Getaway: Favorite Irish Adventures

Announcement: my best friend is coming to Ireland! 

At the end of March, the Ravishing L from Richmond is making an enormous trek from Virginia to Cork City for the week, and I have no words to express my enthusiasm. 

We've been talking on and off for weeks about what we should do with her short time here, keeping in mind of course the bestie hibernation that will occur and revolving around her tourist goals and my insider's perspective. I think we finally have a plan, but it's flexible, and I think we're both gearing up for an adventurous week in which snap decisions are made and last minute left-right-or-straight turns are taken. I'm excited.

With all this travel on my mind recently, I had begun working on an Irish bucket list. Just because I live here now doesn't mean that
a) I'll live here forever, and
b) that I can't be a travelling touristing kind of person as well! 

But as I build the bucket list, I have to acknowledge all the beautiful and wonderful places in Ireland that I've already travelled to. So in preparation for my Irish bucket list (which I will hopefully share with you in the next couple of posts), I'd like to share just some of the favorite places in Ireland that I've travelled to thus far.  In no way is this list comprehensive (please see my old blog for more!), but it is reflective of how awesome travelling and adventuring around Ireland can be.

Enjoy! x

Cliffs of Moher, County Clare

The Cliffs of Moher are the perfect tourist destination, but just because they're typical doesn't mean they're not worth the trek! When my mom visited me here in 2010, we took a mini-roadtrip to Clare and Tipperary. The Cliffs are absolutely beautiful, especially in this light. But I think more than half of my love for them stems from the adventures we had on our way!

Belfast, County Antrim, Northern Ireland

On a field trip in 2010, we drove up to Belfast for the weekend. We got a great tour of the city, and we even got to tour the murals on both sides. This wall separates the two residential sides of the city (traditionally, Catholic and Protestant). But on this side of it, people from all over the world have made a mural of peace. Visitors come and write messages of hope, prayer, and peace for Belfast along the wall.

Dingle, County Kerry

This picture was taken when my friends and I trekked out to Dingle for the weekend (we didn't walk there, just when we got there). We had a great adventure in this tiny Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking territory) town. Little did I know that my future housemate would be from Dingle herself. I've been back a few times since x

Giant's Causeway, County Antrim, Northern Ireland

On the same field trip that took us to Belfast, we drove an hour or so outside the city to the Giant's Causeway, a huge natural phenomenon caused by glacier movement thousands of years ago. The walk was crisp and hearty, and the world was beautiful up there. You can see Scotland from the cliff.

The Lake Isle of Innisfree, County Sligo

Ever read Yeats? Well, I wrote my undergraduate research thesis on Yeats' appropriation of the medieval Irish Táin. But I spent a few days driving around Sligo on my own and I saw this sign that said "Lake Isle of Innisfree, 4km". So I took it.

Pearse's Cottage, Ros Muc, County Galway

On the course in Carna, we took a day trip to see Patrick Pearse's cottage. Pearse lived in Dublin full-time for most of his political career, but he kept this cottage in Galway. Seeing the beauty and peacefulness of the place, it makes his sacrifice that much greater. I distinctly remember wandering down to the lake and just lying down on the edge for a while. It was so beautiful.

The Rock of Cashel, Cashel, County Tipperary

Former massive castle slash Church and old bishop's seat, I've been here three times already. It's one of my absolute favorite places, and I'm just not sure why. I've taken the tour there twice, and I've roamed over every piece of ruined rock. From the top of that hill, you can see all of Munster. If you wander down the hill and across a field, there's an old ruined convent as well. Driving along and seeing this place just pop up out of the road is pretty gorgeous.

Slea Head Drive, Dingle, County Kerry

Famous roadway (I'm pretty sure it's part of the "new" Wild Atlantic Way) Slea Head Drive winds along the cliffs near Dingle.

Walking to Fínis Island, Carna, County Galway

Fínis Island is crazy typical touristness for locals in Carna, but being a tourist myself, I couldn't have cared less. On our last day in Carna, we all walked out to Fínis when the tide was low. Only in Galway can you walk to an island.

London Trip

I am an American Magnet. Living in a foreign country in which the similarities amongst the persons of the national population are myriad, I am an expert at picking out those who, like myself, "don't match". That being said, it doesn't necessarily follow that I would attract American friends more easily than anyone else. But I do seem to find and make lifelong friends with more of the only-American-in-the-crowd types than anyone else.

For this I am super grateful. It's one of the best things about living abroad. Every stranger might be a new friend and these friends come with stories and relationships that cross time and circumstance. However, the downside is that many of these cool people, especially the Americans, is that their stint in my newly adopted country is brief, usually only a study-abroad semester. So when one of these friends asked if I wanted to take a little London excursion with him before he left the cold, damp climes of the Isles for the (now snowy but usually) perpetually comfortable temperatures of the Carolinas, of course I said yes! And so it was that three new friends (the two of them only met when we decided to go to London together!) booked a flight for London...

First, our plane was delayed by four hours, cutting our day and a half trip to London down to a day. And somebody who was meant to be guarding our bags with his life just fell asleep.

When we did make it to London, it was already pitch dark (which is to say it was only about 4:30PM). I managed to get ridiculously sick somewhere over the English Channel, so while the lads went out on the town exploring for the night and very actively tried to get me to join them, I "slept" for the night. 

Waking up not at all refreshed, we walked over to the chemist to get something to keep my fever down, and we hit the streets.

Big Ben, of course!

Underground station looking out at the London Eye

Getting this picture of the three of us was a struggle. We had to use my junky phone because the others were scared theirs would be stolen if they asked a stranger to hold it for a minute.

Blackfriars' Bridge

Underneath Blackfriars' Bridge, looking at St. Paul's Cathedral.

