Fun in Portstewart

After discussing just “popping by” to see the ocean on Saturday afternoon, all of us realized we were quite unaware of how far the trek would actually be. It must’ve been a sight: ten Americans walking down a long road through the country, stopping every few feet to snap a picture of the landscape. After about an hour, houses began to get more frequent and a Portstewart road sign finally welcomed us to our destination. Let me tell you, it was completely and utterly worth it. The road winded down (San Francisco-esque) and let us to view that made us all gasp. The sun was low in the sky and reflecting off a huge, blue-grey ocean surrounded by rocky cliffs. Portstewart was a quaint little village which wound around on the right side of us, and up on the topmost cliff on our left sat a beautiful convent. “If I were ever going to join a convent, I think I’d pick that one.” I stated. We then decided our human requirements outweighed our desire to play on the beach first, so we all sat down at “Morelli’s” and had the best meal of the trip thus far. I inhaled a roasted red pepper Panini with brie and carmelized onions, and we all sat amused as we watched Justin chow down on a quarter-pounder with cheese.

After the meal, we gave in and did the tourist thing for a while. Iain snapped a photo of me with the ocean behind me, I took one of Alyssa and Jordan, Ben snapped one of the girls with the convent in the background, etc. etc. etc. 435 pictures later…Just kidding. But probably nearly. I don’t feel that guilty-It was honestly one of the prettiest scenes I’ve ever seen in my life.

All in all, after stating “I think I could handle living in Portstewart”, I stepped out into street and nearly died before Iain grabbed my shirt, pulled me back, and hence saved my life from the car speeding down the left side of the road. Okay, so maybe I would need to learn some things before I purchase a house abroad. But just saying.

We decided to make the trek on foot back, rather than take a bus. We haven’t done much walking yet around here, and it felt good to exercise and take in our surroundings despite all of us being violently sore today. Oh well. Crucial sacrifices, people. We arrived back to campus as the stars were starting to come out, and decided we would all meet up at the “F-3” girls’ apartment at 8:00 to make a plan for the evening. Nigel told us he thought Americans are always talking about their “schedule” and stressing out over the daily “schedule.” Thus, we are trying to play everything a little more by ear here. We ended up getting cabs back to Portstewart for the evening, where we all hung out together at “The Anchor” pub. I tried a Guinness, and I have to say I really hated it. Blegh. We stayed for a bit, then eventually decided to come home to the Cranagh Village and gather in the other girls’ apartment. The night ended with a noise violation warning from the RA (I’m not sure that’s what they’re called here, but equivilant to). Ha, ha. I guess 1:00 a.m. Saturday night dance parties in the dorms are out of the question for the future.

It’s snowing again. We’re supposed to be headed on a retreat tomorrow through Wednesday, but Nigel said if the snow keeps up he won’t be able to drive the bus and we might have to stay home. The snow isn’t even sticking to the ground. Heck, I can drive the bus if it’s the weather he’s worried about. He clearly doesn’t understand the kind of place we come from.
YES!! I can add pictures now! These first few are from Portstewart yesterday:






This is the view out of my window:


My kitchen:


My cubby/Bedroom:


Snow in NI?!


Alrighty! I must go. Adios!
-k.g.