You'd think that after some pretty packed days of running about Ireland that our professors would give us a break when we were back in Dublin, right? Not these guys...
Our bio teacher had us help out a local group (OWLS) as a service project to remove nasty invasive species. Therefore, our Monday morning was spent hacking away at dogwood trees until the early afternoon, but it was all worth it because we received wood pendants with Irish animals stamped on them (I chose a Peregrine Falcon). We effectively helped the group in clearing large amounts of pestering plants and I even played fetch with the dog of the OWLS leader, a fact I was very happy about!
We were then told that it was our responsibility to take a tour of the Kilmainham jail because it was used in the film "In The Name of the Father" with Daniel Day-Lewis. I groaned and griped about it since we already had to study for two exams, but was glad that they asked us to visit. It was really neat to stand in the room where the film was made, and had a vastly different atmosphere than that of Long Kesh-the guide was happy to answer any questions without fear of bad things happening...
The Book of Kells, an excellently-preserved volume, is held at Trinity College, and we were glad to take the tour because we had missed the opportunity in Dublin I. I loved learning about the making of the book as well as other small books that had been preserved from Viking raids way back when, and the Book of Kells (which has a page turned everyday) was great to see as well. It was unfortunate that some tourists decided to spend a ridiculous amount of time in front of it, barring the eyesight of others, so with a quick glance, I then headed up to the Long Library. The gorgeous room could only be described as the library Belle receives in Beauty and the Beast. Stocked with old tomes and encyclopedias and lined with busts of famous scientists, this place was heaven in a room. I snapped a few pics of the room as a whole, some busts, and the oldest harp in Ireland before heading out with my friends to complete some long-awaited souvenir shopping.
I also put homework at a standstill, for something big was approaching: my weekend trip to Edinburgh, Scotland. Who knew that even after traveling across the ocean to come to Ireland that traveling to another Celtic country would be just as nerve-wracking and intensely exciting? Prepare the accents, for Bonnie Scotland awaits!
Monday, May 13, 2013
Triumphant Return
The idea of coming back to Dublin was a very strange one indeed, but I will get to that later for we had several stops on our way. The first was to Trim Castle where we received a wonderful tour of the typical medieval castle and the myth of the Boyne River surrounding it. We saw the models of the construction of Trim throughout the years from functional fort to decorative domicile, and we were even able to stand atop the castle walls and gaze over the old kingdom. Within an hour, we were off to our next destination.
In our literature class, we read a lot of stories that took place in Tara, or the Hill of Kings. The High King of Ireland would live in Tara once chosen by his people, and our professor thought it only right to take us their himself. We walked up what would have once been the grand incline up to the castle and once we saw the legendary Stone of Destiny off in the distance, the majority of us burst into a sprint over the looming hills, for if the Stone screams when you hug it, you are chosen as the new High King. Most of us made our own screaming sounds since the Stone did not, and the rain deterred us from hanging around much longer. We spent a good 40 minutes loitering around the gift shop and cafe before being allowed back on the bus to return to Dublin.
When we arrived here way back in March, the romanticized idea of Ireland hung in our heads and the exhilaration of being away from home made us giddy with touristy excitement. After eight weeks in this beautiful country, we felt a bit different on that bus ride back to the city. We felt wiser and surer of the world and Ireland in particular, no longer the squealing students who arrived searching for shamrocks. Instead, we are more proud based on the experiences we faced in the wide variety of cities and towns, and I commend our professors for designing the trip in this fashion, for there is no doubt they knew this is how we would feel. It was quite the philosophical moment to realize the empowerment that this trip has bestowed upon me, though I may not have noticed it at the time. I am so much more confident and certain of myself, qualities I have yearned for since my freshman year of college, and all of which given to me in the span of eight weeks. I needed Ireland, I needed this trip to prove to myself that I am ready for what life confronts me with, and that there is so much to be seen, wherever you are, if you simply stop and look around. Totally cliche? Perhaps, but sometimes it is the only way to describe the experience with those who haven't truly experienced it.
I hope you all are ready for the new me because I certainly am.
