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 By
Scott M. Dane
(p66s12a07.client.global.net.uk - 195.147.236.103) on
Sunday, June 17, 2001 - 05:57 pm:
We have arrived!!!! Though we came together in the
most unusual way...we have finally united as the MCFYP
delegation at Coreymeela. There have been many wonderful
experiences thus far. Perhaps the most eye-opening experience
has been conversing with youth from all over the world. I feel
so fortunate to live in America where we don't wake up to war
every morning. I have truly enjoyed meeting youth from all
over the world.
Currently I am working on my Irish accent but I have yet to
master it. I have danced in an Irish pub with Elsa. Though we
were told we were very good I believe they were using their
"Irish Sarcasm".
 My accent is becoming very confusing now
because it is a mix of England, Ireland and many others. I
will have it down when I return.
The scenery here is unreal.
Currently we can see the coast of Scotland. We visited Giant's
Causway which I am now convinced is the most beautiful place
in the world.
This has been the most amazing experience in my life and the
adventure has just begun.
By Danielle Williams
(p66s12a07.client.global.net.uk - 195.147.236.103) on Sunday,
June 17, 2001 - 06:22 pm:
Hi everyone! We
are here in Northern Ireland. After a while (i.e. I forgot my
ticket, Matt never showed up in Chicago, Jenny, Scott and I
didn't fill out our "white cards") , we are finally here as a
whole group...even Matt. We spent our fist night in Dublin at
An Craegan. Elsa, Scott and I had quite the craic (sounds like
crack--means party) at the restaurant by our cabin. We arrived
in Northern Ireland today and had a wonderful tour of Giant's
Causway. It has got to be the most beautiful place on earth.
Although it was a wee bit nippy, the weather was absolutely
lovely. We will be staying here at Corrymeela. Elsa, Jenny and
I have a great view of Rithland (roll the R) right out of our
window. We got our first taste of Irish Music tonight. We all
got up and did a little jig. We've definitely made a name for
ourselves. Well, there's not much else to say now but I can
promise that there is going to be plenty more to look out for.
See Ya Soon!!
Danielle -- PS: Hey Doyle I'll e-mail you and Tony.
By Elsa Mersereau
(p66s12a07.client.global.net.uk - 195.147.236.103) on Sunday,
June 17, 2001 - 06:33 pm:
Watch out- the Americans have arrived!! Ireland is
such a beautiful country with even lovelier people. I'm sure
everyone else has given you a run down of events, so let me
fill you in on some of my highlights so far: The Irish
desserts, the Irish pubs, the Irish men, the Irish gigs, and
the Irish accents. God I love this place! Not only have we
been having our share of fun, we have given the locals a few
good laughs. We did assure them that not all Americans our
like us. (YACers can get a little crazy after no sleep.) Just
to educate you a little on the culture, here are some Irish
terms you should know: wee bit, cheers, brilliant, and craic.
We are getting so good, I'm sure we'll be mistaken for locals
by time we leave.
But the greatest part has been learning about all the people
from throughout the world. I have meet people from Croatia,
Bosnia, Yugoslavia, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Great Britain,
and Wales. I absolutely love learning about all the different
cultures. Everyone is so interesting, but what is even better
is that we are all focused on youth empowerment and youth
grant making. Until tomorrow- Cheers!!
By
MacVey
(p66s12a07.client.global.net.uk - 195.147.236.103) on Sunday,
June 17, 2001 - 06:39 pm:
Wow, it seemed
for a while as if I would never arrive. After a delayed flight
out of Detroit I missed my connection to Dublin and spent the
night in Chicago waiting for the next flight. I was picked up
at the airport by Vernon, one of the leaders of the
conference, and then taken on a nausea-inducing ride to
Corrymeela, the conference center. At this point it was 11 in
the morning on Sunday the 17th and I had all day until the
rest of the groups would arrive. I walked out to bench
overlooking the Irish Sea and began to relax for the first
time in a while. The Irish seaside is wonderful. I have
enjoyed the company of my fellow Americans very much. This
conference promises to be very interesting and I am really
looking forward to getting into the meat of the program
tomorrow. I have already had the pleasure of enjoying a nice
opening ceremony and some great Irish dancing. If any of you
reading this have the chance to dance with Jenny, take it!!
Whooo. Just kidding again.
Peace,
Matt MacVey
By
Gabi Lopez-Betanzos
(p66s12a07.client.global.net.uk - 195.147.236.103) on Sunday,
June 17, 2001 - 06:51 pm:
Hello Everyone,
Ireland is the Emerald Isle. From when my plane descended
below the clouds over Dublin I've loved and appreciated the
beauty of the island. We took a chartered bus from the Dublin
airport to the An Craeggan Visitors Centre in a very rural
area of Northern Ireland. At the Visitors Centre we first met
the YouthStock conference participants from Bosnia, Croatia,
and Montenegro. Each is interesting, intriguing, and dedicated
to their various activities.
