Northern Ireland and its Wonders

During my time here in Derry, there are three major highlights that come right to mind, and that I’d like to point out. I will also discuss what these highlights taught me about myself, and about the country. The first and most impactful highlight of this trip was the Free Derry Museum, it made me realize just how much people are affected by death, and how long this trauma holds on to the people, it helped me learn that I have yet to experience something to such an extent and I need to have more sympathy and empathy towards people who have. What the Free Derry Museum taught me about Northern Ireland, is that this country is still very much entrenched in the aftermath of the troubles and for many people, they hold this place and the story that it tells, in their very own identities. The turmoil is not in the past, it is very much still present today in the institutions, organizations, and people of Derry.

The second highlight of my trip to Northern Ireland was being able to see all of the beautiful landscapes, historical markers, and buildings here. The first thing that caught my eye as we drove into Derry were the walls, but what impacted me most about them was that when you stood on them, you could see out for miles and the air around them seemed old, some of the stones were chipped away and moss-covered, some of the paint on the cannons was chipped away from weather or people, it was beautiful and knowing that these walls were built hundreds of years ago, was humbling because I’d never seen something so old. A landscape that I saw in Northern Ireland that will stay with me forever is the Giant’s Causeway. The Giants Causeway was absolutely stunning, with the white waves crashing against the black, stair-like stones. It was cold and windy that day but the sky and sea seemed never ending-still. Seeing this beauty, it made me realize that this country has hidden beauty and that many other countries focus on the strife and despair that happened in this place and is still happening, but fail to realize that it is beautiful and this should be cherished more.

The third Highlight of my time in Derry was the assignments. They required me to go out and see places, meet people, and learn about them and their stories in a more intimate way than I would have on my own. They required me to delve deeper and search for the details, analyze and ask questions, and most importantly, think about the state in which Northern Ireland as more than a destination, but a place where the people are in an odd coexistence with each other but there are many organizations and people working to change that.