A Visit To Scotland

Some friends and I traveled to Scotland last weekend! It was beautiful! Edinburgh was very similar to Dublin with a big city feel about it. And yes, they diffenitely played up the plaid skirts and bagpipes thing. We saw about 5 different guys just hanging out in the streets playing there bagpipes in full Scottish attire- kilt and all. It was great. We finally made it to our hostel after getting off the one hour flight from Dublin, changing all of our euros to pounds, and dragging out suitcases through town. On our first night we went to the three sisters bar which was a lot of fun. Met some cool people (that were drinking out of sand pals?). In the morning we visited the Edinburgh castle:

Here is our group on the castle grounds. A great view of Scotland in the background. From the left: Chelsea, Becca, Alex, Vanessa, and me. Below is the first panorama I've ever made of photoshop. 

Beautiful! It rained all morning so I was really excited when it finally cleared up enough to get this shot. We also visited the Holyrood house which is where the queen of England stays when she and the prince visit Scotland! On Sunday we went to Roselyn which is where the Holy Grail was discovered in Da Vinci Code! Unfortunately we were unable to take pictures inside. After that we climbed this really tall tower that is right by city centre. It was a small tower with what seemed like a never ending spiral staircase. And what worse, the stairs got skinnier and skinnier as we ascended. Here are a few pics:

This is the tower

 

Now, back to work in Galway. It is finals week!!! I have already had one paper due and two presentations. Now I have an 8 page paper in Irish Myth and an exam in Irish Literature still to go. All done by tomorrow though. I am going to enjoy my last two nights in Galway and then its back to Dublin to catch a plain to HOME SWEET HOME!! =] 

So Much To See So Little Time

We have been busy busy busy over here in Galway. I feel like there is hardly time to update my blog with all of this traveling, reading for class, and of course- enjoying Galway night life! Let me catch you up:

Possibly my favorite place so far has been the Aran Islands which are right off the main Island (not to far from Galway and Connemara).

This place was absolutely GORGEOUS!! The pictures I took will never do it justice. But as you can tell it is different than your typical island image. The coast consisted of these giant cliffs that we walked along. Thats right! Right on the edge of the cliff we ventured what was estimated to be around 6 miles for the day. "Keep your hands out of your pockets!" if you can imagine this in an Irish accent -- that would be our tour guide/ archeologist. We were instructed that if we wanted to look over the edge we were to get on our bellies and crawl to the edge because one swift blow of the wind could send you over! Don't worry mom- I took care to follow his instructions. =] Heres our group hiking along the edge:

This past weekend I went to the cliffs of Mohr which are a lot like the Inis Mor (the island we visited), but its actually on the coast of Connemara and you can just barely see Inis Mor in the pictures!

We walked all the way to the third cliff that juts out. If only I could stay for ever. This place is beyond beautiful. 

Since we don't have classes on Mondays, we went to Connemara for the day and saw a castle and explored other scenic areas. 

Ohh.... did I mention this great place I'm staying.. happens to be a castle (see below). 

HAH... I wish. 

Thats it for now. Hopefully I'll get better at this updating thing. This weekend me and 4 other girls from the trip are flying over to Scotland for the weekend! SOO Stoked! Im sure Ill be taking lots of photos and such. My main goal though is to meet up with someone rockin the plaid kilt!! Can't wait! 

Ireland So Far..

So tomorrow we are going to the beautiful Aren Islands!!!!!! Obviously... I can't wait. Prayin for good weather so I can take some awesome pictures!! Yesterday we went to a "Hurling Match" which was awesome. Hurling is really big over here. We saw some what of a "semi-finials" game in which county clare vs. county Galway. Here's me trying to be cool with a child's hurl (stick that they use to play the game).

Notice the maroon and white cloak I wore down the streets of Galway. Intense. 

So I've been to a few bars now... and basically the bands here just do a bunch of american covers. ie: Sweet Home Alabama (like every night). Which is kinda funny b/c we are actually from the states... listening to a bunch of Irish drunks singing about Alabama... most of which haven't been there. lol. 

Also, some new words/ sayings

Whats the Craic (sounds like crack) basically means what's up? but "craic" can also translate to fun. 

To shift is the same thing as kissing or making out.