In our literature class, we read a lot of stories that took place in Tara, or the Hill of Kings. The High King of Ireland would live in Tara once chosen by his people, and our professor thought it only right to take us their himself. We walked up what would have once been the grand incline up to the castle and once we saw the legendary Stone of Destiny off in the distance, the majority of us burst into a sprint over the looming hills, for if the Stone screams when you hug it, you are chosen as the new High King. Most of us made our own screaming sounds since the Stone did not, and the rain deterred us from hanging around much longer. We spent a good 40 minutes loitering around the gift shop and cafe before being allowed back on the bus to return to Dublin.
When we arrived here way back in March, the romanticized idea of Ireland hung in our heads and the exhilaration of being away from home made us giddy with touristy excitement. After eight weeks in this beautiful country, we felt a bit different on that bus ride back to the city. We felt wiser and surer of the world and Ireland in particular, no longer the squealing students who arrived searching for shamrocks. Instead, we are more proud based on the experiences we faced in the wide variety of cities and towns, and I commend our professors for designing the trip in this fashion, for there is no doubt they knew this is how we would feel. It was quite the philosophical moment to realize the empowerment that this trip has bestowed upon me, though I may not have noticed it at the time. I am so much more confident and certain of myself, qualities I have yearned for since my freshman year of college, and all of which given to me in the span of eight weeks. I needed Ireland, I needed this trip to prove to myself that I am ready for what life confronts me with, and that there is so much to be seen, wherever you are, if you simply stop and look around. Totally cliche? Perhaps, but sometimes it is the only way to describe the experience with those who haven't truly experienced it.
I hope you all are ready for the new me because I certainly am.
Belfast Blonde
Though we only spent four days in Belfast, those days were action-packed; our professors scheduled as many things as possible so that we weren't wandering around the streets of this potentially dangerous city. We settled into our hotel (and surviving without internet since it cost 10 pounds for 24 hours-the equivalent of $15!), but the next day we were shipped off to the Giant's Causeway, and incredible geological phenomenon that is bursting with mythological history. The rocks themselves are hexagonal and igneous (meaning made from magma), but the story is much more interesting. Legendary hero Finn Mac Cumhaill was threatened by a giant from Scotland, for the giant was going to cross the land bridge (the Causeway) to demolish this hero. Finn, knowing that he could never physically defeat the giant, strategically covered himself in baby's clothing. When the giant came looking for Finn, Finn's wife showed him the "baby", and the giant was terrified of this strangely manly infant. Fearing that Finn would be even greater, the giant ran back to Scotland, destroying the land bridge that is now the Causeway with him.
The sights from the Causeway were stunning, and a few of us ventured further along the marked paths until coming across a closed-off section. Did we turn back? Of course not! We hopped the fence and found ourselves surrounded by the Ampitheatre feature of the landscape, and even added a bit of graffiti to the fencing along the way.
The next day, we went on two tours of Belfast, one by an ex-IRA member and the other from a Protestant-raised community worker. The first was mainly to see the murals and memorials constructed for the Catholic Irish, but the second was much more emotional as the Protestant guide showed us the "peace walls" dividing Catholics and Protestants both physically and mentally. He also drove us to the sight where an IRA bombing took place and he had to unearth dozens of people from the rubble of a well-known shop. Seeing both sides of a conflict reinforces the senseless fighting that occurs over the problems of the past.
Following the tours, we spent hours at Queen's University where a local professor gave us a lecture on natural history of Ireland. I was excited at first to be in an Irish university, but after about 2 hours, I lost my interest in bogs and geological changes...Thankfully, the lecture ended and we escaped to visit the Botanical Gardens and spend time in the quad with Irish university students, a much preferred option.
Finally, our last day included a privilege: a tour of Long Kesh/The Maze, a prison used in the 1970s-1980s to house political prisoners, especially Bobby Sands who began the 1981 hunger strike and died as a result of Margaret Thatcher's apathy toward the Irish. Our tour guide informed us of the history of the prison, and only going into slightly more detail later when we stood in the room that Bobby Sands died in. Our guide whispered to us that she isn't supposed to let us know this information because when she gives these tours to Loyalists, they sometimes clap and cheer when hearing the history of the hunger strikers, and some of the security officers following us on the tours were ex-prison guards, so she had to watch her words carefully. This is a strangely amazing thing, to truly see how the segregation of groups exists decades after the conflict occurred.