Movie-star L in front of the Globe Theatre

"It's the Harry Potter bridge! We have to walk across it!"

"We're not going to walk over to the London Bridge are we?"

St. Paul's Cathedral

"I'm not taking a picture in there; it smells horrible"

Sunset by the London Eye

We're so cold!

The two of them went on the London Eye, but I decided that I wanted to just walk around by myself for twenty minutes instead. They got some great pictures, and we all got to see a perfect London sunset. 

While they were gone, I walked around the Christmas market (yes, this is a very old journey!) I resisted the urge to purchase some mulled wine all by myself. I was still rockin' a fever, after all.

When we met up again, we all walked around the Christmas market together for a while. Then as the temperatures got colder and colder, we decided to walk just a little further (we ended up coming upon Westminster Cathedral) and catching the Tube back to the hostel.

Somehow we rallied ourselves enough to head out for the evening. I don't even remember where we ate or what, so I'm sorry about that. But I do remember very distinctly trying my best to convince the two that I couldn't go out for the evening, that I really was just too sick. And whether it was a good decision or a bad decision in the end, I headed out with them. It was, after all, our last night in London. With a giant bag of chips in hand to split, I happily drank some ginger ale at a few lovely little spots in Camden Town (haha).

I didn't know a picture was being taken. Clearly, someone doesn't want to sit next to me :( 

As soon as I got off the plane back in Cork, I walked right over to the doctor's office. It turns out I had tonsillitis: oops! But it was a great "weekend" nonetheless. Guess sometimes you need some really annoying friends telling you take some more medicine and keep walking! x

A Weekend Southside- A retro post

Last night in an impromptu Skype session, my biffle M and I were baffling over the difference between six months ago and now. Our third biffle was still engaged, we lived in the same state, we were both single and crazy, and we were baffling over what to do with ourselves over the next six months. Now we are living more than 3000 miles apart and still managing to stay invasively involved in the other's life. I'd call that success.

But in thinking over our conversation, I realized that I never posted about our weekend Southside, visiting the bride-to-be and picking out bridesmaids' dresses last April. So as almost a year has past, I feel it is appropriate to share these pictures with you.

So, so, so sunburned. (That happened before we ever got down there, she can't blame our mutual activities.)

The biffles x

The biffles drink. There's a good story about the one on the right.... Stay tuned (it's included below).

Lovely.

Even lovelier

There's something about taking pictures right next to each other: You can't see what the two people beside you are actually doing. Be careful, you might end up cheesing it while your friends do... well who even knows what.

 The night we got down to E's neck of the woods, we hung out that the family restaurant for a few hours and then went to a chill bar to hang out some more. Obviously a little photoshoot erupted, but we didn't scare anyone away. So don't worry. 

And the mason jar story? Well, I went to the bathroom for a couple of minutes, and when I came back out, I took a sip of my beer in the mason jar. Totally normal thing to do, except I spat it out. Because suddenly my beer had become very hot. I don't mean that it was no longer ice cold, nor do I mean that it was like the best beer ever. What I mean was that it was spicy, very, very, spicy. 

With utterly straight faces, everyone at the table tasted the beer when I wouldn't shut up about the weird, new taste. Every single one of them told me they didn't taste anything weird, everyone except one. This one kind soul was the last to taste the beer. He took one taste, looked at me, started laughing and just said, 'Sorry, I can't do this. That actually tastes terrible!' 

When everyone started yelling at him for giving them away, I realized that my 'friends' had put Tabasco hot sauce in my drink while I was away from the table. They all proceeded to spit out the bad taste around the table, and someone bought me a new beer. 

'Friends'! Pah!

I taught them that monkey face.

The happy couple.

The happier couple.

The really happy couple.

 

 The next day, with sore heads and dreading hearts, we went bridesmaids' dress shopping. After trying on literally a hundred dresses (I don't know how we managed honestly), we finally decided. 

At the time, I remember consciously deciding not to post these pictures because I didn't want to ruin the surprise of the dress design. But since you've already seen all the wedding photos, I think it's okay.... 

Then, it was sadly time to say goodbye. With a bug hug, we hit the road.

M showing off her muscles. It's okay, girl, we know you're strong. No need to rub it in!

Red, White, and Blue, Puppy Christmas

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 And Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. As my mother says, the Christmas season lasts until January 6th (but as our tree tends to stay up infinitely longer than that, I think Christmas might last longer, too). 

With the holiday season, many things happen. And things like blogs, school essays, obligatory phone calls, exercise, get thrown to the wayside. With the New Year, all those things kind of pile up in the back of your mind again until you're so stressed you're wondering how you thought holiday shopping was stressful. 

Here we are, landed safely in 2014. We can follow the mode of all the other blogs in a couple of days with some New Year's Resolutions, but for today, I'd love to share some Christmas memories with all of you. 

I landed in Virginia around 10 o'clock on Friday, December 20th, and immediately hopped in the biggest pick-up truck I could find. Home sweet home! 

Christmas flew by with family, friends, and my adorable puppy Angus. It was his first Christmas with us, since last year he was a Christmas present. So I am unable to control the picture taking. 

Brother with puppy

Sister with puppy

Another sister with puppy

Grandmother with puppy

Me with puppy xx

Besides puppy photoshoots, I've gotten to see a bunch of my friends. Me and the bestie met up for some Christmas Eve dining in some fancy clothing. 

Christmas Day was an all around success, with a lovely gifts exchanged, some yummy food cooked, and some tasty bubbly popped. It was a lovely week in Virginia! 

My brother wouldn't let me give him a Christmas kiss

My sister was a little perturbed at having to wait

My sister and I enjoy the scent of brother's new Abercrombie.

Angus' new scarf

Wishing you every blessing over the holiday season and New Year!!