If you tell someone to "spare" its like saying you've heard enough... or to shutup.

If you say "sound" it means ok. or you agree with something someone is saying. 

If you ask for a fifth of Captain they will give you the little bottle. 

I've finally gotten used to looking right and then left when crossing the street. And riding in the front left seat when we get a taxi. 95% of Ireland drive a stick shift car. Pretty cool... but I'm positive I wouldn't be able to do it... everything is backwards. You shift towards your body to go to a higher gear. Also, the street signs are all in Kilometers and the lanes are much smaller then the states. 

So far so good. My room mates are awesome. The Irish are friendly. And there is so much fun stuff to do /see everyday. I could stay here forever ;]

One more thing: so we go to a mickey dee's yesterday and they make you pay 50 cents for an extra packet of katchup. Wth? I thought Katchup was like water....

Tomorrow morning we're going to Jail!!! (Gaol if your Irish :P ) and the Guinness factory after that!

Wow, we have been soooo busy these past few days. And yet, there is still so much to see! Yesterday we went to a really famous grave yard where all the famous Irish leaders are buried. It was huge! 

Here I am touching the casket of Daniel O'Connell,  leader of the Irish war for independence. He was the one who set up the whole place and conveniently his grave was in this shine building thing. lol. Kind of morbid... but sweet at the same time! 

Today we visited this huge garden called the Powerscourt. It was beautiful!

This is the GPO (post office), a rebel hotspot during the war. They kept all their weapons in the basement and they announced the declaration for independence in the front of this building.

Thursday June 23

Yesterday we started the field study class in Dublin. It was so awesome getting to walk around and learn about all the old buildings and see how they were important in the Irish war for Independence. We saw the City Hall and Dublin Castle.

This is the inside of city hall where many of the leaders met to discuss their next move against the British.










Next we when to the library inside trinity college to look at the book of Kells. This library was huge and held tons of ancient, hand written books. There were like 10 guards everywhere you looks. Felt like being in National Treasure, only Irish.

The library was two stories high with books covering every inch of every shelf. 

Then we when to St. Stephens Green which is basically like a huge park in the middle of Dublin that has lots of famous statues in it. 

Everything is so GREEN!!! It was awesome. Even just walking around downtown was beautiful because of all the old buildings that were restored. The people are really nice too. And it rains off and on a lot so you always have to carry an umbrella. And as the Irish say "There is no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing". 

"The only time you should look down on somebody is when you are helping them up.

 I ran my own business for many happy years 

until bankruptcy left me with nothing but tears. 

You lose your job, can't pay for rent, 

end up on the streets or even a tent

But everybody deserves another chance in life

To find a job, home, even children and wife.

And there is always hope or so it seems,

So never give in or abandon your dreams

Try to stay positive in everything you do,

The answer to your problems lies within you.

And if you surely believe it you can surely achieve it.

Tough times don't last forever but tough people do

Your life, dreams and destiny are all up to you.

Not all homeless people are lazy or workshy,

Afraid of hard work or even bothering to try.

But I'm the first to hold up my hands and say,

That I've made my fair share of mistakes along the way.

And when I'm down, feel sad and like crying

I never give up or consider to stop trying.

So this is my story I share here today,

I hope it may comfort or inspire you some way.

All I ask is that you read my heartfelt poem,

And take its message with you home.

If you can help in any kind of way,

The drop of a coin will brighten my day"

Elevators

Me: Where's the elevator?

Irish Guy: The alligator? No alligator here. (laughs loudly)

Me: ?? Elevator.

Irish Guy: Oh you mean the lift!?! 

Note to self: Elevator = Lift

I went to dinner at The Arlington Hotel Pub which had some live Irish music. For some reason I thought food in Ireland would be somewhat similar to what we have in Michigan. I was wrong of course. Its gonna take some gettin used to. Another thing about restaurants in Ireland -- its common to take a seat at a strangers table if all other seats are taken. So there I am listening to the music and 3 random people came to my table to sit for dinner. They probably think we are rude for keeping tables to ourselves in the states.

Heres a little Irish jig from the hotel. Notice the "painting" thats on the wall. Periodically the guy would itch his head or adjust his position which the people that sat at my table thought was hilarious....


Sorry the video quality is so terrible!