To end our days in the North, a group of us decided to at least check out the pub scene in the town before leaving, so we spent our final hours in the famous Crown Bar where we drank some Belfast Blondes and toasted the city.
The sights from the Causeway were stunning, and a few of us ventured further along the marked paths until coming across a closed-off section. Did we turn back? Of course not! We hopped the fence and found ourselves surrounded by the Ampitheatre feature of the landscape, and even added a bit of graffiti to the fencing along the way.
The next day, we went on two tours of Belfast, one by an ex-IRA member and the other from a Protestant-raised community worker. The first was mainly to see the murals and memorials constructed for the Catholic Irish, but the second was much more emotional as the Protestant guide showed us the "peace walls" dividing Catholics and Protestants both physically and mentally. He also drove us to the sight where an IRA bombing took place and he had to unearth dozens of people from the rubble of a well-known shop. Seeing both sides of a conflict reinforces the senseless fighting that occurs over the problems of the past.
Following the tours, we spent hours at Queen's University where a local professor gave us a lecture on natural history of Ireland. I was excited at first to be in an Irish university, but after about 2 hours, I lost my interest in bogs and geological changes...Thankfully, the lecture ended and we escaped to visit the Botanical Gardens and spend time in the quad with Irish university students, a much preferred option.
Finally, our last day included a privilege: a tour of Long Kesh/The Maze, a prison used in the 1970s-1980s to house political prisoners, especially Bobby Sands who began the 1981 hunger strike and died as a result of Margaret Thatcher's apathy toward the Irish. Our tour guide informed us of the history of the prison, and only going into slightly more detail later when we stood in the room that Bobby Sands died in. Our guide whispered to us that she isn't supposed to let us know this information because when she gives these tours to Loyalists, they sometimes clap and cheer when hearing the history of the hunger strikers, and some of the security officers following us on the tours were ex-prison guards, so she had to watch her words carefully. This is a strangely amazing thing, to truly see how the segregation of groups exists decades after the conflict occurred.
To end our days in the North, a group of us decided to at least check out the pub scene in the town before leaving, so we spent our final hours in the famous Crown Bar where we drank some Belfast Blondes and toasted the city.
Saturday, May 4, 2013
"If You Have Something To Say...Don't Say It"
The advice given to us by our anthropology teacher as we made our way up into Derry-Londonderry before reaching Belfast. Notice the weird double name? Prepare yourselves...
Most people associate Ireland's "bad times" with the devastating Potato Famine in the 19th century, but not many know the history behind the Troubles. Claims have been staked in the Ulster region of Ireland for years and years, and Great Britain's arrival brought with it the new Protestant Faith. Wars between the posh British Protestants and the hardy republican Catholics raged ever on in the north, which is why this area remains part of the United Kingdom instead of Ireland. To this day, Protestants and Catholics live divided lives from one another, and if they do come into contact...watch out.
Derry (the republican name) and Londonderry (the loyalist name) are two names for the same town, and still argued to this day. In order to enforce this point, our professors had us booked for two tours in the city: the first to the Apprentice Boys museum and the second to the Free Derry museum. The former comes from the history of 13 young lads who closed the gates of Londonderry to the troops of King James II, a favorite of Irish Catholics, and therefore a Protestant history. Known as the Siege of Derry, the famous saying "No Surrender!" can still be seen along Protestant buildings to reinforce the kind of neighborhood you're in...and for Catholics to stay out. The latter tour down on the Bogside of Derry was led by a man whose brother was the first person to die in the event known as Bloody Sunday. On January 30th, 1972 brought the deaths of 13 Irish Catholics at the hands of British soldiers, and the museum stands to not only remember those who died, but to inform the public that the Irish men were murdered for they had no weapons. It was a very powerful thing to see the bloodstained bandages of the guide's brother as well as hateful letters sent by British soldiers to the families of the dead proclaimed that their victims deserved to die. Seeing both sides of history in one day was unbelievable...
The Troubles is not something to be messed around with, so the warning stood to mind what you say, or even better to not say anything at all. Derry-Londonderry was a significant stop in order to prepare us for the even stronger message we were about to find out in Belfast.
