Ireland: Day 9
Day 9 was quite an adventure for us Young Ambassadors over here in the Emerald Isle. It started with a trip to Stormont that national capitol of Northern Ireland in Belfast, continued with a tour of West Belfast and the struggles between Unionists and Nationalists throughout the late 20th century and ended with some laugh therapy...trust me...you won't want to miss this one!
The Young Ambassadors had the great privilege of presenting Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness with a Wisconsin Blue Book, the reference book for Wisconsin government.
We then found our way into the building and took a tour of the old Senate chambers, the Great Hall and the Assembly chambers. The Assembly was actually sitting in session so we had the opportunity to go in the "Strangers Gallery" to watch. Unfortunately, we couldn't take any pictures but we did get to hear the MLA's debate "college discounts for older people"...such politically correct terminology!
As we were leaving, MLA Basil McCrea form the Ulster Unionnist Party happened to come across us just as we were leaving. He ended up taking us on a behind the scenes tour of Stormont to see the media room, members lounge, members dining room, front balcony, BBC Office and radio & print offices. Lastly, we ate with him at the cafeteria in the basement. 
We then continued on a trip with our tour guide Phillip to see the remnants of the conflicts between Catholics/Nationalists and Protestants/Loyalsts, as well as the efforts for peace that have made international headlines in recent decades.
We then spent about an hour in Belfast getting dinner, shopping and checking out the city. Bobby and I will be heading back up to Stormont tomorrow to work with some of the MLA staff in the capitol.
After leaving Belfast, the group took a bus to visit ole' Stanley's house. At Dr. Stan's house we were introduced to laughter therapy and a bongo drum session....it certainly was an experience. We drove out into the middle of an old RAF field and we're lost (hence the picture below)...thankfully Dr. Campbell came by with Gail, Graham and Kate to rescue us and find Stan's home. We learned about the "craic" from Stanley and watched Jim do some classy moves with the laugh therapy. We also played a session of bongo drums with Dr. Campbell leading us on the large free standing bongos.
Hope you had a great day and a better tomorrow,
- Kyle
The Young Ambassadors had the great privilege of presenting Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness with a Wisconsin Blue Book, the reference book for Wisconsin government.
We then found our way into the building and took a tour of the old Senate chambers, the Great Hall and the Assembly chambers. The Assembly was actually sitting in session so we had the opportunity to go in the "Strangers Gallery" to watch. Unfortunately, we couldn't take any pictures but we did get to hear the MLA's debate "college discounts for older people"...such politically correct terminology!
As we were leaving, MLA Basil McCrea form the Ulster Unionnist Party happened to come across us just as we were leaving. He ended up taking us on a behind the scenes tour of Stormont to see the media room, members lounge, members dining room, front balcony, BBC Office and radio & print offices. Lastly, we ate with him at the cafeteria in the basement. 
We then continued on a trip with our tour guide Phillip to see the remnants of the conflicts between Catholics/Nationalists and Protestants/Loyalsts, as well as the efforts for peace that have made international headlines in recent decades.
We then spent about an hour in Belfast getting dinner, shopping and checking out the city. Bobby and I will be heading back up to Stormont tomorrow to work with some of the MLA staff in the capitol.
After leaving Belfast, the group took a bus to visit ole' Stanley's house. At Dr. Stan's house we were introduced to laughter therapy and a bongo drum session....it certainly was an experience. We drove out into the middle of an old RAF field and we're lost (hence the picture below)...thankfully Dr. Campbell came by with Gail, Graham and Kate to rescue us and find Stan's home. We learned about the "craic" from Stanley and watched Jim do some classy moves with the laugh therapy. We also played a session of bongo drums with Dr. Campbell leading us on the large free standing bongos.
Hope you had a great day and a better tomorrow,
- Kyle
posted by Kyle T. O'Brien @ 2:38 PM
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