Trip to Ireland - Day 10 - What I learned & last days in Dublin

So while I'm still adjusting to a different time zone, I thought I'd write about the last few days in ireland and what I learned. Figure this was I good way to wrap up my trip emails. :-)

What I learned in Ireland:

• There are two types of weather in Ireland: Raining and about to rain. It only actually rained twice last week. Once for 3 days, and the second time lasted 4 days. ;)
• It is always windy and I shouldn't even try to do my hair.
• Irish potatoes are incredible yummy and are different than Idaho potatoes.
• Black and White pudding is very tasty, until you find out what it's made of.
• Pubs are awesome. Pubs stand for public houses and are wonderful social places to eat and socialize. Not at all like what bars are here. Non-drinkers are welcome.
• Live Irish music is a treasure.
• You don't say, "Why do you drive on the wrong side of the road?" It's not the wrong side, it's just the left side. I didn't say this mind you...I knew better.
• Ireland and its people are even more friendly, warm, enchanting, magical and beautiful as I thought they were.

On a more personal note..

• I learned that traveling solo is not as scary as I thought it would be.
• I'm much more travel savvy than I thought.
• Finding someone (future spouse) who loves to travel as much as I do is really important to me.
• God is very mindful of us and does send His angels to watch over and protect us.
• While tour groups are fun and informative, I'm glad there are other options. 

Ireland was the trip I felt like I needed to go on. I'm not sure if there was any specific reason why or if I will know why anytime soon, but I'm so glad I went. 

Here are the highlights of my last day in Dublin.

The night in the hostel went fine. I was next to a window on one of the busiest streets in Dublin. I knew this was the case when I booked the place, but the prime location outweighed the noise factor. I didn't sleep much, but I slept enough. That morning I was able to get breakfast and head out to do a few last minute things in Dublin.

I was so hoping to see the first edition of the book of Mormon at Trinity College but the library wasn't open. I found a fun place to sit and read a paper about the ten year anniversary of September 11th. It was nice to have just a moment to just sit and take in.

Pretty soon it was time to check out of the hostel and catch my bus to the airport. There were heavy winds and they delayed our flight from Dublin by 2 hours. The plane was taking longer than usual to service. No problem. It made my 5 hour layover in Chicago only 3 hours. 

As we waited, the passengers all got a bit chatty. I ended up visiting with three sisters from Nebraska who had come to Ireland for fun. They were telling me their adventures in driving. I also sat by an Irish woman who had moved to California several years ago, but had just come back to visit family. It was fun for her to hear about our trips and what we thought of her beautiful country. It was nice to visit with all of them.

The flight went well and I was able to stay awake the entire time. Now the flight from Chicago to Salt Lake was different. By that time it was about 3 and 4 am Ireland time and I just couldn't stay awake. No worries though I slept fine when I got home except that I have this thing where I wake up at 3 and 4 in the morning. :-) I always seem to have more issues adjusting when coming back.

Here's one last Irish blessing and some of my favorite photos of my favorite times and people from the trip. :)

May love and laughter light your days,

And warm your heart and home.

May good and faithful friends be yours,

Wherever you may roam.

May peace and plenty bless your world

With joy that long endures.

May all life's passing season

Bring the best to you and yours.

Trip to Ireland - Day 9 - Train back to Dublin

Today was my last day with the tour group. Part of me couldn't wait and part of me was quite sad. I had made friends with everybody in the group and I am going to miss them. I also wish I had more time to see the rest of Ireland with them as they go to Dingle and Cork. It was a good group and they all feel like family. As I left they all gave me big hugs, even the guys. The Australians even gave me a kiss on the cheek.

This morning we went and saw some more cliffs in a small sleepy town called Kilkee. The energy of the ocean was amazing and it was quite a site to see massive waves crashing into the rocks. There was that big storm that came through and it's made for some very big waves.

We caught a small ferry that lasted about 20 minutes. Great for people watching. There was a motor home pulling this iddy bitty car looking thing. It looked more like a windup toy. Found out it's called a Peel Trident and only 45 were ever made. Here's a photo because you just need to see it. :)

I guess another highlight on the ferry ride was the 3 German guys who seemed to take a liking to me. They spoke just enough English to say hello and how are ya. After that it was all smiles and waves. The rest of my group enjoyed watching these German guys watch me. As one of the Australians put it, "it was if they'd never seen a pretty girl before." It was fun, especially knowing that nothing would come of it.

