What Did We Think?
Every few days or so, our leaders asked us to write reflections about the places we had visited and the people we had met and we would hand them in.
Ms. P was very creative and decided to compile them all into one story for us to always be able to read and for our parents to get a glimpse at what we experienced while we were away.
Being able to read this now months after the trip, reminds me of all of the good times we shared as a delegation and my family and friends really enjoyed reading it too.
Western Suffolk
Celtic Discovery 2005
Compiled by Emelia Peterson, Primary Delegation Leader
Celtic Discovery 2005
Compiled by Emelia Peterson, Primary Delegation Leader
We settled into our seats on Flight 904 from New York-Kennedy Airport to London–Heathrow without a hitch. The flight attendants complimented our manners and respectfulness. Although Wylie watched three movies during our flight and didn’t sleep at all, the rest of us only watched one or two movies and slept or ate the remainder of the time.
Upon arriving in London and meeting our delegation manager, Aisling, we boarded the coach for Hampton Court Palace, the beautiful and historic home of King Henry VIII. Laura F., Dana and Vicky felt that the palace gardens was one of the cleanest and most beautiful sights we had seen so far during our short time in London. The tall mushroom trees that surround the gardens were not only captivating, but each had its own uniqueness and beauty. The living maze was the coolest part of the palace’s magnificent gardens. Although some of us never made it to the middle, and some of us had trouble getting out, we had a lot of laughs. Some felt the maze was a little spooky because you could hear voices quoting people from the Shakespearean era as you attempted to navigate toward the middle. Some say a ghost named “Wylie” would put his hands through the hedges and grab you if you didn’t move fast enough! Gabrielle enjoyed learning about how Henry VIII’s fifth wife, Catherine Howard is said to re-enact her flight along the haunted corridor to the chapel. It seems that this psychic impression is a reenactment of a particularly traumatic event, described as an echo in time. In Catherine’s case this would be her reaction to hearing the news of her sentence of death by beheading, for committing acts of high treason against the king. (In other words, having affairs with younger men and getting caught!). Apparently, she is still running through the gallery and corridors pleading and screaming for her life to be spared. Many of the ghosts seen at Hampton Court are thought to be those of Henry, his wives and others connected to him. One explanation of the haunting is related to the fact that Henry focused all of his love, hate, rage and fears on the great halls of the palace and the people surrounding it.
In general, Ken was surprised to see how quickly London had recovered from the terrorist attacks and come back to life. He enjoyed its’ great mix of historical and present day sites of interest and Laura W. thought it was a lot like New York City. Rory thought it was cleaner, yet Gillian thought it had its own uniqueness. Although we observed that both have their share of crazy people and street performers, most people were polite and friendly everywhere we went. Rory and Wylie liked using the different currency and were thrilled when they bought 3 ft. bottles of water for 75 pence; yet most other items were relatively expensive.
It’s cool to think that when it comes to people, we are all very much alike. Nessa liked how the Brit’s used different words to identify everyday items. For instance, we use the word bathroom, the Brit’s say toilet. We order take-out food, the Brit’s order take-away. Amanda noticed that the cars and roads were really small and thought that Londoners were better drivers than New Yorkers. Christina liked the beautiful parks and hanging baskets of flowers displayed throughout the cities of London and Wesminster. We learned that out of the 120 parks in England, Green Garden is the only one without flowers. It is believed that one of the Queens saw her husband picking flowers for his mistress so she had all of the flowers removed.
Elizabeth was impressed with meeting the former member of Parliament and learning about the respective roles of the House of Commons, the House of Lords and the Monarch. We also visited St. Paul’s Cathedral. Gabrielle was amazed by the architecture of St. Paul’s Cathedral and the history behind it. We learned that if you were in the top of the tower dome and whispered into the walls, everyone in the dome would be able to hear you regardless of where you stood. Later that day, we visited the Tower of London and learned a bit of history pertaining to WWI and how London protected itself during the war. We also viewed the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London and Stephaine felt that they were the most beautiful things she had ever seen. While on the tower grounds, we listened to the Yeoman Warders, also known as the “Beefeaters” who guard the Tower and care for the mysterious ravens. Legend has it that if the ravens ever leave the Tower-the Kingdom will fall. While at the Tower, Caitlyn S. realized we acquired 4 princesses, formerly known as Danielle, Nessa, Kim and Caity R. This strange bunch entertained locals on the London River cruise as well. In the evening, we had a chance to experience London’s well-known theatre scene by attending a performance of Mel Brook’s, “The Producers”. Although the seats were tight and few had legroom, Laura F., Gabrielle and Andrew F. thought the show was really funny.
