Friendly Talk.

In hand: imaginary coffee cup.  Also, the third Hunger Games book, which is almost as addicting as the 3 cups of coffee I drink every day.


A little over a year ago, I took a trip to Chicago with my ministry and best friends that changed my life.  If you know me, I bet I've told you about this trip already.  But one thing that we took away from our experience was the value of communicating with one another.  Making the effort to go out of our way to talk to different people.
To quote from my dear friend Chris, "(We talked to) these people who have really neat stories and things to hear about and to share with and connect with.  And that's not something that should be the way it is in the world, as far as we don't talk to each other and communicate."


Belfast is a wonderfully cute city.  It is full of colorful and unique buildings, beautiful churches, cute neighborhoods, cafes and pubs (of course), and friendly people.  It all started with the cab driver, who went out of his way to take my bag from the inside of the airport out to the car and give us the run down on all the different restaurants in the area.  I think I really like cab drivers.  They always know the city so well and can be really helpful.  After settling in our apartment, we ventured out to find one of the restaurants the driver had recommended.  On our way, an older man in a leather jacket walked straight up to us and without even starting with a hello inquired, "Where are you from?"  We were so taken aback, all I could respond with was, "We're just traveling."  Whatever that means.  We told him that we were from the States (Pennsylvania and California) and watched carefully as he fiddled with his jacket pockets.  The man went on to tell us about how the queen granted William Penn land, how he visited the Liberty Bell, lived in Texas, works for the government, wants to go to San Francisco, and how Belfast got its name.  He also explained an Irish greeting to us, gave us some advice about the bus into the city centre, and then told us it was very nice to meet us and that he hopes we have a wonderful stay in Belfast.  After he left us, we looked at each other and I couldn't put into words how I was feeling- happy, touched, guilty.  What a friendly man who, without pretense, simply wanted to have a chat and welcome us to the city.  And my thoughts had gone through every possible situation but that- he wanted to ask for money, he was trying to sell something, he was not completely "with-it."  This exchange really got me thinking- where is the line between being aware and being paranoid? between being friendly and being naive?  I'd much rather believe the best in people and trust that I can have safe conversations with strangers as I travel, but I also want to be smart and aware.  I think my family has really helped model this for me- I've seen my parents handle many situations through all of our travels and I can see them in they way I interact with people during this trip.  I feel like my mom when I go up to the barista at a cafe and ask him to show me how he made such incredible foam.  I feel like my dad when I ask a man if he'd like me to take a picture of him with the scenery he is attempting to photograph.  Thanks, guys. 


My main purpose for traveling through these different places is to learn about them.  And what better way to discover the culture, history, and interesting facts of a place than through the people who live there?  Most people have stories and are just itching for someone to tell.  So now I have the chance to really put into action what I learned in Chicago, to have meaningful interactions with those I encounter as I travel.  Pray for me!

One of the many lovely churches.

Queen's University in Belfast.

The amazing foam cappuccino.

At Giant's Causeway.

Jumping picture, of course!

In the city centre.