Sunday morning, I got up early and walked around the bog
surrounding the Visitors Centre. I've never seen anything like
it. The bog consists of mosses, grasses, and low brush growing
in peat, a very moist, spongy substance. Then, I went to
breakfast. I had an Irish Fry. It's hard to describe, so I'll
just say that is was huge, entirely fried, and delicious.
Next, I went to Mass. It was . . . interesting. We then hopped
on a bus driven by a colorful local and went to the Giant's
Causeway. The Giant's Causeway is a totally unique rock
formation on the northern coast of Northern Ireland. Check out
our pictures to understand.
The Corrymeela Community, the center at which the conference
is being held, is situated on a cliff over the North Atlantic.
Scottish Isles are visible on the horizon. The facility is an
incredible place built specifically for reconciliation between
Catholics and Protestants.
 So,
I love the people, scenery, and accents that different people
have. I'm having a blast and truly appreciate that I'm here!
Let me know if you have any questions and keep your eyes open
for more postings.
Gabi
By
Jenny
Zeisler
(p66s12a07.client.global.net.uk - 195.147.236.103) on Sunday,
June 17, 2001 - 06:58 pm:
Hi friends! We
are having so much fun...and have already met so many great
people! I don't know where to start, and I hope not to bore
you...but I'll do my best to make this interesting! :)
Friday 7:30 am. Left Traverse City and drove to Grand Haven.
Got there in time to have lunch with Kari Pardoe, a good
friend working at CMF this summer who is spending ridiculous
hours putting together our trip to Northern Ireland, the
Making Change summer experience for youth grantmakers and a
trip to Connecticut for a few other youth grantmakers. (We
appreciate you Kari!)
Friday 12:00 noon. We drove to Grand Rapids, a detour on our
way to Chicago, because one trip-goer forgot her tickets...hhhmmmm...Danielle!!!
We had a great time laughing, and actually doing a little
business on our way to Chicago.
Friday 7:40 pm. Ok, time to board the plane, but....where is
Matt? Well, his plane got stuck in the air in Chicago and he
didn't make the flight. We were all pretty bummed! :( The
flight was fine. Danielle, Scott and I sat together (praying
the whole time) in the back of the plane, and Donnell and
Craig sat in the front. Little sleep was had by all!
Saturday 4:20 am (but, 9:20 am Dublin time [GMT]). So, Scott,
Danielle and I forgot to fill our "white card" on the
airplane...apparently its important...oops...I guess that wasn't
just some American junk mail thing. Anyway, after we got
through customs, we waited around at the airport for our two
last members, Elsa and Gabi. Soon after they arrived we loaded
a bus and headed to Northern Ireland.
Saturday 3:00 pm (GMT from here on out). We are staying for a
night at a resort called An Craegan in Northern Ireland. We
met the group from Bosnia and Croatia and two from London.
They are wonderful! We had so much fun meeting with them,
talking, and eating (an awesome huge meal) together. After a
night of talking at the pub, we headed to our cabins.
Sunday 9:00 am. Breakfast was really amazing, I had porridge,
others had some interesting things, like: blood sausage, soda
cakes, eggs, and potato cakes. We loaded a bus, together with
the Bosnians and Croatians, to head to Ballycastle where we
will be spending the rest of our time in Northern Ireland.
The ride was so beautiful. We drove along the northern coast.
It was green and hilly, and when we could see the water, it
was amazing!
We stopped at a tourist stop called Giants Causeway. It was
right on the coast. We walked all along the coast on the roads
and green. Then we ate our lunch outside. (Who said the
weather here is yucky?? It was 65 and sunny today,
gorgeous!!!!)
Sunday 3:30 pm. Finally, Ballycastle....we are at Corrymeela
for the rest of the week.  Wow,
this is absolutely amazing! We are high on a cliff, looking
over the ocean, Ruthlin Island, Scotland, and the town of
Ballycastle. Its great to see our friends from Northern
Ireland again and also nice to be together with the whole
group! I can't wait to meet everyone! (Also a note, we are
finally united with our last group member, Matt.)
Corrymeela is great. It is a peace and reconciliation
community. There are all sorts of sleeping arrangements and
meeting areas, each unique and each very nice.
Sunday 6:00 pm. Opening ceremonies. Very moving beginning!
Aside from the welcomes from Northern Ireland and people from
Corrymeela, two key speakers opened the conference. First,
Albie Sachs from South Africa taught us about being different,
both inside and out. Second, a Native American brought peace
and understanding to the group.
We are also excited to find there are many volunteers that run
Corrymeela. The most exciting thing is that they are from all
over the world. Our tour guide was from South Africa, and we
enjoyed a game of America vs. The World in soccer (i.e. America
vs. Ireland, America, Sweden, and Northern Ireland).
After dinner we were entertained by an Irish Drum Band. The
most interesting thing was that the drums were even
labeled: Catholic and Protestant. At any rate, the band was
really great! We (the fearless Americans) started dancing and
soon enough we were not the only ones pretending to dance the
Irish jig. |