Day four was the first time we were affected by local events. We were scheduled to ride “The Tube”, London’s underground rail system to see the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace. However, in light of the recent terrorist bombings, leaders requested a change in transportation. Thinking our coach was on its way, we sent Ms. Rogak, Veronica K., Briana and Marissa ahead because our replacement bus couldn’t accommodate the entire delegation. Although, they had a great time with the Indiana middle school delegation, crossing the Wibbily, Wobbily Bridge and re-experiencing the previous day’s tour, the remainder of the delegation needed a new plan when our coach never arrived. At a moments notice, we hopped on the DLR and students learned first hand about rushing to wait. The leaders were extremely impressed with the student’s cooperation and flexibility. This change in plans gave Gillian and Keith time to perfect their British accents, while others just relaxed and enjoyed each others company while waiting for the ferry.
Although we never did get to see the changing of the guards, we enjoyed lunch in the park and visited the British museum, which holds in trust for the nation and the world a collection of art and antiquities from ancient and living cultures. Housed in one of Britain's architectural landmarks, the collection is one of the finest in existence, spanning two million years of human history. The British Museum was founded in 1753 to promote universal understanding through the arts, natural history and science. We then spent the afternoon experiencing London in action. Gabrielle especially liked the taxicabs because they reminded her of the cars you see in old movies. Kim liked the double-decker buses. Caitlin F. thought the red mailboxes were cool while some never even noticed them. She also liked seeing familiar stores and restaurants and thought it was cool that they were available globally. Danielle was thrilled to be spending time with her new friends, while Rebecca thought it was neat to have met students from other delegations and other states. We all enjoyed speaking with the locals and found that more students were acquiring British accents as the days passed! Maggie especially enjoyed conversing with the Brits and learning how life in England was different than life in America. Every one is having a great time, meeting new people and experiencing new cultures.
In the afternoon, we visited Covent Gardens where residents and entertainers filled the streets and Piazza. We saw our share of human statues, mimes, magicians and other street performers. Caity R. thought the human statues were the best, especially the bride, and the punk in a Mohawk and kilt. Veronica P. loved listening to the musicians and browsing through the unique clothing in the shops. Jennifer loved the distinctive jewelry as well. Everything seemed to be quite expensive no matter where we went in London. Andrew D. bought a watch and paid way too much, while Stephaine, John, Maggie, Marissa and Veronica K. spent their time taking crazy photos in one of the big red phone booths. Interestingly, no one made a call! Andrew D. had his first frappuccino while Nick amused himself setting off store alarms with his cell phone. Marissa was thrilled to experience the Internet café, as were others. Jackie also enjoyed perusing the local shops while Carl enjoyed spending pounds knowing that tax was included in the price. Maggie made use of her time cooling off by putting her feet in the fountain in Trafalgar Square.
Later in the evening, we took a ride on the London Eye. Andrew D. loved his ride on the largest Ferris wheel in the world that was built for the millennium celebration. This 443 ft. high ride provided a fantastic panoramic view of the city and enjoyment for all. With excitement at an all time high, and after driving in circles for an hour, the coach driver informed us that he had no clue how to get us back to our hotel. Although Carl thought there were a lot of street signs and no one should get lost or confused in London, we roamed the city making phone calls until we eventually spotted another People to People coach and followed them to our destination. At this point in the program, we were amazed at how well we were all getting to know each other and are able to identify who can play a mean game of Texas hold ’em and who cheats!
We spent the next few days in Caer Llan, Wales. While there, we explored Cardiff Castle, a remarkable structure whose history spans 2000 years. In the 12th century, Norman invaders built this castle keep (the main tower and stronghold of a castle) within the ruins of a Roman fort. Climbing to the top of the keep offered a breathtaking view of the city of Cardiff. In the 1860’s the third Marquess of Bute, who was reputed to be the richest man in the world, owned the castle. We toured the main house, rich in medieval images and details, most of which was designed in the 19th century. Gabrielle like how each room had a theme and was intricately designed. Vicky liked how the rooms were decorated in gold. We also visited the Museum of Welsh Life, near Cardiff and experienced “Wales in a day” as we wandered through time from an authentically reconstructed Celtic Village to a 1980’s miner’s cottage. Caitlin F. enjoyed looking at the clothing worn by the Welsh people over the last 2000 years, while others enjoyed the spectacular weather and strolled from one outdoor exhibit to another.
