Ireland is Ourland

I just can't say enough good about this place! 

I've already discussed the landscape and facts about this majestic country, but I have yet to talk about my personal experiences from my trip! 

After taking our last finals in Maastricht, Carissa and I flew from Brussels into Dublin on the night of March 31st. When we got to Dublin, it was after midnight, and we took the last bus from the airport to O'Connell Street in the city center. When we got there, we had no clue where our hostel was. We were standing on the street, looking like the lost tourists we made fun of, and all of the sudden a sweet lady come up and asked if she could help us out. (What a great start to the week...I love this place already!) She walked us all the way to our hostel, making conversation and giving us advice on good places to go and see in the city. She kissed us goodbye and wished us a great stay in Dublin. I knew I was going to like it here. 

The next morning, Carissa and I grabbed breakfast at O'Brian's cafe, and caught the early bus right back to the airport to meet my parents! We hadn't seen them since we waved goodbye at the airport in Dallas more than two months beforehand, so we were all really excited! We ran to meet them (yes, cheesy, whatever) and exchanged our hello's and hugs as we walked to get a rental car. Dad signed the papers and we walked out to find our car.....I guess Dad hadn't really thought through the whole "European car" idea, because he went pale when he realized he would be driving on the opposite side of the road AND the opposite side of the car. OHHH boy. Dad kind of chuckled as he packed in the luggage into the not-so-spacious trunk and climbed into the "wrong side" of the car. Needless to say, Mom, Carissa, and I were TERRIFIED. 

If you've ever watched The Holiday with Cameron Diaz, you know what I'm talking about. While the whole "driving on the opposite side of the road" experience looks funny, it's actually horrifying! Everything your instincts tell you, everything you've learned, it's all wrong! (During the course of one week in Ireland, we almost died at least 10 times. If you ever decide to drive in the UK, just be forewarned. 

When we finally made it to our hotel, (we circled it at least four times, but couldn't figure out where to park with no parking lot). We decided to walk around the city and go sight-seeing. We ran into an Irish preacher along the way, and he walked us to the city center and swapped stories with my "Preacher dad." Again, we were humbled by the Irish sense of hospitality, even in the big city. We saw Temple Bar, Dublin Castle, Christ's Church, and went inside St. Patrick's Cathedral. 

St. Patrick's Cathedral

Inside St. Patrick's Cathedral

After touring the amazing and beautiful church, we asked around for a good dinner spot. We ended up at a pub called "Bull & Castle," and Mom and Dad had their first experience with traditional meals in the UK. We all ordered fish and chips, served with mushy peas. (Yes, this sounds weird...and you're right....it is.) 

After dinner, Mom was determined to find a Starbucks, (and she thinks she's not addicted). 

After a bit of a search, we found one in the middle of the city, grabbed some frapps and walked back to our hotel. At one point, an Irish man on the street laughed at us with our Starbucks and said, "Hello Americans, enjoy Dublin!" (How can they tell?? Haha!) 

Mom and Dad fell right to sleep at about 7 p.m. Jet lag had done them in. 

Glendalough

The next day, we had breakfast at the hotel and then set off for our next town: Kinsale. Before we went to Kinsale, we stopped at the monastic ruins in the town of Glendalough. It was absolutely gorgeous! In this countryside are the 6th century ruins of the monastic settlement of St. Kevin, the hermit monk. This is also where Braveheart was filmed! My family and I hiked, took pictures, had a lunch picnic on the lake, got drenched in an unforeseen hail storm, and then hiked back to the car. 

We got to our bed & breakfast in Kinsale around 7 p.m. and went out on the town for dinner. Kinsale was so cute! It's an old, tiny fishing village and very touristy in the summer time, but since we were there in April, we got to see a little bit more of what regular life there is like. After dinner, we walked around a bit and then headed back to our adorable B&B. First full day in Ireland: SUCCESS. 

