So if I ever run away, it is safe to assume that I will be somewhere in Ireland! I have now returned from my four day getaway to both Ireland and Northern Ireland, and it was just too incredible for words.
We left from the Valladolid airport on Thursday morning, had a little time between flights in London, and arrived to Belfast around 6:00. The first thing we noticed when we entered the UK was how amazingly friendly everyone was. Everyone smiles and asks how you are doing, which is a big change from what I’ve seen so far of Europe! We explored Belfast a little bit, saw the city hall and the “Belfast Eye” ferris wheel (we don’t think it’s really called that, but they say it because they want to be like London), and walked along the water. We also learned that the Titanic was built in Belfast, something that neither of us knew before. The cranes that assisted in building it are the largest cranes to ever be erected in the world, called Samson and Goliath, and they still stand in the harbor where the Harland and Wolff company used to build ships. They no longer build any ships there, but the Titanic is their claim to fame.
We were fortunate enough to have a tour offered through our hostel, and it was very affordable for us to go on an all day tour up the Eastern coast of Northern Ireland on Friday. We saw the ruins of two castles—Dunluce and Carrickfergus—both right on the ocean. The Dunluce castle is amongst the most well-known in Ireland, as when it was still an operational castle, part of it collapsed into the ocean, killing several workers in the kitchen, the part that collapsed. We also went to the Carrick-a-rede rope bridge, which rises 100 feet over the ocean. The weather was misty and a little windy, perfect for crossing a rope bridge! ;) It offered AMAZING views, and we were proud to have conquered the bridge.
The tour took us along the costal rode, which passes through several of Northern Ireland’s glens—little cities situated right on the coast. It was difficult to take pictures through the bus windows, but we thoroughly enjoyed seeing all the houses, churches, cemeteries, and historic sights that they had to offer. We also saw a RAINBOW! In Ireland! and the towns where Liam Neeson and Paul McCartney call home. All of this driving culminated in the reason that I really went to Ireland in the first place—seeing the Giant’s Causeway. When I was in 7th grade, I saw a picture of it on my geography book, and it instantly became a place that I wanted to get at some point in my life. Little did I know that I would actually get to see it, and that it would be only 6 years later! It was absolutely breathtaking. The causeway was formed as the result of cooling lava—the basaltic rock split into identically shaped columns. It is commonly referred to as the 8th Wonder of the World, but so few people know about it or have visited it. Ashley and I walked along the cliffs overlooking it before actually going towards the water, we ate a picnic lunch next to a bunch of sheep, and then went closer to the water to climb around on the rocks. It was so, SO beautiful. We were commenting on how something like that is the beauty that reminds us what the world is like without the influence of hate and war; something natural that hasn’t been touched by humans and that helps us regain some hope that maybe someday that kind of peace will be achievable. Later in the gift shop we saw a card that said, “The human spirit needs places where nature has not been rearranged by the hand of man.” Perfect! That’s exactly what our feelings were about the Causeway. Ashley and I were both so very glad that we decided to travel there—the weather was amazing as well, so we couldn’t have asked for a better experience. I really think that it was truly one of the best days of my life thus far.
We then made our way back to Belfast, where we explored the city a bit more and ate at a delicious Chinese restaurant. We laughed and talked for (literally) hours, and then got a good night of sleep back at the hostel. On Saturday we traveled to Dublin, which was a total change of scenery! There were tour buses EVERYWHERE, and definitely many, many more people than were on the streets of Belfast! We walked around and did some souvenir shopping, saw St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and explored the Temple Bar district. For dinner we ate a traditional Irish meal of Beef and Guinness stew, mash (mashed potatos), and a puff pastry, along with a glass of Guinness. It was all extremely delicious, and extremely expensive! After dinner we went to a pub to listen to some live music, which completed our Irish experience. The pub was packed, the band was very good, and we enjoyed every minute of it.
On Sunday we traveled from Dublin to Madrid, and then from Madrid back toValladolid. Although it was a long day of travel, we had plenty of time to get from place to place and everything went very smoothly.
Ireland has most definitely been my favorite trip of the semester thus far. While I really enjoyed my other trips, Ireland is just in a class of it’s own, due to the incredible natural beauty, the rich culture, and the amazingly kind people. I’m not sure when I will get back there, but I know that I will someday.
I now have 2 weeks (well, only 8 days!) of classes left before my next vacation, to Paris and Normandy. I am starting a new class about the European Union this week, which I am really looking forward to. I also have a large research paper that I need to start…well, about 2 weeks ago, and with all of those things going on, the semester will be over before I know it!
Pictures SHOULD be up on Webshots! ;) Hasta luego!
No comments:
Post a Comment