Derry & The Giant's Causeway

Hi everyone!

Currently in Derry (my last night here). I'm so exhausted! During the past few days, I've walked around the entire city (viewed from the top of the walls), toured the bogside and learned all about the sad history of "The Troubles" as well as visited the UNESCO World Heritage Site--The Giant's Causeway. The Giant's Causeway was incredibly gorgeous and it was probably the place where I felt the most inspired. Despite warnings that it would be a tourist trap, I went early in the morning to avoid the crowds and ended up just sitting on this tiny, well-worn bench at the very top of the cliffs writing. I of course forgot my notebook (argh) and had to resort to using all the brochures I had stashed in my bag (might as well get some use out of them)! But, I now have the skeletal outlines for a few poems written on my Cliffs of Moher brochure! I have about a half dozen or so poems that I'm currently revising, so once I feel they're somewhat polished and decent, I'll post them. In the meantime, here are a few more photos from the Giant's Causeway as well as an excerpt from Seamus Heaney's poem that discusses Derry (there's a display on "Derry in Verse in the town center).



Here's the link to the photos uploaded on facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2066847&id=2102998&l=4d0b588886

My next stop is Laurel Village(http://www.laurel-villa.com/), a poetry themed B&B in Magherafelt. I'll be taking a guided tour with Eugene to visit "Heaney Country" and his childhood home Mossbawn. I'm really excited! Each room is supposedly decorated in honor of a different Irish poet. I'm hoping for the Michael Longley or Seamus Heaney inspired room.. haha nerdy, I know!

Final thoughts: "...your solitude will be a hold and home for you even amid very unfamiliar conditions and from there you will find all your ways." --Rainer Maria Rilke, Letters to a Young Poet (Worpswede, July 16th, 1903)