Two Types of Adventures

by Kate 
On Thursday, most of the Gonzaga-in-Derry group (everyone except me) took a day trip to Belfast.  I stayed behind in Derry to do the interview for my profile project.  Remaining in Derry while my class toured Belfast was both disappointing and a relief to me.  It was disappointing, because I missed seeing Belfast with my class.  It was a relief, because my interview did not take up the entire day.  For the first time in almost a week, I had time to reflect on my thoughts and experiences, many of which were intense and complex.  I had time to enjoy silence.  I could recharge my mental and emotional batteries.  I took a walk around the Wall of Derry and the Bogside in the morning.  After my 2 p.m. interview, which I think went pretty well, I walked around on the Waterside for a while.  Even though I was a little sad to miss out on Belfast, I was glad to have this day to myself.

The Malin Head Peninsula shoreline.

While I missed the trip to Belfast, today we took a field trip to County Donegal, in the Republic of Ireland, where we visited two shopping areas and the Malin Head Peninsula, the northern-most point in Ireland.  Even though it was cold, rainy, and windy, it was one of the coolest, exciting things I have ever seen.  We climbed to the top of Malin Head and looked out over the rocky shoreline and the crashing waves.  It was an invigorating experience.  I felt like I was on top of the world when I climbed up on the centuries-old rocky cliffs to see the magnificent vista and take photos.  When we came back down from the top of Malin Head and got back on the bus, I was so cold that I couldn’t feel my hands.   A little while later, a bowl of delicious, hot potato-leek soup for lunch warmed me up quickly.

Enjoying the adventure at Malin Head!

Tomorrow, we will take our final Gonzaga-in-Derry filed trip to the Giant’s Causeway, the Bushmills Distillery, and possibly some other places.  I can’t wait to see what adventures and photos this trip brings.  After we leave Derry, I will embark on my own journey in Dublin, where I will spend a few days before returning home to Washington, DC.