The next morning was Sunday, and Dad looked up some Baptist churches in the area for us to attend service. One of his main goals in Ireland was to see how they go about church. Seeing as how the South of Ireland is dominated by Catholicism, it was hard to find many Baptist churches. There were only about 3 within a driving distance! (VERY different for us, coming from Texas, where Baptist churches seem to be on every corner, like Starbucks in NYC). We ended up at a cute, little church in a nearby town called Bandon. The service was small, quaint and traditional, and the message was simple. We LOVED it! Of course everyone there could tell right away that we were visitors, and we stayed at least an hour after church and talked people and even made plans for a coffee date with a deacon and his wife for the following day! It was such a blessing. 

After church, we drove to the town of Blarney, where the famous "Blarney stone and castle" are located. We were fortunate to have sunny, clear weather when we got there. (This rarely happens in Ireland.) 

We toured the grounds, saw the gardens, some waterfalls, druid remains, and went to the top of the castle where Carissa and I kissed the stone. Kissing the stone is one of those things you have to do in your lifetime (yes, I know, touristy), but it was worth it! 

Carissa, kissing the Blarney Stone!

The tradition of the stone is that if you kiss it, you will be able to talk your way out of anything for the rest of your life). Seeing as how I am thinking of going into politics or law, I thought this was an ESSENTIAL decision. (Haha.) We also went and saw the Blarney house, which was jsut recently bought by a bachelor in his 50s.... Single, rich, Irish....hmmm.. Haha. Maybe someday.

The next day we reluctantly left Kinsale, but not until after we met our new Irish friends for our coffee date at a local cafe. Brian and Dorothy Jeffers, the sweetest little couple from the church were the most precious people ever! They told stories, talked about their faith, their lives, their love, and even gave us a CD of their homemade organ music. They told us that if we ever came back to Kinsale, we had a place to stay. What a blessing! 

That afternoon, we drove through part of the famous Ring of Kerry. Unfortunately, it was pretty foggy and rainy, but we could still see some of the beautiful countryside, sheep everywhere, cliffs,  and hills. We stopped for pictures all along the way. 

We reached the town of Killarney that evening, and it was rainy and freezing. We settled in to our bed and breakfast and then went to dinner at an awesome little pub called Murphy's. It was so cozy inside, and I appreciated the fact that we appeared to be the only tourists there. Our waiter was hilarious, telling us stories and sharing memories about his few American friends. Carissa got fish and chips, I tried the Shepphard's pie, and my parents got Irish stew. Hot food, family, and live Irish music at a local spot on a rainy night. It was perfect! 

Toric Waterfall in Killarney National Park

The next day it was still rainy and cold, but we only had that morning to explore Killarney before we were setting off for Galway, so we "roughed it" anyway. We went and walked the grounds of the Muckross house and hiked a little in the Killarney National Park, where we saw the Toric waterfall. It was SO windy and cold, but we had a great time! 

At the Muckross House in Killarney

We drove to Galway that afternoon, and went to a B&B that had been recommended to us by someone at the church in Bandon. It was right on the promenade (AKA boardwalk) on the Galway bay! When we got there, we were welcomed in by the sweetest Irish woman and she immediately brought out hot coffee, tea, and treats. We sat in the living room and visited with her for at least an hour. She was so funny and fiesty! 

Carissa and I, at one of the Portal Tombs in the Burren

We walked to dinner a little while later, to a traditional Irish restaurant recommended to us by our new, favorite B&B hostess. After dinner, Dad went back to get the car since it was cold and rainy outside. (As usual, I guess, haha). While we waited, I left to use the restroom and came back to find Mom and Carissa getting hit on by an local who had probably had a little too much Guinness that evening.... It was pretty funny. Mom's reaction was hilarious. A man at the restaurant came and "shooed" him off, right about that time Dad was out with the car. I guess we got a little of every experience in Ireland. 

The next day, we were picked up right at our door by a Galway tour bus and set out for an all-day tour of the Burren and the Cliffs of Moher! The Burren was really a cool thing to see because it's one of the largest Karst landscapes in the world, and within the Burren are several portal tombs that are hundreds of years old. 

