heaven on earth

Have I told you yet how beautiful Ireland is and how much I LOVE IT here! :) yesterday we got to do some sight seeing. we went to Giant's Causway.... It is a part of the shoreline that looks man made because of the way all the rocks are, but it is actually a natural phenomenon. (see 2nd to last picture) Irish legend has it that an Irish Giant made it when he wanted to get to Scotland to beat on the Scotish Giant. ;)
Everything is expensive here! we found a starbucks... coffee was atleast 7 bucks. The amarican dollar isn't strong at all compared to the pound! It is kind of fun to me because the Irish around here LOVE Thai food... there is Thai everthing pretty much... I really dig the Thai potato chips!!!
Tonight we are going on a boat ride on the river Foyle with people from the church here... should be a lot of fun!!!
Today we helped throw a birthday part for the son of the people were staying with... he turned 5. besides a drive by egging the party went really well.
North Ireland is preparing for July 12th...July 12th is a big "holiday" here. It is about the battle of the Orange and the Orange Order.. the Orange order is Northern Ireland's largest Protestant organizations. Its origins lie in the 1690 Battle of the Boyne when the Dutch Protestant King William of Orange defeated his father-in-law, Catholic King James ll of England and Vll of Scotland. The protestants have been preparing for weeks for this day by collecting wood and couches to build huge piles all over town for bonfires(it is quite the sight to see)... there are also parades on this day... it is pretty much a day when the protestants go around and rub something from the past in the face of the catholics. It is a day when people like us go into hiding to stay away from potential riots. Not to worry because things have been fairly quiet for years now...
Well - Things continue to go very well and although I am absolutely loving it here... I am definately looking forward to returning home.... Till next time, i will of course be drinking tea and eatin' biscuts (cookies) :)