Today is May 1st, exactly four months ago I left my home and all that I knew for this beautiful and terrifying experience. I am overwhelmed with gratitude for this past 1/3 of a year..
Three weeks ago my sister, Holly, visited!!! It was such a wonderful week of traveling and spending time with one of my best friends. :) She arrived on Saturday, April 2nd, and I took a bus to Dublin to meet her at the airport. I ended up searching frantically for her in the wrong airport terminal, and when I finally did find her she was asleep on her luggage and I realized I had forgotten my passport! One of the stupidest and most expensive mistakes I have ever made because we were to fly straight out of Dublin to Barcelona that evening, and I ended up buying a new ticket the next day just so I could travel back to Galway to pick up my passport. But it was wonderful to see her and we agreed that the most important thing was that we were together, so we took a shuttle into the city and had fish and chips and Smithwick's in a pub. Holly was already in love with Ireland, I could tell, because she kept saying what a magical place it is and how friendly everyone is. It is such a joy to share a place you love with a person you love!
I finally met her in Barcelona the next afternoon after a night of kicking myself for my dumb mistake, but it was good because she got to rest and recover slightly from jet lag. We had tappas in an outdoor cafe and Holly enjoyed using her Spanish and I enjoyed having a translator! Two semesters of college spanish is not enough! We took the metro to my favorite architect's, Gaudi, Sagrada Familia. This beautiful cathedral looks like it's a melting candle with statue scenes from the Bible tucked into its pores. As if the outside wasn't enough to experience, the inside looks like a modern art museum. I was so in love. For something begun in 1883, it is extremely modern and edgy, not to mention its a church. We climbed the towers and took pictures with Holly's new camera. Later we went to the Gaudi park, which is filled with beautiful Gaudi architecture and style. It looks like Candy Land! We had dinner and made friends in our hostel that night.
Monday we saw the beach for the first time and had sangria at an outdoor cafe. My vitamin C/D deprived body was so stoked for the sunshine after months in the rainy Irish weather! We rode a ski lift contraption up to Montjuic, a beautiful castle stronghold. Then we headed to the Boqueria market for chocolates and cafe con leche. We found Holly's favorite Barcelona pub, L'Ovella Negra, meaning the black sheep, where we met lots of Frenchmen. Finally, empinadas at a cafe before bed! I love eating dinner super late, good idea, Spain.
Tuesday we reluctantly left Spain to travel to Dublin and then on to Edinburgh, Scotland! Both of our older siblings had been there before with Ryan living there for a summer, so we immediately emailed them for tips on sightseeing. Edinburgh is such a beautiful city, and I felt right at home because it reminded me so much of Ireland only with more beautiful architecture and a thicker accent for me to decipher. We got there quite late so we grabbed some kebabs and went to sleep.
Wednesday we had breakfast at a pie shop around the corner that reminded me so much of Sweeny Todd! We hopped on a hop-on hop-off bus tour and visited Edinburgh castle. We were both so interested in Scottish history so we took our time there learning about Queen Victoria and the legend of the crown jewels. We made reservations at a five-star restaurant called the Witchery, and it was well worth the price! We had a three course meal and a bottle of white wine, it was so fun! The restaurant is located at a point where they used to burn supposed witches, and Holly was convinced it was haunted because we kept hearing water dropping and doors creaking. I highly recommend it. Then we headed back to the hostel for a quick nap and joined our hostel's pub crawl where we made friends with Australians, British, and Americans who were in a study abroad program that travels all over Europe for a semester.
Thursday we took Ryan's and Claire's advice and climbed Arthur's Seat, the highest point in Edinburgh. I have never experienced such windiness! But it provided a great panorama of the city. On our way down we ran into my friend from Galway, Matt, who was traveling around Scotland alone! It was such a crazy small world moment. We had a traditional Scottish dinner at a pub and then took a tour called the Scotch Whiskey Experience where we learned how scotch is made and were able to participate in a tasting. The last thing we did before picking up our luggage and catching our flight to Galway was my absolute favorite - we visited the Elephant House, a cafe where JK Rowling began writing Harry Potter! Aside from that, it is a wonderful cafe and I highly recommend it! We ordered nachos and Scottish cider, it was so good. We took pictures at the table overlooking Edinburgh castle that inspired her to create Hogwarts! At the time, she was living out of her car and could barely afford to order coffee. So inspiring.