Most people associate Ireland's "bad times" with the devastating Potato Famine in the 19th century, but not many know the history behind the Troubles. Claims have been staked in the Ulster region of Ireland for years and years, and Great Britain's arrival brought with it the new Protestant Faith. Wars between the posh British Protestants and the hardy republican Catholics raged ever on in the north, which is why this area remains part of the United Kingdom instead of Ireland. To this day, Protestants and Catholics live divided lives from one another, and if they do come into contact...watch out.
Derry (the republican name) and Londonderry (the loyalist name) are two names for the same town, and still argued to this day. In order to enforce this point, our professors had us booked for two tours in the city: the first to the Apprentice Boys museum and the second to the Free Derry museum. The former comes from the history of 13 young lads who closed the gates of Londonderry to the troops of King James II, a favorite of Irish Catholics, and therefore a Protestant history. Known as the Siege of Derry, the famous saying "No Surrender!" can still be seen along Protestant buildings to reinforce the kind of neighborhood you're in...and for Catholics to stay out. The latter tour down on the Bogside of Derry was led by a man whose brother was the first person to die in the event known as Bloody Sunday. On January 30th, 1972 brought the deaths of 13 Irish Catholics at the hands of British soldiers, and the museum stands to not only remember those who died, but to inform the public that the Irish men were murdered for they had no weapons. It was a very powerful thing to see the bloodstained bandages of the guide's brother as well as hateful letters sent by British soldiers to the families of the dead proclaimed that their victims deserved to die. Seeing both sides of history in one day was unbelievable...
The Troubles is not something to be messed around with, so the warning stood to mind what you say, or even better to not say anything at all. Derry-Londonderry was a significant stop in order to prepare us for the even stronger message we were about to find out in Belfast.
Perfection
Some days catch us in frustrated moods due to internet issues and harsh homework loads, but the three days we spent in Sligo was a vacation in heaven.
On the way to our hotel, we stopped at Aughnanure Castle which had several dogs running around the grounds (win) and then Connemara National Park where our tour guide brought us out onto bogland. The classic Irish bog was perfectly wet and springy as we sloshed through the tour. We almost began nodding off when the guide began passing around peat turf, but those Irish clouds returned with a vengeance. Again, it took only minutes for the rain to catch us, and we climbed up the steep hillside like Simba on Pride Rock at the end of The Lion King. But, like the movie, we were rewarded with the most beautiful view. Surrounded by Irish mountains, gorse bushes, flocks of sheep, and grassy fields, the sun shone out on the breathtaking National Park. I will never forget standing atop the hill as the winds died down and the rain left us, and staring in absolute amazement at the scene below me. I even stopped walking, turned to my friends, and exclaimed: "Look where we ARE!" It was a scene from a fairy tale as we crunched down the gravelly path to end the tour.
But the beauty didn't stop there...
The remainder of the ride to the hotel will be etched into my memory forever. Mountains covered in flowers and tough soil soaring above us as the bluest of blue lakes lay at their feet. We even stopped briefly to take scenic pics of Kylemore Abbey (I tried posting pictures, but the uploading isn't working for some reason D:) and saw the bar from the Irish movie "The Field" as we passed through Connemara to Sligo.
We reached our wonderful Glasshouse hotel, for even though the color painted on the rooms was a burnt orange or a bright lime green, the food was delightful and the internet was free! Oh Sligo, you are too wonderful!
Our professor took us to the Carrowmore tombs the following day as well as Knocknarea, the resting place of the Irish legend Queen Medb. Supposedly, the queen is buried at the top of Knocknarea under a cairn dressed in full battle armor and standing up! She is facing her enemies in Ulster (or the north) in case they return to take her lands. Lesson learned: Irish women were as badass as the guys!
We were allowed one day to explore the town on our own, so we simply found a pretty trail along the lake as well as a field of daffodils that we frolicked through. Not to mention we saw the abbey that Bram Stoker grew up near, and where he got his inspiration for some book from his mother about people who popped out of their graves at night. Dracula, was it?
And, at the end of our stay in Sligo, I officially purchased my plane ticket to travel outside of Ireland while in the general vicinity. The destination....?
Edinburgh, Scotland.
YES.