The Cliffs of Moher

The Cliffs of Moher were so magestic! We were really lucky to be there on a clear day, so the cliffs were completely visible. While I've seen my fair share of cliffs, none compare to the Cliffs of Moher. These cliffs are so flat, smooth and green on top, and then, abruptly stop: a menacing drop-off. It was SO windy the day we were there, we were scared to get too close to the edge! 

Me, Carissa, Mom & Dad at the Cliffs

We didn't get back to Galway until around 7 p.m. When we did, we took the car and drove to another recommended dinner spot in town. It was rainy and cold, (like usual), and we quickly ran inside the cozy little restaurant. That night, we took hot showers and went to bed exhausted after a fun-filled day of touring and sight-seeing. 

The next morning, we had a wonderful, Irish breakfast at our B&B, and left with much dismay after chatting all morning with the sweet B&B owner. I am really going to miss these sweet, Irish folk! 

We drove back towards Dublin, and made a stop in the village of Howth, which is just outside the city. I thought after seeing the Burren and the Cliffs of Moher, NOTHING else I saw in Ireland could compare....Well, I was wrong. 

The cliffside hike in Howth was by far the best thing I did in Ireland. It was beautiful and sunny out, and on our last day in this precious country, we spent our time laughing, hiking, taking pictures, and soaking up our time together just as much as the views.

 

The Cliffside of Howth

Our last day in Ireland: spent just as it should be. 

The next morning, my parents dropped us off at the airport. (Our flight was a few hours earlier than my parents). We hugged and kissed them goodbye, and bid farewell to the most beautiful country, the most welcoming people, and the richest culture I've ever experienced. 

GALWAY GIRL- Ireland Adventures....Wish this was my life! Haha.

Ireland: "You are Very Welcome Here!"

Ireland

Of all the places I've ever been and all the places I'll go, none will match the beauty of Ireland. From the rolling green hills filled with sheep and Holstein cows, to glens with lakes and rugged cliffs; beauty lies in every region of Ireland. 

Bed and breakfasts are the popular choice of stay for travelers. Find yourself nestled somewhere in to the countryside, waking up to the morning crows of a nearby rooster and a hot, traditional Irish breakfast, which consists of eggs, porridge, smoked salmon, a broiled tomato, pork sausages, beans, and black pudding. Other traditional Irish dishes include Irish stew, made with lamb, Guinness and potatoes, or Sheppard’s pie, which consists of beef, and potatoes. These dishes are the perfect, warm treat on the cold, rainy nights in Ireland.

The Irish people are also warm and friendly. They smile as you pass on the street and offer assistance when you need help or directions. They welcome you into their homes and invite you out for coffee or a Guinness simply for the sake of knowing you. 

In every picture of Ireland you'll find colors more vibrant than a painting. However, they pay a price for their green, grassy pastures covered in wildflowers. The weather is notorious for it's unpredictability. It’s Sunny and clear one minute, and pouring down buckets of rain the next. Some parts of the country expect rain on 270 days of the year. But if you are willing to tolerate the ever-changing weather and set out for an adventure of a lifetime, then Ireland is the place for you.

St. Patrick's Cathedral

When you plan your visit to Ireland, there's no better place to start than Dublin. Dublin is the largest city in the Republic of Ireland and is located on the Irish Sea in east Ireland. Dublin has a unique feel with a very special atmosphere. It’s like a smaller London with many more pubs and smiling faces. Even In the largest city in the country, which has just over one million residents, the people of Dublin are still friendly and always willing to help a stranger out.  

St. Patrick's Cathedral

While Dublin is known for its Guinness beer and numerous pubs, it's also home to several historical sites like Christ Church Cathedral and St. Patrick's Cathedral. Christ Church Cathedral is an 11^th century medieval church that is known as the centre of the United Diocese of Dublin. St. Patrick’s Cathedral was built in the 12^th century in honor of St. Patrick himself and is also the largest church in Ireland.

