In Belfast: the beginning.

It all starts with a plane ride from DFW to Boston, Massachusetts...and the rest is history!

I was greeted in Dublin by my best friend and an umbrella. My first meal in Ireland as some sort of cream cheese salmon bruchetta and a lemon Fanta. Afterwards, we began our 2 hour trek to the city that stole my heart: Belfast. For some reason, instead of sleeping on the way there I just talked Stacha's head off. (that has to be some sort of stage in sleep deprivation, yeah?) We made it to Belfast and the goal was to stay up as long as possible. I can't say how well I succeeded in that but, my first official day in Belfast had already exceeded my expectations.

I...

• had some delicious brownies.
• Found the best gummies.
• Experienced "all four seasons" of Ireland in one day.
• SLEPT.

Boy, did I sleep. When asked "What time should we set the alarm?" I answered "9:30." Little did I know what I meant by 9:30 was really 1. Nonetheless, Stacha let me sleep in til then and we started our day at St. George's Market. I loooooooovee markets! This market had so many different homemade goodies-both foods and crafts.

 

  Here we are at the market after eating brunch. 

I had this wonderful sandwich with "UK" bacon, mushrooms, and cheese inside of some very floury bread. If I had to choose some food to be stranded on an island for the rest of my life; this would be one of them.

Then she showed me around all of City Centre. I loved it. The shops, food, clothes, and buildings; a day in the life of Stacha Cae. 

 

 My first protest at city hall. 

 

 This is me (a little scared) on the very top floor of Victoria Square overlooking cloudy, yet, beautiful Belfast.

 That night we made some plans to go to BT1...for some Karaoke! Yes. Yes. and Yes. A highlight of mine from this trip forsures. Stacha, I, and a couple of her friends sang, danced, and danced. We sang a compilation of the Spice Girls and Destiny's Child songs. We also had a couple of interesting admirers. From one of them and a later experience in the trip lead me to believe that a pick up line in Ireland is "Shut up", "Shhh", or "Be quiet". Stacha had her bouncers with her and they were kicked out soon enough. We don't roll that way; but, an experience for the books.

 

 Meg, Stacha, and Me at BT1.

 The next morning we went back to St. George's Market. (this time a wee bit earlier.) 

 

 Meg joined us for the second day.

 

 Here's an excited little Stacha with her mockingjay necklace and the jeweler who made it.

 

It was the best of times. *dododododo*

Afterwards, we walked around City Centre a wee bit more. I had a lovely opportunity to go to church in Belfast and see the Lord at work in the lives of Village Belfast. For the short time I was there I knew the Spirit of the Lord dwelled among these brothers and sisters. Not too long after we were on our way to pick up Sarah. The journey continues...in the next blog!