A few visuals

Finally the chance to add a few photos!

The first couple were taken the first week, and arguably one of the nicest and most beautiful that we've spent here. It was 3 mile hike around part of the North Coast on the way to see Giants Causeway. The causeway was cool, but i preferred the views from the hike! The girls here are all on our trip, Jordan, Meg, and Carrie (my roommate) on the right.

A beautiful afternoon walk at my home for the semester...

These photos were from our first week of touring. They are at the remains of an 11th century (i think) monastary.
There's a legend behind the trough. The man who was dress like a monk spoke asked us if he could tell us a legend that was not Christian. If a man lies in the coffin and fits he'll die within a year. But if a woman lies in it and fits she will be married withing the year. No worries, Chris, it's official now!

I know this one's a bit blurry, but it's our group at Stormont, the Northern Ireland parliament building. We're actually in the members' lounge here because 2 of the members spoke with our group and then just walked us around a bit and talked with us. We got to go where they have their votes and debates and to sit in the members' seats. Then they treated us to tea in their lounge. It epitomized Ireland in my mind. They were so friendly and witty. They did not worry about time but about fostering relationships. it was a great experience!

A common view of the bus/van mode of transportation that our group uses to get around. Which isn't actually very often because we only activate the insurance on a day when we use it. So we will really only be using it to travel to our class at Queen's in Belfast on Thursdays and to church on Sundays. After church, if they days are nice, we will be trying go see an attraction close by--milk the uses out of our day of insurance!

This is a view from just outside of our town. Beautifulpastureland! The Mountains of Mourne are to the left in the backround. One of those is the highest peak in Northern Ireland. Hope to get to climb that soon!