The cliffs at Howth

After taking in the city life, take a day trip to Howth. This quaint village is just a 20-minute drive east from Dublin and deserves just as much praise as the city. In this small fishing village are beautiful things to see, but the most noteworthy are the cliffs overlooking the sea. Even the locals set aside time in the day to go for a scenic hike along the cliffside. Yellow wildflowers and rugged boulders sit side-by-side and overlook the bay. The little village of Howth is quite possibly Ireland's best-kept secret; a hidden treasure masked by the hype of the nearby city. 

The monastic ruins of Glendalough

After a day spent exploring the cliffs, head south along the coast. Just over 40 miles south of Dublin is the town of Glendalough, which means “glen of two lakes.” This tourist destination is known by many for its appearance in films such as Braveheart and Leap Year.  It's rich in beauty, but history as well. Located in Glendalough are the 6th century monastic ruins originally founded by St. Kevin, a hermit monk. In the 6^th century, St. Kevin founded a monastic settlement in this glacial valley and went to live above the lakes in order to seek unity with God in the presence of the breath-taking countryside.

If you want to see sights that encompass every Irish stereotype, then head to Southern Ireland next.

The drive along the Ring of Kerry is said to be the most beautiful drive in the world. The landscape is rugged and somewhat menacing, but breathtaking and vibrant all at the same time.

Muckross House

In Killarney National park, the fog rolls in and the mist hits your face as the wind nearly knocks you over.  In Killarney, the Muckross house and gardens are worth the visit. This Tudor-style house was built in the mid 1800s for Henry Arthur Herbert and his wife. If you really want to travel back in time, then visit the grounds by horse drawn carriage, which offers rides all over Killarney.

As you make your way west along the coast, you will find some of the most famous sites in the country.

Be sure to spend some time in Galway, a city of culture and tradition. Here you find the traditional Irish language spoken more frequently than in any other region of Ireland. Galway is Ireland’s fasting-growing city and currently holds approximately 75,000 residents. Located on the rugged west coast, there is more than enough to do during a vacation. Pubs line the streets and proudly play their Irish music. Because of its location on the Atlantic sea, the largest form of employment comes from fishing. 

Along the little towns and villages outside of Galway city, many traditional Irish cottages still stand unchanged. In these suburbs, you will still find thatched roofs and handmade stone fences along the narrow, rocky roads.

The Burren and the world-famous Cliffs of Moher are both located in Western Ireland. The Burren is one of the largest karst landscapes in all of Europe and measures approximately 250 square kilometers. If you take a tour, you can visit the Burren and the Cliffs of Moher in one day. The majestic Cliffs of Moher are arguably the most popular attraction in all of Ireland, attracting roughly one million visitors every year. The cliffs reach a maximum height of 214 meters above the Atlantic Ocean. On a sunny day, the views from the cliffs are simply astounding. Ireland is very proud of this site, and has recently nominated the cliffs in the global online campaign to find the new seven world wonders of 2011.

            Finally, travel north to Belfast and the Giant’s Causeway. Belfast is the largest city and the capital of Northern Ireland, with a population of about 268,000. Belfast has long been a centre for the linen industry in Ireland, and remains a thriving city of art, entertainment, and culture to this day. While Northern Ireland has suffered religious conflict and turmoil in the past, its current state is that of peace and prosperity.

            The Giant’s Causeway is one of the greatest natural wonders in the world. It’s an area resulting from ancient volcanic eruptions and contains approximately 40,000 joined basalt columns. It is to this day the most popular tourist attraction in Northern Ireland.

Irish folk music pours out from small pubs on weeknights all over the country. Banjos, bagpipes, and guitars resound from every corner of every street.  Locals sit and relax for hours while they enjoy a pint of their world-famous Guinness beer.

The rich culture and tradition of Ireland is comparable to no other country in the world. Anywhere you go in this country, whether in the Republic or the North, is a destination of beauty, sincerity, and kindness. The rest of the world could use a dose of Irish hospitality and pride.

Of all the places you go in the world, and all of the places you’ll see, you will never find a place like Ireland.