About lunch time we stopped off in a small town called Tralee. It was time for me to catch my train. I said my goodbyes and got on a nice train. I do love trains. This one was more of a commuter type train and not built for excessive comfort,though it was comfortable enough. Watching the countryside go by and overhearing different conversations was grand fun. There were quite a few different Irish accents floating around depending on where in Ireland they're from, especially in Northern Ireland.

Made it to Dublin just fine. Found something to eat and checked into my hostel. It's right by a busy road so we'll see if I get any sleep tonight, but the location is prime and the hot shower was one of the best I've had yet. I'm rooming with 2 Germans and an Australian. Nice girls. The hostel has a fun flavor and it's fun to see where everybody's from. We all have the love of travel in common and it makes for a comfortable atmosphere. I feel like people get me here because they are the same way. :-)

Oh kind of a fun thing they told us about on the tour. There is a man here named Willie Daly and he is an old Irish matchmaker. He's from this little town, but people from around the world work with him. He puts on this matchmaking festival every year and apparently he's quite successful in what he does. Apparently it's in his genes. His father and grandfather were also matchmakers. To keep up with the times he even has a website. :-) Anyway... I got teased about getting with the matchmaker to find me a match. You wouldn't believe it...everyone on the tour wants me to keep in touch and keep them posted on my relationship status. Too funny. 


Here's another Irish blessing

May God give you...
For every storm, a rainbow
For every tear, a smile
For every care, a promise
And a blessing in each trial.
For every problem that life sends
A faithful friend to share
For every sigh, a sweet song
And an answer to each prayer.

Trip to Ireland - Day 8 - Cliffs of Mohor

I can't believe this trip is wrapping up already. Trips always seem to go by so fast, especially when I'm having so much fun!

 Sign seen at all edges of the Cliffs of Mohor.

Today's highlight was seeing the Cliffs of Mohor. They were pretty spectacular, even if the weather was less than ideal. I just stood in silent awe for a long time watching the huge waves crash against the sides of the cliffs. I'm so glad I was able to see them first hand since photos just don't do them justice.

We saw another castle which was pretty cool. They let us walk all up in it and see everything. They have castles everywhere. You see them all along the road as if it's the most common thing in the world. I think they said there were over 300 all over the country.

You wouldn't believe the rock walls everywhere! I love them! I love the way they create little patterns in the green fields. So much work went into building them. Some of the walls have been there for hundreds of years. I made sure to take plenty of photos. :)

We saw another Neolithic tomb. This one had a great big table rock. That's where they have 2 slabs of huge flat rocks  standing and then another flat slab across the top. No one really knows how they were able to move these massive stones. Quite the site to see and they have them everwhere.

We stopped off in Galway for lunch. It quite the happening city. 120,000 people, but has a sort of small town feel. They describe it has a bohemian type of city. Lots of street performers. Definitely a different flavor than Dublin. We saw the shop that made the original design of the Claddagh ring. The ring shows two hands holding a heart with a crown on top. The saying goes "With these hands I give you my heart and crown it with my love."

Tomorrow is my last day with the group. I catch a train about lunchtime and head back to Dublin. I'll miss the tour, but am looking forward to doing my own thing again. I'm hoping to get to see a few more things in Dublin before flying out tomorrow afternoon.

Trip to Ireland - Day 7 - Live Irish Music Rocks!

The highlight of today was the live music we got to hear in a town called Clifton. Charming little city and the atmosphere just added to magic of the live music. In a pub called Connelly's, 3 guys played from 9:30 to midnight. They were amazing! The fiddle player was 29 and he could play anything. He played the fiddle and guitar with such ease that he almost looked bored. The way that each member plays off each other was incredible. You knew they loved their music and enjoyed playing with each other because it came through the music. The pub atmosphere just added to the fun. At one point the fiddle player started Irish dancing on the tables and then the bar while still playing madly on the fiddle. It. Was. Awesome!!! We even had a few old Irishmen just pop in to dance a jig to some of the tunes. Most people in the bars knew the words to the songs and it was one big sing-a-long most of the time. When we all got to clapping and singing, the energy of it all was incredible. I love that I was able to see that and in a way be a part of.

So half of our group was on the 5 day trip so we said goodbye to them today. It was sad to see my favorite Australian leave. She has been such a pleasure to be with and was also a bit of a buffer from this other single gal on the trip. No worries though. I'm still enjoying the tour and the people on it, but I do enjoy the time when I can escape to my room and be alone or enjoy some quiet on some of the hikes we go on.

