Day 4 - 6/25/2016

In front of the Croi at Corrymeela

End of Giant's Causeway

Giant's Causeway

Giant's Causeway

Coast near Giant's Causeway

  

Hike up from Giant's Causeway

Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge  

Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge  

Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge

Link to all of photos, day 4

We had to wake up at 8:30 am.  This morning was really a culmination of learning about living in community.  Specifically, we spent this morning at Corrymeela doing outdoor activities such as tending and harvesting Corrymeela's garden and learning about stewardship of the local environment.  Indoor activities included more learning about ourselves as individuals as members of a community (we made personal maps, and discussed preconceptions).  After several days here, we are clearly no longer just abstractly learning about, but are actually experiencing living in, community.

This transition from the abstract to the concrete - or shall we say from the abstract to the basalt - was then reflected in a day trip to the Giant's Causeway, a 60-million-year-old geological wonder of 40,000 basalt columns, which was lovely.

From there we then went to the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, which at first struck some of us as strangely lacking in rope (maybe 10% rope, the other ~90% being wood slates and metal chains). However, we then realized that the original rope bridge, installed by fisherman 250-300 years ago to help them get out to the far island to catch migrating salmon, has since been replaced by the current Rope Bridge (see photos).

We came to home to a lovely meal of peas, fried potatoes, and chicken for the omnivores, and vegetable kebabs for the herbivores.  We had a service in the Croi again (see day 3), which then continued on the beach with team-building games.  Our last worship session in Corrymeela was pleasant after a long day of walking, with a little bit of cheesy music, and heartfelt words.  We rounded out the day with a bonfire, s'mores, and then the usual Corrymeela hot chocolate and toast before bed.

    - Lilly and other pilgrims

=================================================

Addendum:  
As part of tonight's worship the leader asked our group to think about what makes each of us happy. Here are some of the responses: A warm fire on a cold night. A long flight. The soccer pitch. Indian delight. Laughter of children. Breaking an awkward silence. Chuck. Ice cream. Getting out of a really cold ocean. Getting into warm clothes. Books. Eight hours of sleep. Forming new friendships. Experiencing new things. Adventure. Any achievement interaction that makes me feel loved of appreciated. Video games. Our church. Puerto Rico...