This morning was quite hectic, as some of us woke up early to run, only to find the rain halting that idea. Some of us did endure the elements to take a short jog (Alexis, Nina, Katie, Tom, John, and Ian, to be exact), and we were glad we did.
Today was a special day that was reserved for a break as we went out for a sumptuous breakfast at Deane's Deli. The Deli has quite a colorful menu, offering such a spectrum from white and black pudding (aka blood sausage), to French toast, croissants and eggs. The blueberry and white chocolate scones were to die for (according to my mom). We took a few pictures of ourselves inside the restaurant, and the manager treated us extremely well (she recognized Mr. Bizga, as everyone does, from last year!). After finishing breakfast, the sun came out, and we all went our separate ways to do some shopping and sight-seeing.
Some of us went to the spectacular Victoria Centre, while others went to other popular souvenir shops like Carroll's. Others strolled around the streets of Belfast, grabbing lattes from street cafes, or catching up on reading in charming, old libraries. Some made a trip to the local vintage store to purchase a dazzling purple corduroy sport jacket (you are stylin' , Tom) and 70s Italian leather loafers (a great steal Ryan found for only 12 pounds). A bit later, Celtic FC soccer gear was a popular choice while John found a great-looking black trench which he has been sporting ever since. Once it was one o'clock, we all met back at city hall, caught our cabs, and headed back to the dorms to catch up on some work and get some much needed R&R. All in all, it was a very pleasant morning and afternoon.
Our afternoon correspondent is Nina Touraji:
"Orange you glad there wasn't fighting at the Parade?"
Hey everyone! This is Nina here to share with you about our eventful Thursday afternoon! After a nice, relaxing few hours of free time, we had class, or book club, as Mrs. Varnish likes to call it. In class, we had a quick quiz today. After class, Mr. Bizga had us gather outside for a discussion on the transition from the RUC (Royal Ulster Constabulary) to the PSNI (Police Service of Northern Ireland). We had some meaningful discussion about the negative outlook Catholics had of the police and how that institution is transforming. It surprised me how, even if a major issue arose, many Catholics refused to go to the police for help. Tomorrow we are spending the entire day with the PSNI and will see firsthand where things are at today.
Afterward, we got ready to leave for the Orange Parade in commemoration of the Battle of the Somme. In a nice change of events, the taxi cabs met us at the front of our building rather than at the entrance to our development, a significant walk away. I got into the cab with Alexis, Katie Bolas, and Ms. Duarte. Our cab dropped us off at the Central Station and we met up with Glenn Jordan of the East Belfast mission and his friend Linda and walked to the interface at Short Strand in East Belfast. An interface is where a Protestant and Catholic neighborhood meet and is usually an area of greater tension, so, needless to say, I was feeling a bit anxious about going.
Overcoming our fears of being Catholic at a strikingly Protestant event, we stood right at the interface to watch the Orange Parade march by us. While waiting on the curb, Glenn mentioned how there was usually a police presence at the parades, so it was odd that they were absent. Moments later, over fifty police officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland arrived in armored trucks lining up and down the street as far as we could see, right at the border line. There was even a police officer in the Catholic neighborhood to prevent stones from being tossed over the peace wall! The officers, we were informed, were dressed in less gear than they had been in previous years and this was viewed as a major improvement. This shocked me because each officer was wearing a bulletproof vest. Later, I found out that in the past few years the police wore full riot outfits with shields, helmets and erected make-shift screens at the interface.
All around our group, zealous Protestants were decked in Union Jack flags and blue Rangers jerseys, all symbols of Protestantism. As we were waiting, Glenn told our group about how kids our age would follow their favorite section of the parade or walk with friends. He also said that there was a lot of underage drinking on the streets which the police were working toward restricting by confiscating alcohol without making arrests.
When the parade started, I was surprised to see children as young as four marching on the streets, throwing batons and playing instruments. However, despite all the young children, the members belonging to the Orange Order were older and few compared to their strengthened numbers years ago. There were sections of piccolos, accordions, and drums which marched past our group playing songs like “The Sash My Father Wore” and “The Old Orange Flute,” while each lodge carried banners showing pictures of people like William of Orange and Martin Luther. Men beating their drums were going crazy, fervently thudding their instruments. Glenn told us that by the end of the six-to eight-mile parade route, their hands would be bloody, a symbol of their achievement. He also noted that the instruments were particularly loud at our section because we were at an interface and the Catholics would be listening. Walking along with the parade, in addition to the younger teenagers, were community leaders who formerly belonged to the UVF. They are reformed paramilitaries who were walking to ensure peace in their community. I found this to be an enlightening step toward peace in Northern Ireland.
After taking many touristy pictures, our group walked the vast distance back to our dorms, through the city and past a group of Catholics in Celtics jerseys. After stopping at Centra, a convenience store, to buy shampoo and some M&M’s for Mrs. Varnish to put into her popcorn, we finally made it to our dorm. I stayed up late, talking, eating popcorn, and working on homework in the kitchen until it was time to go to bed. After yet another interesting day in Belfast, I am glad to say that I, along with everyone else, am excited to see what is going to happen next!
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