September 13, 2012

 BALLYEAMON BARN

I have been here at the Ballyeamon Barn now for 4 days. You may wonder how I got to a hostel in the countryside just near Cushendall and it has been a very busy time.

 BALLYEAMON BARN

About five years ago, while attending the Conference on World Affairs (a wonderful yearly event every April in Boulder) I met Liz Weir and listened to her stories and folk tales. She told us that her home was in County Antrim, and I remembered that my great great great great grandfather emigrated from there to America in 1772. Liz mentioned that she owned a hostel there, and I guess I put this into my brain bank.   I was to have stayed in France for six months and was not able in any way, shape or form to get the visa in time (a big and expensive nightmare). I needed to stay in France until the end of October and had to find somewhere to visit that was not in the Schengen zone, composed of most of the EU countries as well as the Scandinavian countries and Iceland.  The UK became obvious and, after thinking what I should do, I remembered that I always wanted to visit the area where my long ago ancestor, Mathew Kirk, lived.  One thing led to another, and after emailing Liz, I learned that the apartment at her hostel was available in mid September. After another email to Ballymoney Tourist Office, they wrote me that they were hosting a conference on Family History for four days, which amazingly was to take place the same days I wanted to visit there. Of course I signed up!  Lastly, I contacted a woman from my travel club, ATC, in Belfast and learned she would be available to host me the last three days of this possible trip.   OK, I will do it!

You already have read about my arriving here on the famous FLYBE flight.

Sunday evening, after the yoga class, KiKay, the barnman here, cooked a fabulous dinner for us with salmon, potatoes, vegetables, and some wine.  KiKikay (not his real name) is from Argentina, although he has traveled quite a bit and for years did business with a N.Y. firm and lived in New Jersey. He travels to different hostels, working and helping out, and got rid of all of his possessions, so now all that he owns is in one suitcase.

I was so tired Sunday night, and it felt great to crawl into a comfy bed after yoga and a wonderful meal. 
Tuesday was the Anniversary of 9/11 and all over the world, not just in America, people remember that terrible day where we learned that yes, a war could be fought on American soil.  We aren't complacent anymore. May those events never occur again for our country or any other country around the world, although I fear the consequences of unresponsible countries having chemical and nuclear weapons.  Please pray for peace.  My one other request is please do vote in November.  You may think you aren't important and it doesn't matter, but every person needs to make his or her voice heard.

On Monday Liz was to attend an event in Ballycastle and, after stopping at the most helpful Visitor Center with her, she dropped me off at the grocery store, which was a co-op.  The clerk there was most helpful, but still no tofu (he said they used to carry it).  We then picked up a new visitor,  Olegver, from Barcelona, who has been traveling around Ireland.

The evening was most enjoyable.  A young woman who helped out previously at the hostel, was here with her family from Barcelona--her sister, parents and grandmother.  I had mentioned that my son, Jim, has an association with the university there in connection with his work, and Olegver observed that tonight we are the "Barcelona Connection."  Mara and her family invited us to share their dinner, and it was great. Her family is leaving in the morning, and I gave her grandmother a bookmark of Rocky Mountain National Park, which she seemed to very much appreciate.

The Barcelona Connection
 Left: Mara's grandmother, sister, Olegver, me, her Dad and Mom

   
It has been raining ever since I arrived, but on Tuesday the rain and sun shared the weather scene. In the afternoon I went walking with Olegver in the Glenariff Forest Park. We hiked the scenic trail and it was fantastic. A few dripdrops came down, but didn't really create a problem. While we were having a snack, a number of rainbows appeared right in front of us.  The waterfalls were fantastic and the hiking great; we calculated we hiked about 12 k, a lot for me since I hadn't done much hiking at all lately.

Glenariff Forest Park,is the most popular  of the Nine Glens of Antrim and is known as "The Queen of the Glens." It is the largest and most beautiful and was scooped out by ice to form a fine example of a glacial u-shaped valley, bounded by rugged precipices. The hills nearby are a patchwork of hill farms, small fields, hedgerows and traditional stone walls. Fast flowing streams and winding rivers run to meet the sea. Roughly translated, Glenariff means "the arable glen." We hopped over two stiles and walked along the road for about 15 min.as the sheep gazed upon us, wondering what new creatures we were.

The Scenic Trail began with a downhill grade, at the bottom of which were two waterfalls (we saw a number of others along the way).   What did this mean? Of course we had to do a number of uphills, one of which was quite intense (it doesn't help if you haven't hiked in months).  It felt so good to be out, and I tried to drink in the smell to make it last. Paris is actually quite polluted (as are most major cities in the world), and it was wonderful to breathe the cool fresh air. I kept thinking, "This is what I have missed," and that I love hiking very much and have let it slip to the mid place on my  priority list.  Fortunately, I have wonderful opportunities waiting for me in our beautiful state of Colorado and elsewhere.  Near the end of our walk, we arrived at a small bridge and just paused there as for a few moments it had turned warmer; we watched many raptors circling the hill just above us.

 

    "--  In every walk with nature, one receives more than he seeks"  --  John Muir

Kikay told me the day before that he would prepare a French dinner for us, so I had purchased a chicken, mushrooms, etc. at the grocery. It was wonderful when we arrived just after 6 p.m. to have this wonderful dinner waiting for us after walking all day. The food and the company were both great.  Mara and I did the dishes and then off to bed, dreaming of French food and waterfalls.

I am saddened by the killing of our ambassador to Libya and the protests in Libya. We will never have peace in our lifetime; we can only work toward that goal. When the majority of people all around the world make the determination to accomplish peace, perhaps that mindset will be contagious. we must never give up hope, for from hope springs roots which grow and thrive.