Monday (Day 10): I started my last week in Belfast by spending the day in nature. In the morning, I had a wonderful interview with a trauma therapist who works for the Regional Trauma Network. Afterwards, I went to Belfast Castle, had lunch, and took a walk around the castle gardens! I think my most favorite thing about this place is how beautiful it is – wandering around the castle grounds today, I felt like I was living in a storybook scene come to life!
Next, I went to the Holywood Seaside Park near the city. It was pouring rain, but I walked 20 minutes from a local coffee shop to the beach. Have you ever been to the beach in the rain? It was unlike any experience I’ve ever had – the seaside was empty with the exception of a few people and their dogs playing in the ocean. The water was a stormy gray-blue, and there were so many mountains just beyond the sea. The only beaches and oceans I’ve ever experienced have been on warm and sunny days, so I was very grateful to be able to spend time at this park in the rain. I think I spent a couple hours simply walking up and down the coast, listening to music, and taking everything in!
Tuesday (Day 11): Today, I took the train early in the morning to head to Armagh, a city around an hour and a half away from Belfast! The team leader of the Southern Trust for the RTN was kind enough to invite me down, and I had such an amazing and meaningful time in her city. We drove around and saw the ginormous bonfires that would be lit tonight in celebration of the holiday on July 12th. She then took me to visit the St Patrick’s Cathedrals. Both cathedrals tower over the city on opposite sides, and 1 is a Catholic church while the other is a Protestant church. Next, we visited the WAVE Trauma center in Armagh, and I got the opportunity to speak with a staff member there about the work that the organization accomplishes in the community. He even gave me a book full of photos and narratives from the conflict that I believe will be valuable for my research.
I also had the opportunity to visit the RTN center in Armagh. There, I had two interviews: one with one of their therapists and another with the team leader herself. She introduced me to her 2 daughters, who are around my age, and we went to the county museum together! I learned new perspectives regarding trauma care here, and it was really nice to hear what growing up in Northern Ireland is like from people my age. Overall, I am so thankful for my day trip today!
Thursday (Day 13): Today is my LAST day in Belfast before I leave to Sarajevo ☹️ So, I decided to go on a bus tour of Giant’s Causeway. The tour began in Belfast at 8:30AM and ended around 7PM! Needless to say, I saw so many different places and landmarks; I cannot remember all of our stops. If you are ever in Northern Ireland, I highly recommend taking a tour of the Northern coast and seeing Giant’s Causeway. It was one of the most stunning places I have ever seen in my entire life!
I also made friends with two girls (who are also tourists) on my bus tour. At every stop, we would explore the area together! We sat in front of the ocean on the rocks and talked for hours; we even had dinner together after the tour ended! I think tonight’s dinner was the best meal I’ve had in Belfast – maybe because I had such good company 😁
I am really sad to leave this country – the long walks in truly unpredictable weather, the beautiful and vast sky, the ocean and the mountains, the neverending greenery… Belfast was so different from Argentina, yet, staying in both places have given me the most incredible moments. I can’t even find the words to explain how surreal and extraordinary my travels have been so far.
I am so excited for the next country! Until next time Belfast!
Thank you for reading ❣️