Friday I was eager to show Holly my new home! We woke up and hit Galway, with brunch at Buon Appetito, one of my favorite outdoor cafes, and then I introduced her to cheap Irish shopping, she was hooked. We walked down to the harbor and beach where she tried to get some sun and I read my book. I took her to Monroe's for pizza (my favvvvvorite) and then to some of my favorite Irish pubs!
She left Saturday, sadly. I spent the next two days cramming for my Irish language final and planning for my birthday party on Monday, which was excellent.
I love my sister!!!
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Paris.. at last!
Oh, where has the TIME GONE?! I officially leave two weeks from today. Surreal is too easy a word to describe what I'm feeling. I have never experienced so emotions all at once: I have fallen in love with this place and this lifestyle, but I desperately do miss my people and home..
I visited Paris, France March 2-5. It was my first big European trip since arriving in Ireland, and I will never forget it. I went with two girls from my program, Tara and Emma, and I cannot stress enough how easy it is to travel with two people you can actually stand! We all got along great and laughed off the stressful things that happened, which is a must when you're traveling. Our trip will remain dreamlike in my memory.
Paris shocked me - I had no idea how breathtakingly beautiful a city it is! Nor did I anticipate how rude the French can be, but it remains my favorite European city (so far), second only to Galway. :)
We spent our first night frantically trying to find the metro and our hostel without butchering the French language into an unrecognizable gibberish, and somehow we made it (despite a late-night fruit stand scene I was afraid was something straight out of Dateline..)!
Our first day, we mastered the Metro system and walked down the Champs Elysses, speechless and giddy by our stunning surroundings. I screamed bloody murder the first time we caught a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower, and I doubt I stopped smiling throughout the whole day. We walked from the Army Museum where Napoleon is buried to the Triumphal Arch, and then caught a train out to Versailles Palace and Gardens. It was like something out of a movie, something you hope you get to see but doubt you ever will. That night we had what remains the best meal of my life at this hole-in-the-wall French eatery with Emma's friend Matt who has been studying abroad in Paris for two consecutive semesters! Tara and I split a big salad and a French cheese plate, and we all had baguettes and a bottle of white wine. Ahhhmazing.
The next day, we went to Monmarte, the center of the Bohemian Revolution and the setting for the film Moulin Rouge. There, we climbed the "mountain" to Sacre Couer, a beautiful cathedral. I have decided cathedrals are my favorite thing to see while traveling because it's like art, architecture, history, and it's quiet enough to pray and take it all in. We also visited the Moulin Rouge, of course, and got lost in the sex shop district eating crepes.. Luckily, we found the metro stop and took it to the Lechaise Cemetery, Holly suggested it. Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, and several other famous people are buried here and it is vast and gorgeous. When we arrived, Parisians were lining the streets as a famous French actress (apparently) was being buried that day, so we watched her funeral procession. After that, we had a quick picnic in the grass beneath the Eiffel Tower and climbed it! Emma has a slight fear of heights and vertigo, but she conquered her fears! I had to stop a few times on the never-ending winding staircase.. Chocolate eclaire + thousands of steps = recipe for disaster. But it was worth the journey for the panoramic view of Paris. Next, we walked through Notre Dame cathedral. It was such a moving experience for me, that I sat down to pray and got separated from my friends. A choir was practicing and the architecture lover within me couldn't stop snapping pictures and spotting architectural features that I learned about during my one art history class.. That night we had dinner with Matt and two other girls from our program, Ali and Michelle, before getting creme brule and hot wine at an outdoor cafe even though it was FREEZING! We felt truly Parisian.
Saturday we toured the Louvre and saw the Monal Lisa and the Venus de Milo! Our feet were killing us and Tara and Emma aren't quite the art history buffs I am, so they headed off while I walked around the galleries alone.. and loved every minute of it! I waited in line for the Muse d'Orsay for over an hour, but it was well worth the wait! This museum houses galleries of my three favorite artists, Monet, Degas, and Van Gogh. I was IN LOVE. I caught up with my companions for dinner at a cafe overlooking the Notre Dame cathedral. Afterwards, we bought champagne and cracked it open on one of the many beautiful bridges overlooking the sparkling Eiffel Tower.
