in Northern Ireland. It is NOT a part of Ireland (think Virginia vs. West Virginia...although that doesn't help you CA folk who still thought WVA was part of VA....). It is part of the United Kingdom, they use the pound sterling for currency. Obviously, this identity is contentious, and thus, "The Troubles" of the past decades. Teach this to your friends too- I was hanging out with a bunch of early 20s young adults who were mocking the ignorance of Americans regarding Northern Ireland.

Anyhow,
I arrived in Belfast last Wednesday morning. (Some of you may recall I was to stop over in Geneva first, but plans changed and I flew right into Belfast). After a quick stop at my new home, I headed to my volunteer site (FS). FS is a cross community center that sits right along the still existant peace wall. They run a number of programs: Afterschool programs, Youth programs, Pensioner groups, Women's groups, a community cafe that is open to anyone for lunch. I had an abbreviated Ulster Fry for lunch (soda bread, potato bread, bacon, sausage, egg- all fried) and then jumped into helping with the "wee ones" afterschool group. We grabbed a bite to eat (no not at a pub, chinese) in the city center and then headed home to settle in. The next day was uneventful, except for taking a taxi by myself for the first time ever. I worked with the older afterschools and then sat in on a youth program. But Friday is when the real fun began...

We took 19 youth- half protestant, half catholic, all 13-17 y/o to Enneskillan for residential (a 2 hour bus ride). It's basically a trip to culminate their program, get them out of the city, and give them a chance to canoe, kayak, etc. We were on this little island and they all went nuts...you name it they did it. The next morning we were sitting at the Ulster Bus station at "half six" (6:30am) waiting for the first bus back to Belfast. We (youth workers), and the young people (yp) didn't sleep a minute the enitre night before, them running around, us chasing them. If we add up all the times that everyone who reads this blog has been cursed at, it wouldn't come near to the amount we were cursed at in that 10 hours. And yet, there were some really "brilliant" moments...I watched one boy captivated by a moth caught in a spider's web, another girl hollered at me to "come on over" and "just join in" the conversation. One boy was working on giving up smoking (all of the yp smoke non-stop), another has this seriously deviant grin that he gives you and you know you're on okay terms. I got teased for not knowing the N. Irish slang, and the one boy took it on to make sure I got it "dead on." The further away last weekend gets, the more hazy the craziness gets, and the more clear the goodness is.

We have another residential this weekend, with two other groups of young people. We had to change locations, there was so much damage done at the first center that we aren't allowed back...but we'll see if it's any better this time around.

other good things:
*My housemates are super. K has been amazing at helping me settle into the house and Belfast. She's the BVSer who's leaving shortly, so she's shown me the ropes of how to pay bills, get a phone, etc...(Abby, she'd fit perfectly into our psychoanalyzing sessions). L is really active in the church around the corner and let me tag along to about four church events last weekend, introducing me to everyone. Sadly, both of them leave the house this summer (although both are staying in the Belfast area for school). In July, two new (male) German volunteers move in.
*Belfast is beautiful with all of the brick homes and stone churches. It's surrounded by the very green Black Mountain and Cave Hill.

Ok, so enough for this marathon post. If you've made it this far, here's the disclaimer for this entire blog site. I write a lot, I know. I think it's a bit theraputic for me :). But please don't feel compelled to read every word, I promise I won't test you!!

So, cherio for tonight, I'm sure I'll post again soon...I spend lots (way too much!) time on this computer, since I have no other hobbies yet...

(photo 1: my new home. I live in the house with the green gate. photo 2: FS...where I'll be spending LOTS of time)