The Sheep in Dingle

Down in the southwest of Ireland there is a little beach town called Dingle. I know I am becoming "the girl who called beautiful" but again I must claim that this is the most beautiful place I have been too! What was my favorite part of the weekend? Looking out the window. The sun was shinning and the hills were green and the ocean was blue and the sand was warm (as warm as it can be in February in Ireland) and everything was beautiful.
First day we toured a castle led by a quirky little irish man that adored his job. He giggled and goofed and was quite entertaining for everyone around him. The castle was really awesome but I think the most memorable thing in the castle was that little irish man. Before the castle we went to this beautiful park called Coole Park, famous for its autograph tree which holds famous authors such as Yeats and of course for being the subject of one of Yeats poems as well.
The next day we went to the beach. And that is the only important information of the day. The moment I stepped on the sand I took off my boots and ran, letting my toes touch the Atlantic snapping picture along the way. Something took over us college students when on that beach. It was like stripping off our boots and coats in the middle of february on a SUNNY day in Ireland was liberating and enchanting. We ran along the tide, hollering when the water touched above our ankles. We climbed rocks and laughed and played tag. For about 15 minutes  I think we forgot everything and just enjoyed the moment, each other and nature. I am often amazed at the affect nature has on the moods of people. No matter how modern the world around us develops, people will flock to the beach on a sunny day.
Th other notable fact about Dingle is the food. Nicole Merten, Hannah Gansey, Laura Curtis and myself had an amazing encounter with seafood. I am not sure whether it was because we were all very hungry or because it was that amazing but it was a transcendent experience none the less.
 We saw a lot of things and toured a lot of places but the memories that will stay with me forever is Dingle's beauty and its amazing seafood.

Hurling, Gaelic Football and Silent Discos

A week full of brand new experiences!! I spent my Sunday afternoon sitting high in the stands watching two games that I have never before seen. There was two matches back to back, the first one was hurling and the second gaelic football. These are traditional Irish sports, not necessarily common anywhere else in the world, and I can see why... Its dangerous! Hurling consists of a ball smaller and probably heavier then a baseball and wooden sticks called "hurlers" that kind of look like a mix between a hockey stick and a lacrosse stick. Each end has both a net and then above it a field goal type structure, three points if you make it in the net one point if you make it over. These players are hurling this tiny ball at each other in the air and when one person hits it with the stick the other guy catches it with his BARE  HAND! Of course when one person catches it the defense clobbers that player, sticks flaying all over the place hitting people in the head, the knee, and other places nobody should be hitting... only one can describe these guys: badass. I could not watch this match, I gaped at it. This was followed up by a sport that is ridiculous in a completely opposite sense. While it was aggressive still, the thing that amazed me the most was the remarkable skill and athleticism that goes into this crazy sport. It involves a round ball that kind of looks like a volleyball. The goals and points are set up the same was as hurling but you can only score points by kicking it in. What happens is that you start with the ball on the ground and while you are running you flick up the ball to your arms and carry it for no more then three steps and then you have to drop it on the ground and kick it back up immediately, its like dribbling but instead of bouncing on the ground you are bouncing it between your feet and your hands while running... Again I gaped. As an end note, there was not padding worn at all except a helmet in hurling. Puts a whole new perspective on burley Irish Men if there even was a perspective before.
Another interesting experience I encountered this week was on the late night of Valentines Day. After a marvelous salmon dinner completed with a Red Velvet cake from my favorite bakery, Griffins, the girls and I decided to go to the Roisin Dobh Silent Disco. The Roisin Dobh is a pub located down the street from my apartment and snuggled in the back is a "silent" club. I always wondered what the heck happens back there? and tuesday I decided to find out. You walk in the door and pay your 5 euro for a headset and a pint of Bavaria. Inside is a bar and a stage with two different DJ's marked A and B in front of a dance floor filled with people dancing to different beats, no music playing everyone is just wearing the headphones. Putting on the headphones I discovered the two different channels with the two different dj's playing different music! The best part was taking off the headphones periodically and listening drunk girls scream the lyrics to Adele's latest while listening to the boys try to follow along with Snoop Dog. Definitely my idea of sober entertainment! New favorite club by far.

Craic in Cork!

I found my 2nd favorite city in Ireland!!!

This weekend our special bus driver Eric took us to a great place in the South of Ireland called Cork! First day I got there, immediately found one of the only H&M's in Ireland, so of course we had a shopping spree. Later that night we found this friendly little pub covered head to toe with the most random assortment of of posters and flags and much more. We got to have some pretty great conversations with a lot of random people while I tried Corks version of Guinness: Murphys. The great thing about Ireland is that each county seems to have its own personality with its own very different accent. I am sorry to say that I did not get used to the accent until my last day... and then of course I could understand them perfectly!

While in cork we got to visit a very colorful port town famous for the last stop the Titanic took before heading on its journey! When I am old and grey and full of money I think I will retire here and live in the brightest house on the coast!

The next day saw two of the most mystical places I have ever seen: The Blarney Castle and the cliffs of Moher! At the castle we got to kiss the Blarney stone, therefore the next time you talk to me I will be filled with good humor and persuasive speech. I am hoping to take this new power from kissing this special rock and be the first women president. Meaning that when I get home I will be both a famous artist and a politician, and of course I will have an Irish accent that will make me lovable and cool. I also walked up and down a stairwell with a spell on it with my eyes closed tight (for obvious reasons stating that this is the only way a wish will be granted). This means someday also I will rule the world. 

The cliffs of Moher were unfortunately blanketed with a thick layer of fog hiding the beauty and treacherous wonder it beholds. Fortunately I had created my own sun danced lifting the fog up high in the sky allowing me to shimmy the cliff that was hundreds of feet below the water. 

On a side note I just want to express how much I love my family and how I would not be here if it wasn't for them. I wish I could be there for you guys when you need me because you have never failed to be here for me when I need you. I love you and think about you constantly.