On the way to our hotel, we stopped at Aughnanure Castle which had several dogs running around the grounds (win) and then Connemara National Park where our tour guide brought us out onto bogland. The classic Irish bog was perfectly wet and springy as we sloshed through the tour. We almost began nodding off when the guide began passing around peat turf, but those Irish clouds returned with a vengeance. Again, it took only minutes for the rain to catch us, and we climbed up the steep hillside like Simba on Pride Rock at the end of The Lion King. But, like the movie, we were rewarded with the most beautiful view. Surrounded by Irish mountains, gorse bushes, flocks of sheep, and grassy fields, the sun shone out on the breathtaking National Park. I will never forget standing atop the hill as the winds died down and the rain left us, and staring in absolute amazement at the scene below me. I even stopped walking, turned to my friends, and exclaimed: "Look where we ARE!" It was a scene from a fairy tale as we crunched down the gravelly path to end the tour.
But the beauty didn't stop there...
The remainder of the ride to the hotel will be etched into my memory forever. Mountains covered in flowers and tough soil soaring above us as the bluest of blue lakes lay at their feet. We even stopped briefly to take scenic pics of Kylemore Abbey (I tried posting pictures, but the uploading isn't working for some reason D:) and saw the bar from the Irish movie "The Field" as we passed through Connemara to Sligo.
We reached our wonderful Glasshouse hotel, for even though the color painted on the rooms was a burnt orange or a bright lime green, the food was delightful and the internet was free! Oh Sligo, you are too wonderful!
Our professor took us to the Carrowmore tombs the following day as well as Knocknarea, the resting place of the Irish legend Queen Medb. Supposedly, the queen is buried at the top of Knocknarea under a cairn dressed in full battle armor and standing up! She is facing her enemies in Ulster (or the north) in case they return to take her lands. Lesson learned: Irish women were as badass as the guys!
We were allowed one day to explore the town on our own, so we simply found a pretty trail along the lake as well as a field of daffodils that we frolicked through. Not to mention we saw the abbey that Bram Stoker grew up near, and where he got his inspiration for some book from his mother about people who popped out of their graves at night. Dracula, was it?
And, at the end of our stay in Sligo, I officially purchased my plane ticket to travel outside of Ireland while in the general vicinity. The destination....?
Edinburgh, Scotland.
YES.
Goodbye Galway, Hello Sligo!
Sorry about the delay in posts, folks! Homework combined with brief visits to various cities (both done with horrible internet connections) have left my brain scrambled with priorities. Now that I have some time, here's what you've missed:
Our two glorious weeks in Galway sadly came to an end. We took three tests and our classes in the Jury's Inn bar (I made sure to sit right in front of the Guinness tap!), and suddenly and onslaught of complaints was brought up concerning our workload for this trip. I understand that this is an academic experience overall, but when you have tests on the same day that count for the majority of your grade, it kinda sucks to have to only see Ireland from your hotel window while reading horrible accounts of rock formations. God help us. Somehow we managed to survive it, and make the most or our stay.
Two days after our dreaded midterms were over, we took a ferry over to Inishmor, the largest of the three Aran Islands. The boat ride over was supposed to be smooth sailing according to our professor, but giant waves turned it into a fun roller coaster ride for most of us, and a puke fest for others. Upon arrival, we had bikes rented and ready to go for us, and our teachers informed us of Dun Aengus, a well-preserved ring fort on the opposite end of the island that we should try to reach. My group of friends decided to make a quick stop to the Aran Woolen Market where we each purchased our individualized Aran sweaters before beginning our journey to the fort. Let me pause briefly to note that riding my bike along the coastal shore of Inishmor was perhaps the most glorifying thing I have ever done and probably will do again when I return to Ireland. It was majestically beautiful, quiet, and full of salty sea air. Well, it was until we noticed the giant Irish rain cloud headed our way. Within minutes, the strong but enjoyable winds turned to vicious attackers: it slanted the rain at us and jabbed at our faces like a million tiny needles. We took shelter in the ruins of a building and endured the lessened storm until it passed by as quickly as it came. Soaked and laughing, we decided to try to make it a bit further until we were hit again and turned tail for the town. We saw a few seals on the way back and finally took shelter in an adorable cafe where we ate our hearts out. With a few hours left before the ferry was to return to the mainland (only 1 ferry ride a day that arrives and leaves with the tide), we headed in a different direction to a deserted beach to enjoy the sea. However, on the sand dunes we found the cutest little dog the ran through the waves and chased after shells that we tossed for him. We named him Naoise after the Irish story of Deidre, and he followed us into town as we decided what to do with the lost pup. Making our way back to the Aran Market and saving Naoise from oncoming tour buses, we found out that he is a local wanderer that everyone knows as Guinness due to his black and brown markings. Guinness then disappeared around a corner with some Asian tourists as we made our way to the ferry. Another incredible ride over the high seas found us back to Ireland where we swiftly fell asleep on the bus back to Galway.