We were supposed to visit the Aran Islands, but the trip was cancelled because of a force 9 gael (storm). We could get out to the islands, but would not be able to get back. They've cancelled all the ferry boats, which is quite rare. It must be quite the storm. Our poor guide isn't quite sure what we'll do, but I'm sure there is a lot to see. We also switch guides today. The guides can only drive 6 days at a time. We are getting a musician named Wendy. We usually get two or three Irish songs every day and the stories behind them. So fun!

So I am loving the time for tea. I bought a box of assorted herbal teas at the start of the trip and enjoy a cup or two every day. Its been nice since I've been fighting off a cold. :-).
Here's several random pictures from the day.




I finally got a shower with an actual shower curtain! I was so excited about it, but then I experienced what the Australian had been talking about. The curtain will cling to you and you spend most of your time fighting with the curtain. I guess that's why they use the half shower doors instead. It was the most bizarre experience. I don't know if it had to do with the extra humidity, the shower curtain not being weighed down, or maybe it just wasn't set out far enough. Regardless...I get it now.


We stopped by and saw Kylemore Abbey. Very pretty, but you had to pay like 10 euro to go see it up close. So this is as close as we got.



These photos were taken seriously 5 minutes a part. It will be sunny one minute and then it's raining the next. But then it's sunny again. :)


We stopped to stretch our legs and found we had company. You'll also notice that he's standing behind a bush of wild raspberries. Very yummy!








We stopped by a Potato Famine memorial. Quite haunting.



If I'd been in Ireland any longer I would have picked me up a pair of these.

Trip to Ireland - Day 6 - Weavers, Waterfalls, and Cliffs

Today was a good day. Well all my days have been good days here. Nothing really exists outside Ireland right now. Not work, boys, or any other worry. It's quite lovely really and one of the main reasons I love to travel. I get to leave it all behind and be carefree.

I sleep so well here. it's probably due to exhaustion and the sea air, but I melt into bed every night and don't even remember dreaming. I only wish I could sleep a bit longer, but I can do that when I get home. There's too much to see and do here.

First thing this morning we saw an old weaver who has been using his homemade loom for over 50 years. He explained the process and how everything worked. He showed us how the different patterns were created and how he could make over 4 meters of weave in an hour. He then sends it off to be tailored into suits, hats, and lots of other things. He was truly fascinating and it was amazing to watch him work. Weaving is becoming a lost art.

On our drive to Sligo, we happened upon a spontaneous waterfall. I guess that's what happens when it rains so much. It was big and coming down fast. I tell you what... We are all over the cheap thrills. The sheep, the waterfalls, thatched roofs, castles and rainbows. :-) They are almost everywhere. No wonder there's talk of fairies and little people. This place is quite enchanting. Our poor tour guide has to pullover quite a bit for us to take pictures, but he's quite good about it.

Field for drying turf. Turf is burned to use for heat and fuel.

We will see the Cliffs of Mohor in a few days, but today we saw the tallest cliffs in Europe, the Slieve League. They are over 600 meters high and coach buses can't make it to them. So we were some of the few people there. They were beautiful and quite the sight to behold. They don't quite drop straight down like the Cliffs of Mohor, but they are still quite impressive. The weather was gorgeous and we took lots and lots of photos.

Our guide is really into Neolithic stone forts and tombs. I guess there's over 400 that dot the island and that's only the ones they've discovered so far. We stopped by another huge one and they truly are a sight to see. Yes, they are just a pile of giant rocks stacked on top of each other, surrounded by thousands of smaller rocks. But when you consider how they got there, how old they are, and how in the world they were able to stack these massive rocks on top of each other, it's truly an amazing site.

I think most of us are a bit warn out. I think we all dozed off for a bit in the jeep while we were driving. We might need a vacation from our vacation.:-)

Tomorrow is day 5 of the group tour and half of our group is leaving. A few of them I will miss quite a lot. The one Australian who came on her own, Jennifer, I will miss quite a bit. She's such a classy lady and has been such great company. She's going to rent a car and spend 10 days traveling around the rest of the island on her own. She's got to be in her mid 60's, but she's still just as adventurous as ever. 


Irish blessing for the day:  

May the frost never afflict your spuds.
May the leaves of your cabbage always be free from worms.
May the crows never pick your haystack.
If you inherit a donkey, may she be in foal.