Sunday we woke up at 4am to catch our return flight home! It was such a beautiful trip and I will NEVER forget it!
I visited Paris, France March 2-5. It was my first big European trip since arriving in Ireland, and I will never forget it. I went with two girls from my program, Tara and Emma, and I cannot stress enough how easy it is to travel with two people you can actually stand! We all got along great and laughed off the stressful things that happened, which is a must when you're traveling. Our trip will remain dreamlike in my memory.
Paris shocked me - I had no idea how breathtakingly beautiful a city it is! Nor did I anticipate how rude the French can be, but it remains my favorite European city (so far), second only to Galway. :)
We spent our first night frantically trying to find the metro and our hostel without butchering the French language into an unrecognizable gibberish, and somehow we made it (despite a late-night fruit stand scene I was afraid was something straight out of Dateline..)!
Our first day, we mastered the Metro system and walked down the Champs Elysses, speechless and giddy by our stunning surroundings. I screamed bloody murder the first time we caught a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower, and I doubt I stopped smiling throughout the whole day. We walked from the Army Museum where Napoleon is buried to the Triumphal Arch, and then caught a train out to Versailles Palace and Gardens. It was like something out of a movie, something you hope you get to see but doubt you ever will. That night we had what remains the best meal of my life at this hole-in-the-wall French eatery with Emma's friend Matt who has been studying abroad in Paris for two consecutive semesters! Tara and I split a big salad and a French cheese plate, and we all had baguettes and a bottle of white wine. Ahhhmazing.
The next day, we went to Monmarte, the center of the Bohemian Revolution and the setting for the film Moulin Rouge. There, we climbed the "mountain" to Sacre Couer, a beautiful cathedral. I have decided cathedrals are my favorite thing to see while traveling because it's like art, architecture, history, and it's quiet enough to pray and take it all in. We also visited the Moulin Rouge, of course, and got lost in the sex shop district eating crepes.. Luckily, we found the metro stop and took it to the Lechaise Cemetery, Holly suggested it. Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, and several other famous people are buried here and it is vast and gorgeous. When we arrived, Parisians were lining the streets as a famous French actress (apparently) was being buried that day, so we watched her funeral procession. After that, we had a quick picnic in the grass beneath the Eiffel Tower and climbed it! Emma has a slight fear of heights and vertigo, but she conquered her fears! I had to stop a few times on the never-ending winding staircase.. Chocolate eclaire + thousands of steps = recipe for disaster. But it was worth the journey for the panoramic view of Paris. Next, we walked through Notre Dame cathedral. It was such a moving experience for me, that I sat down to pray and got separated from my friends. A choir was practicing and the architecture lover within me couldn't stop snapping pictures and spotting architectural features that I learned about during my one art history class.. That night we had dinner with Matt and two other girls from our program, Ali and Michelle, before getting creme brule and hot wine at an outdoor cafe even though it was FREEZING! We felt truly Parisian.
Saturday we toured the Louvre and saw the Monal Lisa and the Venus de Milo! Our feet were killing us and Tara and Emma aren't quite the art history buffs I am, so they headed off while I walked around the galleries alone.. and loved every minute of it! I waited in line for the Muse d'Orsay for over an hour, but it was well worth the wait! This museum houses galleries of my three favorite artists, Monet, Degas, and Van Gogh. I was IN LOVE. I caught up with my companions for dinner at a cafe overlooking the Notre Dame cathedral. Afterwards, we bought champagne and cracked it open on one of the many beautiful bridges overlooking the sparkling Eiffel Tower.
Sunday we woke up at 4am to catch our return flight home! It was such a beautiful trip and I will NEVER forget it!