On Tuesday, April 23rd, we were shuttled out to the infamous Burren, a landscape made up of karst limestone (so many geology readings...) that looks intimidatingly barren and eerie. However, the flora of this area is the richest in the entirety of Ireland! Our bio professor set up a meeting with an archeologist/stone mason to teach us dry mI tasonry in order to help repair a farmer's stone wall. We learned quickly, for as soon as we drove out to the site, the most difficult part proved to be just getting to the wall itself! We stacked large stones on top of dips in the wall, and it is actually important that there is space between the rocks because if there isn't, strong winds will actually knock over close stones. Instead, gaps provide aerodynamic escapes for gusts, which is why many stone walls have been up for hundreds of years! The ancient Irishmen continue to impress...
Once the wall was completed, our guide led us up the landscape-a difficult climb indeed-and to a ring fort located at the top of the site. Again, we got to see the results of a true architect: the fort itself has no adhesive to keep rocks together! Perhaps we'll be good enough to build something like that one day!
The climb back down was more terrifying than going up; steep sides caused us to slip and slide down grassy patches until, bruised and fatigued, we made it to an area close to the bottom where our guide pointed out the words "EIRE" made out of stones. These words mean "Ireland", and were used to notify German pilots in WW2 that the land they were flying over and potentially trying to bomb was not their intended target (Britain). It was amazing to see that these signs were still present on the Irish coast even after half a century of wear and tear.
Two final notes on Galway: a friend asked us to accompany her to Athenry where she could visit a holy well for her senior project as well as a heritage center that taught people some archery and history of the town (known for the song The Fields of Athenry). Archery? HECK YES! A large group of us headed there where I discovered I am an excellent archer (making the middle of the target twice!), a competitive maze runner, and a knight in shining armor. That's right: along with the tour of the heritage center, we got to dress up as ladies or knights, and there was no way I was trading chain mail and swords in for a gown! The tour was phenomenal as we learned of weaponry and country life, and a stop at a local cafe ended our day at Athenry.
On our last day in Galway, we walked around town finding a light house in the distance and then hit up several bars (Bierhaus, The Spanish Arch, and The Quays) before dancing all night in a cozy nightclub called the Electric Garden. It was the perfect end to an exciting stay in probably the greatest city in Ireland.
Next up, Sligo!
Our two glorious weeks in Galway sadly came to an end. We took three tests and our classes in the Jury's Inn bar (I made sure to sit right in front of the Guinness tap!), and suddenly and onslaught of complaints was brought up concerning our workload for this trip. I understand that this is an academic experience overall, but when you have tests on the same day that count for the majority of your grade, it kinda sucks to have to only see Ireland from your hotel window while reading horrible accounts of rock formations. God help us. Somehow we managed to survive it, and make the most or our stay.
