Beaches...

Yesterday after classes I took the train to Portrush to check out the beach. It was pretty, clean, and chilly. It's been a long time since I've been to the ocean, and even longer that I can remember a time being there when it was pretty deserted. The rock formations were intense, the surfers were still out, and I even got to see seals out not too far from the beach. Pretty cool. Otherwise, not a whole lot to see in Portrush. There were castle ruins up along the cliffs, but the beach ended before you could get to them, so I didn't see them.

On the International Friends walk today however, I did get to see some castle ruins out in Castlerock, not far from Coleraine. I'm a jerk and didn't bring my stupid camera. We saw the ruins of the Downhill House and the Mussenden Temple, which were built and inhabited by bishops about two centuries ago. Pretty incredible to look at, in the middle of what is now a cow and sheep pasture. The temple was built right at the base of the sea on a cliff. Looking over, you could see the rocks and beach just disappear into the ocean. From the same spot, you could also see across the water divide into the Republic. The weather was great and the sights were awesome. I'd love to go back.

On the ride back, I spoke to a student from China studying here about life and his situation back home. It was pretty intense to try to imagine and listen too. I asked him about his perceptions about "single party" government and things about Tibet and like that. How do you get news in your country? One filtered news channel. He said you have to use the internet. Most people try to read from the BBC or FOX online but its hard I guess. Fox news... What about studying history? He told me about studying and regurgitating information he knows is biased and revised for school. People still talk about Tibet and the Dali Lama and such, but only at home obviously. Passports and visas were weird too. Pretty wild, and sobering to think about. I can remember talking about all of this in classes and courses that I have taken, but I guess it never occured to me to ask someone whose lived the real deal what its all about.

Listening to: Rancid, David Bowie.