World Cup fever

Saturday was a fairly easy day, but it was much-needed because I think we're all starting to wear out a bit toward the end of the trip.

In the morning we visited Castle Ward, which was home to several generations of Lord Bangors. The house is unique because the man who built it and his wife were complete opposites and couldn't agree on an architectural style. So the front of the house is built in a classical style for him, while his eccentric wife had the back designed in a Gothic style.

In the afternoon we headed into West Belfast, where we stopped to see the famous murals there. The murals are all over that area of the city and are very politically charged. I'm not sure what adjectives would be best to describe them, but they serve as a clear indication that even though violence has gone away, there are still significant political disagreements in Northern Ireland.

But the highlight of the day had to be when we went to Denvir's pub in Downpatrick to watch the USA v. England World Cup match. Ryan (poor Ryan -- the only male in the group, forced to deal with nine women for two weeks) had been counting down the days since we arrived, so humoring him by going to watch the game was the least we could do. He was so excited about the game that he said a round of drinks was on him if the U.S. won. He also said we were all getting hugs (which he had previously made clear he was morally opposed to due to "awkwardness") if the U.S. scored a goal.

Game time came and the South African vuvuzelas buzzed through the pub's TV. There was no reaction from our fellow pub-goes when "God Save the Queen" was played for England. But when "The Star Spangled Banner" began, we all belted it out like I've never heard our national anthem belted before, then started a rousing "USA! USA! USA!" chant. While this did cause quite the scene, most of the pub was also cheering for the U.S., so I think they found us fairly entertaining.

Throughout the game, Ryan was easily the most engaged spectator, screaming in agony when England scored a goal within the first three minutes, becoming very nearly irate when we almost let in others. But when a U.S. shot for the goal slipped through the hands of England's goalie near the end of the first half, he nearly blew the roof off the place, and held to his hug promise, attacking anyone closest to him (myself and Kacie). Kacie still has a bruise from the hug Ryan attacked her with.

The U.S. didn't come out of this one with a win, but the tie (and the look on David Beckham's face) was certainly satisfying. I don't think Denvir's will ever be the same.