Monday, April 11, 2011
twenty-first.
just realized that this is the only time i will have a birthday with two elevens: 4/11/11 or how they say it in ireland.. 11/4/11. cool!
i woke up (after three hours of tumultuous sleep thanks to a pot of coffee and cramming for an irish exam) to a beautiful morning after a night of stormy weather in an empty apartment. i read myself this ee cummings poem:
here's to opening and upward, to leaf and to sap
and to your(in my arms flowering so new)
self whose eyes smell of the sound of rain
and here's to silent certainly mountains;and to
a disappearing poet of always,snow
and to morning;and to morning's beautiful friend
twilight(and a first dream called ocean)and
let must or if be damned with whomever's afraid
down with ought with because with every brain
which thinks it thinks,nor dares to feel(but up
with joy;and up with laughing and drunkenness)
here's to one undiscoverable guess
of whose mad skill each world of blood is made
(whose fatal songs are moving in the moon
lovvvvvvvveeeeeeee him.
then i donned my new black and tan primark dress, red cardigan, tan flats, and rolled skinnys and headed off to my irish final.
where i was greeted by my dear friend lauren and a latte she wrote "happy birthday" all over. :) then i owned that test. and the oral exam.
i just returned from tesco, where i bought myself hot pink roses, light pink and white carnations, and food for my party tonight!
lauren is coming over in a couple hours to bake cupcakes, make stuffed mushrooms, and garlic bread.. i also bought fruit, chips, salsa, guacamole, hummus, and stuff for mimosas!
we are also celebrating another girl's from my program birthday that was yesterday.. everyone is coming at eight and then we will go downtown around midnight. :) i think i can run on three hours of sleep for this? i have to! you only turn twenty-one once!
i received three beautiful pink cards in the mail yesterday filled with pictures of loved ones! (thanks mom, dad, mamaw, aunt patti) <3
here's to birthdays and those that make them special.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
St. Patrick's Week
Although it's been almost a month, my friends from home (Catelynn, Tyanne, and Kate) came to visit me in Ireland for St. Patrick's week and I thought it noteworthy.
I met them at Dublin International Airport on March 13th just to grab a quick bite and ride the 3 hour bus back to Galway with them. It was so great to sit with and have a best friend heart-to-heart with Tyanne on the bus, but only one for a whole semester is truly not enough! After dropping off their stuff at my apartment, we headed downtown to a couple of pubs so they could experience real Guinness and Irish culture, which they of course loved. We ate at Harry Fitz fish and chips, the best fish and chips in Ireland.
Monday morning we took a tour to the Cliffs of Moher, which I absolutely did not mind seeing again! It was wonderful re-experiencing them through three new sets of eyes. We ate at the same pub in Doolin and saw all the same sights with a new tour guide. When we got back, I cooked pasta and we were so exhausted that we (rather stereotypically) watched Leap Year in my apartment. Then we went out on the town and, let's just say, Kayanne Jannies joined the festivities. :)
Tuesday we were going to tour Conomara, but decided instead to sleep in a bit and just enjoy Galway for the day. Being a tourist in my own city was amazing. We went shopping, walked down to the harbor and beach, and heard some trad music in some of my favorite pubs. Then we had pizza and saw ceili dancing at Monroe's, which is becoming a Tuesday night tradition for me. Unfortunately, I was starting to feel super ill and feverish by 10 or 11, so we headed back to watch youtube videos.
Wednesday, I was feeling absolutely deathly. I shouldn't have but I boarded the bus with them to Belfast where we met up with Tyanne's Northern Irish friend, Claire, who hosted us at her house in Newcastle for two nights. We were supposed to all go to the St. Patrick's Day festival together in Down Patrick on Thursday, but I was so ill that I ended up staying in the guest bedroom all day. I have never been so sick or bummed out simultaneously in my entire life. I was angry that, of all the days to get sick in Ireland, it had to be St. Patrick's Day and the week my friends were visiting! But, looking back on it, I am very lucky we were staying with an actual family who made me tea and took me to a pharmacy to buy kleenex and cough drops rather than a hostel or hotel. That night we went to one of Tyanne's favorite restaurant pubs in the area (she's been to Ireland six times!) for dinner, which I could barely taste but thoroughly enjoyed drinking hot whiskey!
