Emerald Isle

I haven't written on this thing for months and months. I thought about abandoning it and starting anew but alas... I am lazy. Have been in Ireland for about a week now. On a retreat/internship/quarter life parenthesis (pause on life). I'm staying at a place called the Ballyeamon barn which is about five miles from the town of Cushendall- quite charming in the Irish charm sort of way. It's beautiful. Right off the North Antrim Coast and covered in the greenest green hills that I've ever seen. Every hill and stone and twig here has some sort of story or saying to go with it.

I'm not quite sure why I felt the need to start the blog up again. I suppose because I've been taking some pictures but also I've been having a hard time writing anything here. I've been doing some collage and have been going for walks, following Liz (the storyteller- more on that later), eating loads of biscuits, and chatting with those who come in and out of the hostel. That means both people who come to stay and visit but also some locals who frequent since Liz's house is attached. Yet, as I was saying, my writing has not been wanting to come out. It's almost like I needed a space to just put my daily happenings before I write any sort of stories or anything creative.

I wouldn't even know how to explain exactly what I have done so far. Let's see... I guess the first day or so I just tried to stay awake. I was greeted by two very kind Boulderites, one of which was a Barn minder here for a month. So she showed me the ropes and trails around the area. I've also been introduced to the regulars as I mentioned. One, Anthony, stayed here a few days. He works for the NW Mountain Rescue team so the first day I arrived, I was already being wrapped up in a body bag and thrown into the fields in order to be eventually found by the rescue dog, Jody. She's a very cute and bright black and white collie. Anthony and I were able to have some chats on the simple life- spending time in nature, watching birds, visiting the fairie lands, walking...

The other guy is Raimie. He is an artist who does community projects. I was actually already able to "interview" him, as in record him talking about his most recent project, "The Belfast Flag Project," where he is putting up 10,000 ! flags up on the Peace Wall which are handmade by all sorts of community members. That'll launch August 6th, three days after I head back to the states. He's also done some other really awesome projects with schools or other marginalized groups. I'm hoping to take a look at some of his art in the next week or so.

The third mister is Mr. Feargel. Awesome name. He's a character. And a nurse at the town's elderly center. I got to watch Liz tell stories there last week. Though, it was more about just getting the group to remember things from their youth or earlier years. Anyways, Feargle will be a good person to ask about stories and community building/ healing.

So for now those are my three people to circulate. I really have no idea what this adventure will turn into. I am telling people that I'm doing research for my thesis but is that what I'm really doing? I don't know. Wanting to be a creative myself, it might just be something entirely different, but rather than trying to get in my head and figure out this process before I do it, I'm just going to do my best to listen, ask questions, and find some quiet clarity.

Tonight a group of ten girls arrived for a sort of Bachelorette gathering. They will be heading down to the pub soon and I will join in to have a Friday Guinness and listen to some music. I do realize that this must be the most boring post ever- but to be honest I am just needing to clear my head and see where I'm at. Hopefully I can write something a little more entertaining tomorrow, even if just for myself.

Off for a quick walk. The nights stay light here very late ! :)