On the Road, the Second 14 Weeks

"Fourteen Weeks" is a series of updates that Ethan Gelber and Jane Higgins wrote
as a means of staying in touch with friends and family as they traveled around the world in 2002 and 2003.

A BIG HINT:
Hold the mouse over the small pictures to view the caption
and then click on any the picture to see a larger version.

First 14 Weeks (2002) — Part One: Introduction | Part Two: Australia | Part Three: Hong Kong | Part Four: Africa

Second 14 Weeks (2002) — Part One: Introduction, Ireland | Part Two: Europe and U.S. | Part Three: Europe | Part Four: North America

Third 14 Weeks (2002–2003) — Part One: Introduction, U.S. | Part Two: Mexico, Brazil | Part Three: U.S. | Part Four: U.S., Australia | Part Five: U.S.

The following text was sent as an email on October 4, 2002.

The previous round of 14 weeks — reported to you on June 21 (if you did not get it and would like to see, please let us know) — began when Ethan and Jane departed Sydney, and then launched into an around-the-world tour with a rollicking roll across Australia, a toe dip into Hong Kong, a mettle-building slog through Southern and East Africa, and a touchdown in Europe. We left you last freshly (or stale-ly) off a plane in Belfast, Northern Ireland. So that is where we pick up the thread.

Fourteen weeks ago, Brazil beat England and Germany beat the USA in the World Cup quarter finals. However, with our Irish friend Grainne, our spirits were lifted sampling the treats of wind-swept and chilly Northern Ireland: the Glens of Antrim (with views out to the Paul-made-famous Mull of Kintyre), the Giants Causeway, fresh Guinness (tasting like it should), and even a gutteral hurling match (having nothing to do with reflux). Grainne, who has generously worked for years with people who suffered during the Troubles, also sped us past some of Belfast's many sites — including the countless evocative murals and flags coloring neighborhood streets and clarifying local political (and religious) leanings. Times have improved from the days of de facto martial law, but how sad it is that allegiance is still defined by differences. From Belfast, we crossed to (London)Derry, site of Bogside and Bloody Sunday remembrance. Across the border in the Republic of Ireland, Donegal and Connemara country called: Sligo city (home of Yeats), castles, cairns, barren heaths, flowing coasts . . . and even a Celtic seaweed bath.

Thirteen weeks ago . . .