While in Wales, we stayed at the Caer Llan Study Centre. Ken was impressed with the owner’s sincerity and hospitality. Laura F. admired the Gothic and Renaissance architecture and the use of bright colors in the rooms. Maggie thought it was cool that we were the only guests staying on the grounds and that this was where everyone bonded as a group. Marissa enjoyed playing Rugby with everyone and hunting for clues during the team building games as did Veronica K. Some enjoyed having races in the pool, some played hardcore football, while others just absorbed the beauty that surrounded us. We were all in awe of the grounds and the amazing view. Its serenity was heartwarming. John felt that Caer Llan had an exceptional sense of beauty, peace and tranquility that we had not experienced thus far. During our last evening in Caer Llan, a local rock band, “The Lovely Jubilees” entertained us. Gillian, Dana and Julie enjoyed dancing and singing, as did most. Rory enjoyed entertaining us on the piano, as did Gabrielle, however, Rory says he most enjoyed how many other delegates showcased their talents and entertained the group.
The following day, we traveled along the Pembrokeshire Coast Path to Fishguard, and caught the ferry across the Irish Sea to the land of saints and scholars--Ireland! One of the first places we visited in Ireland was Waterford. World Renowned for its crystal, we observed all of the stages of the crystal-manufacturing process including the highly skilled crafts of glass blowing and engraving. Jackie was impressed by how extravagant some of the crystal pieces were and how long some of the projects took to complete. Mr. Governale arrived back to the bus later than requested, however, after his family receives their gifts they may find time to pacify him and view his video! Later in the day we arrived in Cork where we had an orientation/workshop that gave us insight into the history and culture of the people of Ireland.
In the evening, we arrived in the colorful prize-winning village of Sneem, where Irish storyteller Batt Burns welcomed us to the village and introduced us to our guesthouse hosts. Amanda and Gabrielle loved exploring this quaint little village of old-fashioned brightly colored homes. Jennifer was enthralled with its beauty and history and entwined in its comforting aura. Amanda and numerous others were excited to have purchased the UK version of the new book, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. Kim and Carl liked staying in the bed and breakfast accommodations better than hotel rooms.
We visited the village school and enjoyed Mr. Burns’ presentation entitled “Whisperings of Ireland” where he described his younger days absorbed in the tales and folklore of his storytelling grandfather. Wylie was particularly captivated by one of the stories and felt as if he were actually part of it. During the presentation, our very own Rory received a prize for being the first of 500 students to have visited Sneem and correctly identify the concertina, a small hexagonal accordion with bellows and buttons for keys. Mrs. Burns played Irish music on the concertina and shared her stories of past and present as well. The Burns’ shared many fascinating tales, poetry of the area, and taught the group some basic Gaelic phrases as well.
In the morning, we traversed through the countryside surrounding the lakes of Killarney in a horse-drawn jaunty car. Carved by glaciers, this area offered fabulous views of the boulder-strewn gorge. At the bottom of the gorge, we enjoyed a breathtaking boat cruise across one of the tranquil lakes. Later we arrived at the community center and meet our new Irish families. Wylie enjoyed seeing how people lived in Ireland and also met students from Spain and France. Vicky was surprised to learn that Irish families are very much like American families—they eat dinner at 6, listen to Green Day, watch television after work and Mom’s usually take care of the kids, cook and do chores. Laura W. enjoyed learning new Gaelic phrases and playing Irish games. Rory especially enjoyed visiting Ballyhoura Failte where he learned some history of the area, did some hiking, and admired the lush pastureland, wild countryside and the area surrounding the Ballyhoura Mountains.
On the following day, we took an archaeological walk of discovery to the ancient Lough Gur. By 3,000 BC the first farmers at Lough Gur had built their stone houses and planted crops. The lake gradually dominated their lives and became sacred as countless objects were thrown into the lake as offerings to the gods. We also walked to a sanctified stone circle where we learned many of the legends associated with the area. Later in the afternoon, we learned about traditional Irish games by viewing a demonstration of the Gaelic sport of Hurling and playing Gaelic Football. Later that evening, Andrew D., Briana, John, Caitlyn F. and Nessa enjoyed watching a live hurling match with their home stay families later that evening and Andrew was surprised to see how aggressive the game really is. While at the home stay, Ms. Rogak had fun on the trampoline and even got the other leaders to join in the fun. Ms. Bernstein was happy to finally be able to eat a meal that she is not allergic to!
