Today we had a tour in Derry of City Hall, the peace wall, and bogside by an Irish Buddhist named Ronan. It has been my favorite tour so far, especially since it was done by someone who grew up in Northern Ireland but has an un-biased opinion when it comes to the loyalists and the nationalists. One thing Ronan said that really stuck with me with me when he was talking with us was how if it wasn’t for hope, the people of this country wouldn’t have a goal to reach toward, or anything to look forward to. Just like Ronan, I believe that hope is the key to making Northern Ireland a better place. Ronan has hope that one day the schools will intertwine, because the youths of the country are the building blocks for making this area better. Kevin mentioned in class today how there is a weird vibe that surrounds Derry, like this unseen tension that runs through the town. You can see it on the people’s faces and just walking around and looking at the buildings. The feeling is a lot different than any place we have experienced so far. The town carries a certain negative energy, but I think I have learned the most in Derry compared to the other places we have visited. It has been an interesting experience so far, and I’m excited for the rest of the trip.
Kita DeMare