Friday we were supposed to spend the day together in Dublin and then possibly see an Enrique Iglesias or Mumford and Sons concert, but neither of those shows worked out and I was so ill that I went straight from Dublin home to Galway. They spent the day in Dublin and the night in the airport before their early flight home Saturday morning.
It was so wonderful having my girlies here and sharing my new home with them! :) And it's great to feel better again with the help of NUIG's free health center and antibiotics.
<3
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Belfast & the Antrim Coast: Northern Ireland
Also last month, my program organized a trip for us to the capital of Northern Ireland, Belfast. It feels even bigger than Dublin. It is one divided city, you can feel the tension in the air. We sat in on a background lecture on the famous murals of Belfast that portray the two sides to the story: that of the militant loyalist unionists (usually Protestants), the Ulster Freedom Fighters or Ulster Volunteer Army, and that of the militant republicans (often Catholics), the IRA (Irish Republican Army). Much like Derry, each side used the city as their canvas and billboard to sway the public in their direction, either identifying themselves as British or Irish is usually what it came down to. And it is far from over. Up until this trip, I had only studied about the Two Irelands without understanding just how different they are.
Catholics and Protestants are housed in separate areas of the city and Peace Walls run between them. These walls, although built in some of the most dangerous areas of Belfast and Northern Ireland in general, have been covered in modern murals by peace activists striving for resolution and understanding. Thousands of visitors to the walls have left behind a small wish for peace: their signature. Pleas for peace all over the world are also given wall space, such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It was a very moving day and interesting as our tour guide was a devout Protestant Brit and our bus driver was a devout Catholic Irishman.. The lines between terrorist and martyr became hazy.
We also traveled to the beautiful Antrim coast, the Northernmost part of the Irish island. The Giant's Causeway is a natural rock formation there said to have been built by the Irish giant Finn McCool in order to cross the small strait to Scotland to fight another giant. It was believed to have been giant-made because the rocks are a perfect hexagonal shape.
It feels like such a long time since I took this trip but it sticks out in my mind as one of the most physically beautiful trips I've ever taken.
More to come on my life-changing trip to Paris, my horrible St. Patrick's Day, and exciting summer news..
MWAH!
Catholics and Protestants are housed in separate areas of the city and Peace Walls run between them. These walls, although built in some of the most dangerous areas of Belfast and Northern Ireland in general, have been covered in modern murals by peace activists striving for resolution and understanding. Thousands of visitors to the walls have left behind a small wish for peace: their signature. Pleas for peace all over the world are also given wall space, such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It was a very moving day and interesting as our tour guide was a devout Protestant Brit and our bus driver was a devout Catholic Irishman.. The lines between terrorist and martyr became hazy.
We also traveled to the beautiful Antrim coast, the Northernmost part of the Irish island. The Giant's Causeway is a natural rock formation there said to have been built by the Irish giant Finn McCool in order to cross the small strait to Scotland to fight another giant. It was believed to have been giant-made because the rocks are a perfect hexagonal shape.
It feels like such a long time since I took this trip but it sticks out in my mind as one of the most physically beautiful trips I've ever taken.
More to come on my life-changing trip to Paris, my horrible St. Patrick's Day, and exciting summer news..
MWAH!
Irish Language Homestay
Dia duit! (Hello!)
It has been far too long and I am drowning under a pile of posts to share! I cannot believe I have posted so little and here it is March and I have one week left of classes..
So much has happened and I am forever changed by this semester in Ireland. Luckily, so many adventures still to be had!
Back in February I had the privilege of going to the Gaeltacht (Irish speaking region) of Conomara which is very near to Galway for my Irish language course for the weekend. No one in my program was on the trip and it was a wonderful opportunity to meet other NUIG students.. even if they all were Americans like me pathetically attempting to learn this difficult language!
It was one of my favorite weekends ever. The people I stayed with were so kind, the challenge of using a new language was fun, and experiencing such a small Irish community was a blessing. We took classes every day, but we also took a kaylee dancing class which reminded me very much of folk dancing nights at Aldersgate camp.. Afterwards we went to the one pub in the town and requested one of the songs we had learned a dance to called "The Donkey", and the in house band played it! Imagine fifty giddy Americans dancing a traditional dance in this tiny Irish pub surrounded by several local spectators. It was amazing.
