Bear with my. This is a long one...
Gosh, this trip is FLYING BY. For a while my mindset was, "I've only been here for so many days/weeks". Now my mindset is "I only have so many days left". Today we are at 10 days. I will be leaving Ireland in 10 days. Ireland has stolen my heart and I will be extremely sad to leave. But I will certainly be living it up my last days here. This past week was a very busy one. I was sick for a few days, but I am finally getting over my cold! Woohoo. Below are the major things I have done this past week...
Kylemore Abbey & Letterfrack
On Wednesday, our program took us on a tour of Kylemore Abbey. The drive alone was just breathtaking. The landscape and scenery was utterly amazing. I was snapping picture after picture from the bus, and jumped at any opportunity to get out and take pictures. Once we got to Kylmore Abbey, I stayed just as awestruck. As the bus pulled around the bend, and we all saw Kylemore Abbey across the lake, the entire bus went "Ohhhhh ahhhhhhh". And this below would be why.
We also had the opportunity to see Gothic Church and the Victorian Walled Gardens. Below are a few pictures.
On Wednesday night, we had a little session at our house filled with music, singing, and dancing. It was very cool to see the various talents of my housemates and to be there in that moment.
We had our first oral exam on Thursday. And we SURVIVED! I'm so proud of my beginner class. We have all come so far from that first day. It's crazy how much we have learned in just two weeks. Today we started reading our third children's book. We are currently in the process of planning a play to perform for everyone in the program next week to showcase everything we have learned. It's going to be totes hilar.
Sean-Nós Dancing/Music at An Cistin
On Thursday night, my housemates and I went to learn some Sean-Nós dancing and then hit up the pub afterwards to hear some live music. A man and his son were there performing, and it was just grand to watch.
Oíche Mhór Cheoil (Big Night of Music)
On Friday, we went to the school to watch some locals as well as students of the program perform different pieces. It was very cool to watch everyone showcasing various Irish pieces, as well as pieces from other cultures.
Oh my gosh. Trá Lá was the BEST DAY EVER. 'Trá' stands for 'Beach' and 'Lá' is 'Day' in Irish - therefore 'Beach Day'. It is not the correct translation from English to Irish, but it has character, so we kept it. On Saturday, my housemates and I planned to go to the beach straight from class. And it was such a perfect day for it - it couldn't have worked out any better. I was just in awe at the beauty of everything around me. Standing on the beach, it was clear enough to see the Cliffs of Moher across the ocean as well as the Aran Islands. And the water is SO CLEAR. I could have stayed there forever (given the weather stayed the same). It was so fun to relax and spend time with my housemates. It was also great swimming in the Atlantic...until I got chased out by a jellyfish. Trá Lá has definitely been a highlight of this trip.
Here we are - angsting at the beach.
Look closely, for those are the Cliffs of Moher. Seen from the beach.
And here is the view of the Aran Islands from the beach.
Trá Lå! We even got the fada!
Also one of my favorite days so far being here. Beth & I (mostly Beth) organized the event with a small group in our program, so that we were able to take a Galway Tour of the Cliffs of Moher. The tour was informational and entertaining. Along with going to the cliffs, the tour stopped at the Burren, Corcomroe Abbey, Doolin, and many more interesting spots. We also learned about fairy forts, leprechauns and any other cool stories the driver felt like sharing along the way. The Cliffs of Moher were stunningly beautiful and absolutely terrifying. We ventured around to see the different sights offered. I learned that I am not afraid of heights, but I am afraid of falling. I loved the view and I loved taking fun pictures, but I was skeptical to go too far near any edge. I am also so geeked that we got to see the cave used in Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. To top the trip off, on the way home we got to see a dancing dog and dolphins jumping along the coast. I could not have asked for a better weekend.
No worries, I pulled myself up with all of my upper body strength.
I also had the opportunity to see some family in Galway before we headed back to Carraroe for the night. I met up with my Aunt Kay, Uncle Pete & cousins Meagan & Kathleen for dinner (IN IRELAND). Our trips happened to overlap, and we had beed trying to work something out for a while. I am so glad we were able to finally meet up and catch up before the headed out.
Let's go to the beach-each
Yesterday, I went on a run and ran to Trá an Doilín, which is the Coral Beach. It is named that because the entire beach is made out of coral and is a blue flag beach! The picture that is on my main blog page to the left is actually one of the Coral Beach.
Today I went on a beach run...meaning I ran to all three beaches & back home. Totaling to 14 miles. Woof, right? Well I still am training for the marathon for some crazy reason. But training in Ireland - I'd take that any day. On my run I decided to take selfies at each of the beaches. Check 'em out!
MILE 2.25 - Bharr an Doire
I have met some pretty incredible people while being here on my program. My housemates are so awesome. I've really enjoyed getting to know them. We are all so diverse and have become one big family. I have also enjoyed getting to know people outside of my house. Beth's housemates are also the bomb.com. They've even gone as far as call me an honory member of their house. Beth & I have created a blog with Nicole & Julia (two of her housemates). Here is a link to that...http://angsting-around-ireland.tumblr.com/ . Enjoy! I have also loved bonding with my fellow classmates. We have had some pretty great memories in that class. Below are some pictures of my housemates & other frands.
I guess Beth is my friend, too...
Upcoming adventures...Tomorrow I will be heading to the Aran Islands and this weekend to Dublin. I also plan to go on some walks around Carraoe, head back to the beaches, hit up the bpubs a few more times, and make it to a few more sessions. I really just plan to make the most of these last 10 days.
Other random things going on with me in Ireland...My housemates & I hit up the "night club" T-Josie's this weekend. Let's just say it's a hotel common area turned into a night club in the evening (with a disco ball) #awk. My love for tea has grown exponentially since being here. I don't know whether I will come back having gained or lost weight. The home-cooked meals are literally to die for. And there is dessert after dinner every night. BUT we walk almost everywhere, and I run lots. So it's a toss up, we'll see. With that being said, I've really been craving Buffalo Wild Wings and Portillo's - so I'll be hitting those up right when I get back to the states.
The other day I was just walking around and all I wanted to do was just stand there and take everything in. I can take a million pictures (and trust me I have), but not one could capture the pure beauty of this country. I try to embed everything I see into my mind. I am so happy to be here and to have this experience, but I miss Ireland already, and I'm not even gone. I KNOW I will be back again. As always, check my Facebook for a million more pictures - you won't be sorry. Be on the lookout for another blog this week with some videos I've taken this trip.
Slán go foill. Goodbye for now!
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