While in County Cork, we also learned to play an Irish tune on the tin whistle and the intricacies of Irish dancing. We then went on to discover the legends of Blarney Castle, one of Ireland’s most famous buildings. Although little remains of the Blarney Castle except the castle keep, built in 1446, we climbed 127 steps to pucker up and take part in the long standing tradition of smooching the Blarney stone, which is said to bestow the magical eloquence for which the Irish are renowned. Although the hike up the Castle was a little scary, Andrew F. loved the amazing view of the grounds from the top! Upon returning to our host families, we enjoyed the company of our new friends and put our Irish dancing skills to use at a traditional open air “Cross Roads Dance” and BBQ in a nearby village. Caitlyn S. thought the competition was awesome and especially enjoyed watching everyone fumbling with the steps we had only learned in the morning. Although Caity R. enjoyed Irish dancing, she feels she is much better at American dance. Gillian and John, Marissa and Andrew F., and Keith and Stephaine were recognized for their special dance talents in the competition.
Upon bidding goodbye to our home stay families, most of us were saddened to have to say good-bye. Many expressed how they were treated as one of the family. We journeyed on to Lisdoonvarna with a stop en-route in Limerick, a vibrant city alongside a rural and green environment. Limerick city has a colorful and fascinating history and its castle, ancient walls and museums are a testament to its past. Here we enjoyed free time and shopping before going on to County Clare. In the region known as The Burren, a great rocky expanse in Ireland's County Clare, we hiked along in one of the world's truly unique places. Its ancient, awe-inspiring stone structures hold secrets from the past that may never be unraveled. With its vast limestone plateau, it is described as a lunar-type landscape that provides a unique botanical environment in which Mediterranean and Alpine plants, rare to Ireland, grow side by side. Jackie thought the Burren was breathtaking and enjoyed hiking the stone mountains and viewing the luscious green fields. Today we also explored the limestone caves of Ailwee and viewed the majestic Cliffs of Moher. The cliffs rise 700ft above the Atlantic Ocean and boast views of Galway Bay and the Aran Islands beyond. Ken was fascinated by the minor differences in culture throughout the UK.
Andrew D. and Julie F. could not believe the immensity of the caves. Laura F. thought the stalactites and stalagmites were both really beautiful and Andrew was in awe of the complexity of these calcite formations. Christina and Kim liked the constant 40°F temperature. Christina especially liked the feel of the cool stone, while Kim liked the eeriness and the darkness. Elizabeth and Wylie were amazed when the guide shut off all of the lighting there was no trace of light anywhere in the cave. Danielle was impressed that the caves have been there so long--unscathed. This evening we stayed in the IMI Residence in Dublin. Michael, Carl and Veronica K. enjoyed the luxuriousness of the hotel the huge lounge area. Many enjoyed watching the movie, Sleepy Hollow as a group in the lounge. Veronica K. and Veronica P. liked having our own “group-made” movie theater especially because the really like Johnny Depp!
Today, we explored Ireland’s capital city of Dublin. Steeped in culture, tradition and history, Dublin is renowned for its magnificent Georgian buildings while at the same time earning a cosmopolitan review. We saw famous landmarks, such as St. Patrick Cathedral, Phoenix Park, Trinity College and statue-lined O’Connell Street. We took part in the Dublin Challenge that brought us face to face with the real Dublin in one of the oldest parts of the city. Stephaine, Maggie, Andrew F. and Briana won the challenge by being fortunate enough to get all of the answers to the puzzle in one place! Andrew F enjoyed the sales in the many shops we visited while in Dublin. Nessa loved exploring the city and speaking with the people. Later, we boarded the ferry and were transported back to Wales. While in Wales, we noticed the distinct Welsh language. In some areas, it is still the primary language of conversation, however some road signs were in both English and Welsh!
Wales is known for its “granite ring” of majestic fortresses, and today included a visit to one of the most famous: Conwy Castle. Built by Edward I, Conwy castle dominates the town, which has remarkably well-preserved medieval walls surrounding it. Later, we visited the Craflwyn Environmental Education Center and took part in two major environmental projects designed to restore this Victorian estate to its original beauty. The delegation worked relentlessly cutting down and burning rhododendron trees that were overtaking other vegetation in the park. Dana and Jenn were surprised at how many rhododendrons our group cut down and burned in this community service project. Laura W. felt like this was the first time we really worked as a team. After some delegates cut down the large rhododendron branches, others cut the branches into smaller, more manageable pieces, while others worked to build and feed the fire. Although Vicky didn’t like using the saw, she thought the entire experience was a lot of fun, as did John and Keith.