Let's just hope some of the Irish stuck! My final is on my 21st birthday, April 11th and my sister will be here for a full week before then.. :/
Slan! (Bye!)
Friday, February 18, 2011
Derry, Northern Ireland
Two weekends ago I visited Derry, Northern Ireland's border city and possibly the most historic site of conflict between the two states. Before taking my class on "The Two Irelands in the Twentieth Century", I wouldn't really know a thing about The Troubles but with just a slight amount of background information the experience was very moving.
I traveled with two guys in my program, Matt and Mike. We took a 5 and a half hour bus ride and I discovered that traveling is what I have really been missing here. I get frustrated staying in Galway every weekend, so it was fun to leave for a couple of nights. We stayed at the Independent Hostel (which I highly recommend) and befriended the manager who is from California but has lived all over the world.
He set up a tour for us of Derry with a man who served as an IRA (Irish Republican Army) volunteer and was a marcher on the fateful Bloody Sunday massacre. He was imprisoned by the British government for his involvement with rebel forces and had several friends and acquaintances give their lives during the Derry hunger strikes. As it was just the three of us on the tour, it was very powerful and moved me to tears. His passion for Ireland and hatred for the British was still very alive and well although he is in his mid-seventies. It was way better than sitting in a lecture or watching a film, which is generally how I've been learning about The Troubles. And it turns out he was working behind the bar at a pub we were in the night before!
We also visited the wall that surrounds Derry, which is one of the 1,001 historic sites you must see before you die (apparently). It is filled with history and both British and Irish flags could be seen around the area as there still exist staunch republicans although it is technically a part of the UK and Northern Ireland. There are also beautiful murals all over Free Derry in the Bogside just outside the wall depicting Bloody Sunday and other squabbles between the British and the rebel forces. It is hard to believe this stuff was just going on a few decades ago! We visited a pub where the last time two Brits came in (during the Troubles), the pub goers took them out back and shot them.. or so they say. I would not doubt it!
Just before leaving Sunday, we watched the very passionate football match between the Celtics and the Rangers (think UK/Louisville or Yankees/Red Sox) in a crowded pub where, I think, we were the only Americans. It was such a cool experience as everyone was jumping and yelling (and drinking..) and dancing and singing. They ended up tying, and I was just relieved they hadn't lost or some serious destruction may have taken place.
Last weekend I found castle ruins very close by, went to the outdoor market, and attended a rugby match! I will post pictures soon!
Thank you all so much for your prayers and skype conversations and emails. They mean so much to me and I am ashamed to say I would have come home a long time ago without them. I do feel a bit like I'm lacking solid community here, but am still grateful and excited to have these few moths to myself to really travel and pray and learn. I am already learning so much! To cook and be better at yoga, better at stifling my urges to complain, better at traveling, better at walking long distances in the cold wind and rain! God is with me and will never leave me and I am relearning His consistency and love in my life. <3
I traveled with two guys in my program, Matt and Mike. We took a 5 and a half hour bus ride and I discovered that traveling is what I have really been missing here. I get frustrated staying in Galway every weekend, so it was fun to leave for a couple of nights. We stayed at the Independent Hostel (which I highly recommend) and befriended the manager who is from California but has lived all over the world.
He set up a tour for us of Derry with a man who served as an IRA (Irish Republican Army) volunteer and was a marcher on the fateful Bloody Sunday massacre. He was imprisoned by the British government for his involvement with rebel forces and had several friends and acquaintances give their lives during the Derry hunger strikes. As it was just the three of us on the tour, it was very powerful and moved me to tears. His passion for Ireland and hatred for the British was still very alive and well although he is in his mid-seventies. It was way better than sitting in a lecture or watching a film, which is generally how I've been learning about The Troubles. And it turns out he was working behind the bar at a pub we were in the night before!
We also visited the wall that surrounds Derry, which is one of the 1,001 historic sites you must see before you die (apparently). It is filled with history and both British and Irish flags could be seen around the area as there still exist staunch republicans although it is technically a part of the UK and Northern Ireland. There are also beautiful murals all over Free Derry in the Bogside just outside the wall depicting Bloody Sunday and other squabbles between the British and the rebel forces. It is hard to believe this stuff was just going on a few decades ago! We visited a pub where the last time two Brits came in (during the Troubles), the pub goers took them out back and shot them.. or so they say. I would not doubt it!
