The first month in Northern Ireland has been nothing short of incredible! Although there are lots of things I miss about the states (Chic-Fil-A is high on that list), I honestly can say I am already in love with Northern Ireland, as well as the rest of the island too. My home city of Belfast is filled with lots of live music, street art, restaurants and pubs that are always a fun time. I got to experience Belfast Culture Night with friends, which is basically a typical Friday night out in Belfast, but on steroids. There were tons of people, food venders, artwork and live music on every corner. It was a really fun night to experience different parts of the city with good friends.
I’ve also gotten the opportunity to travel to Portrush on the coast, where Mike and I went surfing! This was the first time I have surfed and I have to say I loved it. We rented wetsuits and boards and surfed for a few hours in the Irish Sea. We then got caught in a torrential downpour so we ran back up to the surf shop, changed, and got a warm lunch at a local café before heading back to Belfast on the train. It was such a fun day; I surprised myself by how willing I was to be out of my comfort zone. I could not stop smiling the whole time I was in the water, even when I was falling off my board or my hands were shivering. I think I found a new hobby!
I also took a weekend I had off of basketball to travel to Sligo on the coast, where I visited Zack and Connor. Sligo definitely did not disappoint! I got to experience the night life at the local pubs, as well as a long hike on Sunday with some absolutely stunning views. I soon learned that a lot of hikes here do not have marked trails, so I found myself trudging up the mountain in the grass, water, and mud in my Under Armour sneakers. I was told one too many times by our guide that hiking gear would be a practical investment. (I made it out alive, that’s all that matters.)
So far I have seen some breathtaking views around the island, and it’s only been a month! I’m looking forward to exploring as much as I can while I’m here. Stay tuned for more! Cheers!!!
