Ah, the Weekend.

I wasn't able to update the other day due to team facials and watching Britain's Got Talent, but now on this beautiful morning I have a wee bit of time.

Saturday, we were taught some street smarts of Belfast by two local sisters. Walking in the cold, pouring ran all day was not the greatest of times, but yet there is just something wonderful about rain. For a moment the rain took a break to relax, and in that time, hood down, I was able to truly take in the smells, sounds, and sights of the town. Noise never seised. The buildings and streets never felt familiar. But the most wonderful was the smell. I love the smell  of fresh rain on the blacktop. Clean, fresh, smooth. It smells like that almost everyday here, one thing I could definitely get use to.
We went to stores, the mall, and the elaborate but aged City Hall. The hustle and bustle of the town was overwhelming at times, because for the first time I was in the minority.

Sunday was a wonderful day. We went to a church that honestly made me feel like I was home. The message and worship were both a familiar experience. How wonderful it was to see that despite where we are in this world, there is still only ONE God. The strangest thing about the service was a guy who spoke on mission teams who were traveling to Africa, Canada, and AMERICA. I never realized that other countries send mission teams to the U.S. It was odd to think that we need God's word spread here just as much as anywhere else.
That afternoon we rode down to the rose gardens yet again, but this time with the intent to explore. We did a little off-roading on those street bikes, but luckily no injuries :) We came upon a playground that was full of wonder and excitement. Children swarmed the place, and I quickly found out why. American playgrounds are leagues behind Ireland's thrilling, magnificent children's utopia. The teeter-totter not only went up and down, but in circles as well...an experience everyone must have. Zip-lines sent children flying, the swings were of something I've never seen. This place was magical. We were tired of waiting to play on all these wonderful creations, when a nice rain welcomed the crazy Americans while shooing off the little Irish children to a dry place. We played in the rain like we were in the South on a warm, wet day with a smile as wide as the ocean blue.
We completed the day by watching our own school's Cathedral Choir perform a concert that could been mistaken as coming from angels. Absolutely breathtaking.

To end this post, I must take the time to brag on my developing Irish gatch. I was mistaken not once, but TWICE as being a local this weekend.
The first time I was in the mall when a women walked up to me and asked for directions to City Hall as she was "not from here." With a huge grin, I informed her with my American accent that I had no idea.
The second time was last night at the concert. A woman about my age asked me where the bathroom was. I told her I had no idea, and she responded with, "Oh sorry, I thought you went to church here."
Yes, I did remember her exact words...it was that exciting :)