Caity R. also thought that this activity was a great team building exercise, even though she was on the Oddball team with the failed fire. Caitlyn S. enjoyed cutting the plants and burning them to a crisp on the winning Pyromaniac team, influenced by Ms. P’s experiences as a Boy Scout Leader. Gabrielle and Amanda felt that no one really minded the hard work and we were all very happy with our accomplishments at the end of the activity. John enjoyed contributing his part to preserving the habitat and was amazed to learn that there were still over 1000 trees that still needed to be removed. Rory felt that being able to provide community service in a foreign country was not only gratifying, but also a true opportunity. On the bus trip back to our rooms at the University of Bangor Wales, we learned other interesting facts about Wales, including the origins of the Welsh flag and the dragon and even attempted to learn a few Welsh words during a Cymraeg (Welsh) lesson. Most of us will be sticking with English!
Today was all about challenge, excitement and energy! We enjoyed a day full of adventure and personal growth through interactive and challenging workshops led by the “Full On” team. We had the opportunity to learn leadership skills, set personal goals, and step outside of our comfort zones. Then, we conquered FEAR by abseiling 70 feet off a tower wall at Penrhyn Castle! Kim, Heather, Andrew F. and Maggie, were thrilled that they were able to step out of their comfort zones and learn about themselves in the process. Many expressed that sharing their feelings and personal experiences was more challenging than rappelling. Through the lesson on Walt Disney’s, “I dream, I test my dreams against my beliefs, I dare to take risks, and I execute my vision to make those dreams come true", Wylie realized that he should take risks in life because whether he wins or fails, he can take comfort in knowing he tried. Briana learned not to let fear stop her from doing something she may never have the opportunity to do again. Keith, Julie F. and Rebecca felt that it was amazing that through cooperation, we were able to build up trust in each other and gain an entirely new outlook on life. Rebecca and Gillian were impressed by how we were able to face our fears, learn how to control it and accomplish the goal of rappelling down the castle. Jackie, Ken and Vicky both loved the spectacular view from the top of the castle despite the fear they initially felt leaning off the edge, while Laura W. enjoyed looking at the people below that resembled ants. Marissa was grateful for the group’s encouragement and support of each other. Everyone who rappelled felt that it was absolutely exhilarating, proud of his or her accomplishment and happy that they participated in this opportunity that may never come again. In the evening we were free to reflect upon the day’s activities and our own personal achievements.
En route to the city of Birmingham, England, we stopped to explore the city of Chester, first settled by the Romans in 79 AD. The medieval walls and ornate timber buildings, known as the Chester Rows, represent medieval high-rise stores. Here the Roman Centurions guide told us tales of Chester’s eventful history. Rory found the city of Chester quite interesting. The buildings have an almost Renaissance appearance, however, upon entering them, they are distinctly present day, housing a Gap or French Connection franchise. Caitlin F. thought it interesting that the gladiators used to wash themselves and jar their sweat and dirt to sell to their fans as perfume. Ugh! Wylie was impressed with the armour that all Roman soldiers wore as citizens.
On the following day, we took a step back to the Middle Ages and explored the most magnificent, medieval castle in Warwick. In 1068, William the Conqueror fortified this site, which overlooks the river Avon. We explored the dark and gloomy dungeon, gruesome torture chamber and splendid armory. On the other hand, the Royal Weekend exhibit offered a glimpse of how refined members of Victorian High Society spent their leisure time. Ryan and Ashley F. were enthralled with the over 1000-year history of the castle and how it took over 300 years to complete. Andrew D. thought the castle was amazing and really enjoyed the ghost tower. Marissa loved the view from the top of the castle. Marissa, John and Marc were fascinated by the world’s largest trebuchet, a medieval catapult for hurling heavy stones. Stephaine felt the best part of the castle was the sword exhibit. After lunch, we went on to Stratford-upon-Avon, perhaps one of the most recognized towns in England because it is the birthplace of one of the world’s most celebrated playwrights, William Shakespeare. Visiting his house revealed a great deal of what Shakespeare’s life was like. In the evening we packed up our suitcases for the last time in preparation for our return to the States.
bravenet.com