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UPD ‘08 - One Week In…

Its been a crazy week. Only now have I really got time to sit down and write about what has been going on because the 5.30am wake ups have been seriously kicking my ass. But kicking it in a good way…

As always, find all the photos from the trip here.

On Tuesday the group carried out the first of its Service Days which are basically public service to give something back to less fortunate communities. The first port of call was the Ministry of Caring Day Care centre on Jackson Street in Wilmington. This essentially started out as a day care centre for children from working-poor and homeless families and serves a rather large African American community. Our task was to basically organise the kids and then supervise them during play time, which was a great experience. A lot of these children have never met anyone from outside their suburbs so it is great to see them light up with interest when they realise you are from a completely different country. The morning spent with them was a really nice experience but it also served to show how certain elements of communities can get it hard sometimes and how we really have the ability to put in a little effort to reap massive rewards.

Later that day, we visited the homes of two religious groups in Wilmington. First we went to the Quaker Meeting House. Quakers refer to themselves as a Religious Society of Friends and while being a Christian organisation, they operate away from creeds and a hierarchial structure. Again, echoing my apathy at religion, it could be understood if I had not really cared for this but I think that if I was to begin on a quest of religious discovery I would be starting here. Its been a long time since I have came across a religious group who seem to operate in such a liberating way. Services are completely unstructured, there is no priest, no expectations. You are merely expected to live your own live in a simple and good way, to be charitable and interpret scriptures for yourself. I don’t know what you might think, but that kicks the ass out of any church any day…

After the Quaker house, we visited the local Muslim centre to be spoken to about Islam. This was a weird experience. Initially, as they spoke to us, I couldn’t help thinking that Islam was merely a re-hash of Christianity with different dieties and a new book. This is quite a bold statement though, so take it as simply a personal observation. When question time came around, the inevitable questions cropped up regarding the Islamic Militants operating across the world and how they are able to justify their actions via Islam. Well, this sparked some uncomfortable answers. While the man answering the questions did appear to be revoking their actions, he also appeared to make some comments that didn’t sit to well with me. This aside, the provided us with a plethora of fresh fruit and an interesting insight into their religion and the pilgrimmage that can accompany it.

That night we attended the local baseball team’s match against Lynchbourgh. They got beat 4-1 but it was fun to watch and we got crazy big fireworks at the end for 4th July. Baseball is a lot like cricket - you either love it or you hate it - but they do have a lot of between-innings randomness which makes for a laugh. Theirs nothing quite like watching a chicken and a moose dance to funk music on top of a dugout.

On Wednesday, we took our first proper group bus Journey to the wonderful city of Philidelphia. Our first stop of the day was Independance hall to see where the Declaration of Independance had been signed and where the basis of the American Political System was developed. I am not hugely into history or politics but it was a very interesting experience to be present in the same building that housed such a massive turning point in the history of the world. The building is excellently restored and, in places, preserved from what it was in the past.

After a quick lunch we visitied the Franklin Institute which is a great Science Museum in the heart of the city that houses some fantastic exhibitions, a planetarium and an IMAX. The exhibitions that jumped out at me most were a Giant Walk in heart, which was totally surreal, and a large room full of exhibits depicting the rise of electronics and their place in the world today. Apologies for lack of photos from here, like usual I had a retarded moment and forgot my flash.

After Franklin, we made a quick stop on the steps of the Philidephia Museum of Art, which as you all should know, is the location of the infamous Rocky Steps. After many macho sprints up the steps and jumping around with arms in the air crying ADRIAAAAANNNNN, I think it was out of our systems.

Our trip to Philly concluded with a wander down the infamous South Street area. This is a small, rather bohemian area of south Philly that shot to fame and popularity with its vibrant music and club scene in the 1970’s. In more recent years it sees a lot of tourism though and as such, has lost a lot of its atmosphere and appeal. This being said, it is still a great hive of activity and is popular amoung people of my age. I found an amazing record shop called Repo Records that had a great vinyl collection so I was in my element and came away with a few gems.

It was here that a fellow American Leader introduced me to her boyfriend, John Pacer. I think you should all check out his website, he is a great artist with a etheral and unique style. Find it here.

The following day was Thursday apparently. By this stage I was pretty spaced as I hadn’t stopped for three days and they had all melted into one. The group travelled to Cape Henlopen state park which is a nature park right on the ocean with immaculate beaches. Personally, like many pasty white Irish people, I HATE the beach. I simply rented a parasol and hid underneath it. With sand everywhere and suncream slapped on, I passed the time sleeping and listening to the new Sigur Ros album (which by the way is immense).

After the beach, we drove a little further to Rehobeth Beach and its Boardwalk. This is a thriving little beach town that attracts people from all over the USA in summer. The boardwalk is the oldest still existing on the East Coast and it is home to many little shops and eaterys. Time here was spent enjoying the views, atmosphere, pizza and ice cream which is pretty awesome if you ask me. I think it must have a lot to do with the first time I was in rehobeth 7 years ago but it will always be one of those places that perks me up and improves my spirits.

Due to the 4th of July holiday, this stop ended the week for the group as we all went off to our respective families to spent a few days relaxing. Last night, I watched some fireworks and went to a house party with my buddy Neil. Hardly the most rivieting way to spend independance day but after the week I have had, it was welcomed with open arms.

A week in and already and its great to see the group in action. Different personalities are starting to immerge and people are really showing their strengths. The Irish teens are settling with their families more and more each day, which is evident when they are spoken to and observed and this allows the project to flow freely without any problems. Its still exciting to watch and it can only get better…