First post from Northern Ireland

Tonight we find ourselves in Dundonald. Even as I type this, I am drifting off to sleep in the home of Gordon and May, the parents in my Northern Irish family. I got in touch with an old friend of mine over here today, and she said to me, "I can't believe you're home!" What a lovely thing to say. I can't believe I am, either.

The last time I was here was in November of 2007. It was a great trip in many ways, because it was the first visit in over 3 years, and my best friend Hannah was able to accompany me. (It's also during that trip that I first met Cameron, but that's not really an Irish story.) However, during that trip I was quite in the throes of depression following Dad's death, and a dark cloud hangs over many of my memories from that time. I still have my struggles, but I'm in a better place now, so I'm very happy for the opportunity to see these wonderful people and beautiful places again when I can better enjoy them.

There have been so many changes, the most notable being a marriage and three new babies in the family. But no one seems to have aged much, with the exception of Boomer (Tibetan terrier, still a little bit nuts) and Tai (Akita, my husband if he were human).

Abby and I met up without trouble on Thursday. We caught an easy bus from Dublin to Belfast, and got into the city around 9:30 pm. When we got home, May made us tea and VEDA toast (favorite thing ever). I think I could eat only that and be happy on this entire trip. Here is what wikipedia says it is: "a malted bread sold in Northern Ireland. It is a small, caramel-coloured loaf with a very soft consistency when fresh." It is impossible to find a recipe for it, and it doesn't keep very long so I probably can't bring any back with me. Anyway, we sat up and talked for a long time, and then headed gratefully to bed. Poor Abby — her flight left around 6pm TN time the previous day. She had been up for at least a day and a half at this point.

The next day, I got up around 10:30am and made a breakfast of wheaten bread (the other best favorite bread ever, dear America, learn how to bake bread) and tea. Observation: I buy the same tea, good quality milk, and use the same amount of sugar in my tea at home. So why does it taste so much better in Ireland? Some theories include "the company," "the geographical location" (i.e. closer to the North Pole and therefore more light? um?), and my own, that cows are happier here and so am I.

I was going to wake Abby up around noon but she had just woken up and gone back to bed, so we let her sleep til 1:45 when enough was enough. I spent the first part of the day chatting with May, just catching up. I think we had a really nice talk. By the time we left the house, it was around 4pm, and we decided just to go to the shops to get moving and adjusted. I found a couple of souvenirs and an awesome skirt.

Graham came over that evening. He enjoyed my MacBook Air, as I thought he would. He's a dad now, which is incomprehensible! He's not that much older than I am. We spent more time talking, joking, reminiscing… It really is just family here, and that is so special. So many people, after Dad died, just ejected us from their lives without a further thought. Even people who had been in my family's lives for years — for decades. That was never a possibility with this bunch, though. Just too much love. Just so thankful.

Graham and the Air.

Saturday, milled around and went to shops. Met Graham and his wife, Caroline, back at home. Also present, one young master Toby, who is 4 months old and beautiful. He liked my ukulele. The sun had come out and the sky was blue, despite a drizzly start to the day. After lunch, we headed out to Inch Abbey, driving through Killyleagh and enjoying the scenery in general. Then we returned to Graham and Caroline's to watch the rugby game (Ulster v. Leinster, a thrashing for Ulster), drink Guinness, and have Indian food. Gareth stopped by, the first time we saw him this trip. I know my face just lit up when I saw him. He couldn't stay for long but he's got some time off next week to be our tour guide and my brother.

Mini, a real one, outside ASDA.

Gordon, Graham, and Toby.

Caroline, Graham, and Toby.

A car photo. It was stunning out.

Abby videoing the scenery.

Was so yellow in real life.

At Killyleagh

Gentlemen watching rugby.

Roll over Toby!

Back to Inch Abbey, which is perhaps my favorite place in the whole world. It was also my father's favorite, but honestly I loved it so much long before I had a sentimental reason to do so. There is no place on earth that I can recall having felt such absolute peace, each time I've been there. It really is a sacred place. Give me Inch Abbey and some Veda bread, saying "eight cows" for me a few times, and then I've had a good trip to Northern Ireland, the place I've described in the past as the home of my heart.

Walking to Inch Abbey.

From the viewfinder of the Yashica... I sat on that hill and played my ukulele.

Taking a photo of Graham taking a photo of what I was taking a photo of myself.

Updating my Nancy Drew photo from 2007.

A new angle.

  

Abby and this tree she liked.

Abby and the tree.

Well.

Family

Familyer

Cathedral where Mr Pat is supposed to be buried.

I don't know what kind of tree it is and this probably doesn't help you figure it out either.

I don't know

So cute

My legs look nice here

St Patrick on the way out.

One thing did take me by surprise amidst this beautiful, comfortable day, though. We went into Tesco to buy the Guinness, and when I entered, I felt my heart was being wrenched. I was missing Poland so terribly that I almost got teary-eyed. It was a strange feeling, a grocery store making me so homesick. Tesco is the chain where I did most of my grocery shopping when I lived in Poland those three months, but it's not like me to get sentimental over enormous, fluorescent-lit buildings where they sell alcoholic cider in 2 liter plastic bottles... This also gives me a lot to think about.

Budget beer, too.

I'm not fully satisfied with this post, but it was a long day and I am falling asleep. At least we have photos, and I hope you enjoy them. I also took some film photos that I'm excited about. (Thank you again, gentleman who told me about the light meter app for my iPod Touch.) Tomorrow, we're going to the Giant's Causeway, and to see a few other sights along the north coast. Expect more great photos to come. That's right, I said "more."