Two days after our dreaded midterms were over, we took a ferry over to Inishmor, the largest of the three Aran Islands. The boat ride over was supposed to be smooth sailing according to our professor, but giant waves turned it into a fun roller coaster ride for most of us, and a puke fest for others. Upon arrival, we had bikes rented and ready to go for us, and our teachers informed us of Dun Aengus, a well-preserved ring fort on the opposite end of the island that we should try to reach. My group of friends decided to make a quick stop to the Aran Woolen Market where we each purchased our individualized Aran sweaters before beginning our journey to the fort. Let me pause briefly to note that riding my bike along the coastal shore of Inishmor was perhaps the most glorifying thing I have ever done and probably will do again when I return to Ireland. It was majestically beautiful, quiet, and full of salty sea air. Well, it was until we noticed the giant Irish rain cloud headed our way. Within minutes, the strong but enjoyable winds turned to vicious attackers: it slanted the rain at us and jabbed at our faces like a million tiny needles. We took shelter in the ruins of a building and endured the lessened storm until it passed by as quickly as it came. Soaked and laughing, we decided to try to make it a bit further until we were hit again and turned tail for the town. We saw a few seals on the way back and finally took shelter in an adorable cafe where we ate our hearts out. With a few hours left before the ferry was to return to the mainland (only 1 ferry ride a day that arrives and leaves with the tide), we headed in a different direction to a deserted beach to enjoy the sea. However, on the sand dunes we found the cutest little dog the ran through the waves and chased after shells that we tossed for him. We named him Naoise after the Irish story of Deidre, and he followed us into town as we decided what to do with the lost pup. Making our way back to the Aran Market and saving Naoise from oncoming tour buses, we found out that he is a local wanderer that everyone knows as Guinness due to his black and brown markings. Guinness then disappeared around a corner with some Asian tourists as we made our way to the ferry. Another incredible ride over the high seas found us back to Ireland where we swiftly fell asleep on the bus back to Galway.
On Tuesday, April 23rd, we were shuttled out to the infamous Burren, a landscape made up of karst limestone (so many geology readings...) that looks intimidatingly barren and eerie. However, the flora of this area is the richest in the entirety of Ireland! Our bio professor set up a meeting with an archeologist/stone mason to teach us dry mI tasonry in order to help repair a farmer's stone wall. We learned quickly, for as soon as we drove out to the site, the most difficult part proved to be just getting to the wall itself! We stacked large stones on top of dips in the wall, and it is actually important that there is space between the rocks because if there isn't, strong winds will actually knock over close stones. Instead, gaps provide aerodynamic escapes for gusts, which is why many stone walls have been up for hundreds of years! The ancient Irishmen continue to impress...
Once the wall was completed, our guide led us up the landscape-a difficult climb indeed-and to a ring fort located at the top of the site. Again, we got to see the results of a true architect: the fort itself has no adhesive to keep rocks together! Perhaps we'll be good enough to build something like that one day!
The climb back down was more terrifying than going up; steep sides caused us to slip and slide down grassy patches until, bruised and fatigued, we made it to an area close to the bottom where our guide pointed out the words "EIRE" made out of stones. These words mean "Ireland", and were used to notify German pilots in WW2 that the land they were flying over and potentially trying to bomb was not their intended target (Britain). It was amazing to see that these signs were still present on the Irish coast even after half a century of wear and tear.
Two final notes on Galway: a friend asked us to accompany her to Athenry where she could visit a holy well for her senior project as well as a heritage center that taught people some archery and history of the town (known for the song The Fields of Athenry). Archery? HECK YES! A large group of us headed there where I discovered I am an excellent archer (making the middle of the target twice!), a competitive maze runner, and a knight in shining armor. That's right: along with the tour of the heritage center, we got to dress up as ladies or knights, and there was no way I was trading chain mail and swords in for a gown! The tour was phenomenal as we learned of weaponry and country life, and a stop at a local cafe ended our day at Athenry.
On our last day in Galway, we walked around town finding a light house in the distance and then hit up several bars (Bierhaus, The Spanish Arch, and The Quays) before dancing all night in a cozy nightclub called the Electric Garden. It was the perfect end to an exciting stay in probably the greatest city in Ireland.
Next up, Sligo!
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Claddaghs and Sea Captains
Our first stop out in the streets of Galway was to a Claddagh shop considering Galway is a stone's throw away from the village of Claddagh itself. Claddagh rings are a classic Irish symbol representing love, loyalty, and friendship through the ring's design of a heart wearing a crown whilst being held by a pair of hands. I had already bought my Claddagh ring in Ennis simply because I figured it would cost way less there than in the heart of where the ring was originated, and I only wanted a simple sterling silver design. Therefore, as my friends searched away for their personal Claddaghs, my attention was caught by another ring entirely: a sterling silver ring with a Connemara marble stone and sided by trinity markings. I went to bed with the thoughts of that ring in my mind, so the following day I knew I had to buy it!
