4/13 update from Chris, Danielle, and Emily.....

(Chris typing....)

"Hey Dad!

I am updating from a delightful couple's home in Cookstown, NI. I just showed Gordon the site, and he was thrilled! The concert tonight went extremely well, although many of our voices have had it. We will nurse them back to existence with some tea (which is abundent over here).

Yesterday in Belfast, on the tour, we stopped at Clonard Monastery (see the picture below), a very famous Catholic monastery with a priest, Gerry Reynolds, who was instrumental in peace-keeping during The Troubles. The monastery itself was magnificent, but I remember as I was walking into the monastery with group (which was following Father Reynolds), Dr. Portice whispered in my ear, "Now this man could tell you some stories." Rev. Portice saying that showed me how incredible this man must be.

Also, when we sang "Surely the Presence" for him in front of the monastery, he told us how the first time he heard that song was while he was on a mission at a prison for terrorists during The Troubles. The prisoners were singing it.

Danielle and Emily have an update I'll type up:

"Well, we woke up to our wonderful sunny view that overlooks the marvelous blue sea. Danielle went in to Kaitlyn's room while Alicia was in the shower and were lying in bed when it hit us. It was Alicia's birthday! So we toilet-papered their room and made a sign for her. It was lovely! After waking up, we got on the bus and drove 1 1/2 hours to Belfast, which doesn't seem quite as long when you're looking at beautiful scenery. We took a tour of the city. After the tour, we got to go off in groups to eat and shop in Belfast. Our group split up and when it was almost time to meet at the bus, we decided that we were lost! Oh, but we found the bus! When we got on the bus Mike showed us the sweet new clothes he bought! We were all mightily jealous! :)

We then went to the church where we were going to sing that night. Before the concert, the group played Ultimate Frisbee while Emily and I swung on the swings. Then, we sprinted to the nearest supplyer of wonderful freeze-pops so we could stuff our faces and get brain-freezes!

Then began our concert. It was an even better concert than the night before! Yes, yes, it was a grand old time! After the concert, we mingled and started our bus ride back to Corrymeela. On the bus, some people slept, but NO we did not! We listened to iPods and danced like crazy, crazy fools. It was a good time.

When we got back to Corrymeela, we had a huge bonfire and enjoyed the wonderful smoke getting blown in our faces while singing at the top of our lungs. Let us tell you, it was a time! Then ---> BED!" -

Danielle and Emily


(back to Chris typing....)

"So yes, it was an awesome day in Belfast. Since, I am not sure of the internet availability we will have for the next few days, I will sum up today's events.

"We started our day by packing our bags and cleaning things up around Corrymeela. It was a very sad morning for all of us with the prospect of leaving such an amazing place. David, of Belfast, Christian, of El Salvador, and Niki, of Winnipeg, all were incredible people. They were nothing but nice for our entire stay. We shared all of our reflections in a circle where a few tears were shed. When we finally departed, we took our bus out to Dunluce Castle, which was farther west on the Antrim coast. There were ruins of a castle that had thrived for hundreds of years, with a lot of bloodshed surrounding it. We had an awesome tour guide who told us all the dirty secrets, and we were treated to some breath-taking views of the sea. We were surprised to hear that the last people to live in it had their entire kitchen, including 20 chefs and waiters, fall into the sea during a dinner party. Crazy stuff! We got back on the bus, and found out the bus's cargo door had come open on the trip, and Chris Griffin and Andrea Hebner's suitcases had fallen out on the side of the road. They were at the local police station, and there was not much harm done...Phew!

We finally made it to Derryloran Parish Church in Cookstown, N.I. in the early evening, and we rehearsed for a bit. We were all treated to an incredible meal of Irish Stew with dessert and tea afterwards by some of the women of the congregation. What we have found is the unbelievable hospitality of the Irish!

After meriting a standing-ovation at the concert, we found our host families and we driven to our homes for the night. Harper, Erik, Mike, and I are staying with a lovely couple who so graciously allowed me to update the blog on their PC! So now I must retire, after a supper of tea and chips (fries).

Thank you to everyone following us!"

-Chris Smith