Sources of information:

 http://saintpatrickscathedral.org/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howth

http://cccdub.ie/

http://www.muckross-house.ie/

http://www.discoverireland.ie/

http://www.cliffsofmoher.ie/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belfast

Dejé mi Corazón en Barcelona

Bonita Barcelona

 
Beauty, beaches, mountains, and sunshine....Markets, cathedrals and fairy tale parks. A weekend spent in Barcelona is a weekend of bliss. 
 
One of the places I was looking forward to most was Barcelona, Spain. For years I’d heard of its beauty and culture, and for years I’d dreamt of seeing this city that looked like a Spanish paradise. 
 

On a Thursday afternoon a few weeks back, I stared anxiously at the clock and couldn't wait until class was over. I was SO excited that I was going to get to try out my Spanish for an entire weekend, especially since I had been visiting countries that spoke French, German, Dutch, etc. It was nice that I would actually get to practice a language that I felt a little more comfortable with. Additionally, I have always loved Spanish culture, the food, and the people! 

At 3 p.m. I ran out the front doors of my school building in Maastricht and walked happily to the train station. My sister Carissa was waiting for me there. Together, we caught the 3:30 p.m. train to Liege, Belgium, and from there, we would head to the Brussels Charleroi Airport to catch our 7 p.m. flight to Barcelona. We knew time would be a little tight, but as long as the trains ran as usual we would make it just fine. 

Well, our train to Liege ended up being five minutes late, which to our dismay, meant we would miss the four p.m. train to the Charleroi Sud station and have to wait over an hour for the next one….We started freaking out. 

When the next train came, we realized that we would be getting to the Charleroi train station one hour before our flight left, and we still had to take a bus from the train station to the airport! We started praying and kept stressing. 

When we ran of the train to find the bus, we were informed that the buses weren't running that day....NOT GOOD! We saw a "Speedy taxi" across the road, and decided it was our last hope of making our flight. 

  

We BARELY made our flight just FIVE minutes before they shut the gate, and we decided it was fate and God that willed us to make it to Barcelona!

We arrived in Barcelona at 11 p.m. and the metro was closed for the night, so we grabbed a taxi and showed him the address of our hotel. We don't normally stay in hotels, but after researching hostels in Barcelona, I realized that we could stay in a 3-star hotel in a nearby town called Barbera for half the price of a hostel in the city. Normally I wouldn't do this, but the hotel website said it was only a 30 minute train ride into Barcelona and the hotel was ride next to the train, so I figured it was worth it to save the money....WRONG. 

Not only was the little village of Barbera 30 minutes FARTHER from the airport, but our hotel was NOT by the train, it was in the middle of a shopping center, so I had messed up big time. The taxi ride alone cost us 50 euro. I tried to argue that price with the driver, but my persuasion skills only get me so far when I'm attempting to speak a foreign language.

Well at least the hotel staff will speak English, right? They did advertise that on their website, too....WRONG again. But hey, it was midnight, I was tired, I was forced to speak Spanish, and I had a bed waiting for me, so Carissa and I were happy enough. After a stressful day of travel, we were happy with anything that had a bed and a hot shower.

On top of the bus!

The next morning, Carissa and I got some coffee and croissants from the hotel and then were ready for our first day in Barcelona! The hotel staff working that morning spoke a little English... well, enough to give us a map and call a taxi for us to get to the train station. 

 
We took the taxi to the station, bought metro passes to Barcelona, and got off at the city center, the Plaça de Catalunya. From there, we bought tickets for the Barcelona "hop on, hop off" bus tour. This was the perfect way for us to see the city because we didn't have to figure out where things were, and the bus took us to everything we wanted to see! 
 