By lunchtime, we were starving and since the food at our hotel ABSOLUTELY SUCKS, we found a Papa John's and feasted like kings. For 5 euros apiece, we were rewarded with: 1 sausage and pepperoni pizza, a box of garlic bread, 4 pieces of chicken, a handful of fries, and a 1.5 liter of Coca-Cola. 'Merica.
Anywho's...we couldn't stay out long because the following day was a biology test :( We can't complain too much, however, because we got to take our test in the hotel's bar since there was no other room to do it. I sat myself at the counter right in front of the Guinness tap to solidify the awesomeness of it all. The test went well, and we remained in the bar for our classes.
On Thursday we had a dolphin-watching session planned for our bio class, and with our professor's record of that previous boat tour (see "Christ on a Bike" blog), our apprehension was at an all-time high. Fortunately, it turned out to be the BEST experience of the trip so far! Our boat, the "Draiocht" (meaning magic in Gaelic), took off from the Shannon River early in the morning and took about an hour to reach the heart of the estuary, but the patience was well rewarded. Bottlenose dolphins began popping out of the water like daisies! We all tried clicking away with our cameras, but we were pretty sure that these dolphin were druids because within a second they were back underwater. Yet it taught us to take in the experience instead of wait for the perfect photo. It was more incredible to see these genetically discrete dolphins of the Shanon Estuary than it ever was at the Brookfield Zoo dolphin shows. Our lit teacher was especially ecstatic and yelled/pointed every time a dolphin surfaced. Once the dolphins made their way out to sea, the boat took another course near a cliffside where Ireland ends and the ocean begins. We came up close and personal to the cliffs, though luckily far enough from these gorgeous waves that crashed majestically against the cliff. We loitered there for a bit, and made our way back with the wind blowing the salty sea air through our hair. Well, at least for most of us. A good handful of people stuck towards the back of the boat and puked their guts out. Glad I wasn't one of them. Instead, my lit teacher and I decided we should have a fishing business just so we could live on the waves!
Galway itself is the perfect combination of Dublin's city with Killarney's intimacy: people are rushing about the town, but they weren't totally driven by that sense of purpose. It's literally a breath of fresh air to walk along the River Corrib and then run into town to check out clothing boutiques, bookstores, and jewelry shops. I love it here so much. Ireland has utterly stolen my heart.
Anywho's...we couldn't stay out long because the following day was a biology test :( We can't complain too much, however, because we got to take our test in the hotel's bar since there was no other room to do it. I sat myself at the counter right in front of the Guinness tap to solidify the awesomeness of it all. The test went well, and we remained in the bar for our classes.
On Thursday we had a dolphin-watching session planned for our bio class, and with our professor's record of that previous boat tour (see "Christ on a Bike" blog), our apprehension was at an all-time high. Fortunately, it turned out to be the BEST experience of the trip so far! Our boat, the "Draiocht" (meaning magic in Gaelic), took off from the Shannon River early in the morning and took about an hour to reach the heart of the estuary, but the patience was well rewarded. Bottlenose dolphins began popping out of the water like daisies! We all tried clicking away with our cameras, but we were pretty sure that these dolphin were druids because within a second they were back underwater. Yet it taught us to take in the experience instead of wait for the perfect photo. It was more incredible to see these genetically discrete dolphins of the Shanon Estuary than it ever was at the Brookfield Zoo dolphin shows. Our lit teacher was especially ecstatic and yelled/pointed every time a dolphin surfaced. Once the dolphins made their way out to sea, the boat took another course near a cliffside where Ireland ends and the ocean begins. We came up close and personal to the cliffs, though luckily far enough from these gorgeous waves that crashed majestically against the cliff. We loitered there for a bit, and made our way back with the wind blowing the salty sea air through our hair. Well, at least for most of us. A good handful of people stuck towards the back of the boat and puked their guts out. Glad I wasn't one of them. Instead, my lit teacher and I decided we should have a fishing business just so we could live on the waves!
Galway itself is the perfect combination of Dublin's city with Killarney's intimacy: people are rushing about the town, but they weren't totally driven by that sense of purpose. It's literally a breath of fresh air to walk along the River Corrib and then run into town to check out clothing boutiques, bookstores, and jewelry shops. I love it here so much. Ireland has utterly stolen my heart.
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