Just before leaving Sunday, we watched the very passionate football match between the Celtics and the Rangers (think UK/Louisville or Yankees/Red Sox) in a crowded pub where, I think, we were the only Americans. It was such a cool experience as everyone was jumping and yelling (and drinking..) and dancing and singing. They ended up tying, and I was just relieved they hadn't lost or some serious destruction may have taken place.
Last weekend I found castle ruins very close by, went to the outdoor market, and attended a rugby match! I will post pictures soon!
Thank you all so much for your prayers and skype conversations and emails. They mean so much to me and I am ashamed to say I would have come home a long time ago without them. I do feel a bit like I'm lacking solid community here, but am still grateful and excited to have these few moths to myself to really travel and pray and learn. I am already learning so much! To cook and be better at yoga, better at stifling my urges to complain, better at traveling, better at walking long distances in the cold wind and rain! God is with me and will never leave me and I am relearning His consistency and love in my life. <3
The Cliffs of Moher!
I know it's been a while! Two weeks ago I had the beautiful opportunity to take a bus tour to the Burren and the Cliffs of Moher, not far from Galway City, with some of the people in my program. It is, by far, one of the most incredible places I have ever been! Our bus driver/tour guide was a little creepy, but kept loudly singing "Galway Girl" by Steve Earl as well as some trad music which made things entertaining..
We stopped at a castle, or, as he called it, a "glorified tower house", as well as the "famous" crosses of Klifenora, an early monastic site from the 11th/12th centuries. The crosses were built most likely to raise the prominence of the monastery at a time when competition was high.
The Burren is a very rocky area near Galway where some people in our program are studying at the Burren College of Art. Everyone jokes that it has zero nightlife, but it is so beautiful! Burren means rocky is gaelic and there are ancient tombs we visited. Poulnabrone is supposedly one of the oldest and best preserved portal tombs, dating back to the 4th millennium BC! The anthropologist in me loved it.
We also stopped at this fairy ring, a supposed National monument. It was only a circular clearing nestled in a forest and, without any background context, was pretty dull. But still beautiful, I suppose, as everything in this country is infused with romance and beauty.
The cliffs were magical. They grace the cover of my Lonely Planet Ireland travel book and many a film! We had a clear day for seeing them, which is rare at this time of year. The pictures speak for themselves, although we were all frustrated at our camera's inability to really capture the breathtaking view. Some of us climbed a tower that appeared to be a castle for a better view of the cliffs. I payed two euro, totally worth it. Two musicians were playing accordion and tin whistle and it was magical. I can't find a better word than "magical" to explain it.
More to come soon! <3
We stopped at a castle, or, as he called it, a "glorified tower house", as well as the "famous" crosses of Klifenora, an early monastic site from the 11th/12th centuries. The crosses were built most likely to raise the prominence of the monastery at a time when competition was high.
The Burren is a very rocky area near Galway where some people in our program are studying at the Burren College of Art. Everyone jokes that it has zero nightlife, but it is so beautiful! Burren means rocky is gaelic and there are ancient tombs we visited. Poulnabrone is supposedly one of the oldest and best preserved portal tombs, dating back to the 4th millennium BC! The anthropologist in me loved it.
We also stopped at this fairy ring, a supposed National monument. It was only a circular clearing nestled in a forest and, without any background context, was pretty dull. But still beautiful, I suppose, as everything in this country is infused with romance and beauty.
The cliffs were magical. They grace the cover of my Lonely Planet Ireland travel book and many a film! We had a clear day for seeing them, which is rare at this time of year. The pictures speak for themselves, although we were all frustrated at our camera's inability to really capture the breathtaking view. Some of us climbed a tower that appeared to be a castle for a better view of the cliffs. I payed two euro, totally worth it. Two musicians were playing accordion and tin whistle and it was magical. I can't find a better word than "magical" to explain it.
More to come soon! <3
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