La Sagrada Familia

We got off at La Sagrada Familia, the world-famous Roman Catholic church designed by Spain's famous architect, Antoni Gaudí. *Fun fact: since this cathedral is still being built, this church is the most visited construction site in the world! 
 The Basilica was really cool because it isn't what you would expect a Catholic church to look like. It looked look like clay or mud on the outside, with sculptures surrounding the building that portrayed different accounts and events from the Passion of the Christ. Everything Gaudí did while designing the church was done to represent something from the Bible. For example, he originally wanted 18 spires on top of the church to represent the 12 apostles, the four evangelists, the Virgin Mary, and the tallest spire--Jesus Christ. It wasn't made of marble or stone, but it was beautiful in its own way. It's difficult to describe. Until that point, we hadn't seen any cathedrals like this one. Cathedrals like Notre dame and St. Peter's Basilica were so different from La Sagrada Familia. 
  

After taking in the Basilica, we grabbed lunch as sat in the park before we got back on the bus and went to Park Güell, Gaudí's famous "fairytale park." It was built from the year 1900 to 1914. It was literally like stepping into a fairytale! There were dream-like little houses, serpent-shaped benches, colorful mosaic designs and fountains. Gaudí certainly was a brilliant designer, architect, and creative thinker! It was really fun spending a few hours there in the sunshine, taking pictures, and doing a little "street shopping" from some local vendors. 

Park Guell!

Next, we went back to the hop on-hop off stop and then enjoyed the breeze from the top of the bus as we rode around the city! We saw everything. The royal gardens, palace, the Barcelona soccer stadium, the marina, the beach, the zoo, EVERYTHING! The weather was perfect and we just soaked it all in. I particularly liked all of the flowers and the numerous parks and sitting areas. It looked like the city was made for young couples or friends or whoever loved enjoying the outdoors. It was just so happy-feeling everywhere you went! 

Carissa, buying presents for friends at the park!

Cable car ride up Montjuic!

We got off the bus at the top of Montjuic mountain. From there, we paid 6 euro to take the Montjuic Teleferic ride (a cable car that takes you up the mountain) to see the views of the entire city from above: the beaches, the buildings, and the mountain! It was beautiful! Carissa and I really had a great time taking pictures and people watching from above. 

After we got off the cable car, we decided we should take our last ride on the tour bus and start our journey back to our hotel in Barbera. (We thought it was a good idea to not stay out too late in the city, especially since we had heard pick pocketing was really bad there and it could be a little scary at night with just two girls). 

We got back to our hotel and hit the sack: exhausted and satisfied after a wonderful day. 

The next day, we went back to the same stop in the city center and wanted to check off the things we missed from the day before: Las Ramblas, La Boqueria, and the beach! 

Part of Las Ramblas!

Crazy stuff on Las Ramblas!

Las Ramblas is Barcelona's most famous and most popular street, with street performers, vendors, shops, and artists. Everywhere you looked was fascinating! People line that street every morning and do crazy things for money! I had never seen anything like it. 

La Boqueria Market!

Also located on the Rambla was La Boqueria, Barcelona's most famous market. Locals and tourists alike go here to buy every kind of food you can think of. One local told us that there is a saying in Barcelona that says, "If you can't find it at La Boqueria, then it doesn't exist!" 

The Market

At the market, Carissa and I bought freshly made fruit smoothies and walked around and saw as much as we could. (Of course, "as much as we could" meant "as much as Carissa could handle," the squid, fish, snakes and such made Carissa uncomfortable.) They had EVERYTHING there! I was convinced: if it wasn’t at La Boqueria, then it really doesn’t exist! 

On the beach!

Then we walked down to the Port and then to the beach! We found a really cute cafe right on the beach with outdoor seating, and we got lunch and soaked up the sunshine! It was the best part of the whole weekend. After lunch, we found a spot in the warm sand and got massages for 5 euro each! (People make money in the strangest ways in Barcelona, haha). But it was AWESOME! 

Carissa, loving that foot massage!

After a long foot massage, Carissa and I reluctantly walked back to the metro in the city center and left Barcelona for the last time. We went back to our hotel, and got ready for our early morning flight and journey back home to Maastricht. 

Exploring Spain with my sister!

In Barcelona I got to see the sights, enjoy the sun, practice my Spanish and spend quality time with my sister. It was the shortest two days of my life, but definitely some of the best days of my life.