I left my heart in Ireland.
When I first came to Ireland I was welcomes with the phrase, "Céad míle fáilte romhat"
Now I am back in New York and I long to be back in the Emerald Isle.
I don't know what I want to do for school, or for work...
I feel as if summer gives me so many goals to pursue, from books to catch up on to things that I want to learn.
But with the amount of work I know that I will have these goals become impossible and by the end of the summer I become so frustrated with myself.
In Ireland for the first time ever I had enough free time to read a book during a college semester.
Words cannot describe how much I want to go back.
I love New York, but my heart escaped me when I went abroad.
I'm so thankful for every person I met. They all mean the most to me. I love them more then words can describe, more then a writer can write in a love story in a novel.
It was truly the best experience of my life.
My next bit of money I am able to save will be spent on a trip back.
So for now, this is not the end of this blog, I'm sure there will be a few posts here and there.
But for now this is the final post of my adventure.
Today, I understand what Pat Conroy meant when he said, 'Once you have traveled, the voyage never ends, but is played out over and over again in the quietest chambers, that the mind can never break off from the journey.'
I know I already posted that quote, but it sums up everything so well.
Until then,
Thank you Ireland, you have truly been the best.
Love.
“May the wind always be on your back and the sun upon your face and may the winds of destiny carry you aloft to dance with the stars.”
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Monday, May 16, 2011
Once you have traveled the voyage never ends...
but it is played over and over again in the quietest chambers. The mind can never break off from the journey."
-Pat Conroy
I always knew that the day was going to come where I would have to say bye to Ireland.
I thought over and over what I would write here when the day was to come. I never knew what I would say. All I know is that in 3 hours I will be saying bye to the most amazing people.
I don't know how I am going to leave a place I have called my home for the past four months.
It is one of the most beautiful countries I think the world has to offer. Grace and I had travelled a bit this semester and although each place had something special, Ireland has been by far my favourite.
I guess I have to say I am bias, but the people I have met here are one in a million.
This semester of college is one that I will never forget.
I know that going home I am a completely different person then when I came.
Before I came my life seemed to be on a straight path. I knew what was going to come next. I don't know now. I don't know where this path will take me.
I hope to come back.
I will never forget all the great times I have had here.
RAG week was probably my favourite.
"Conor take off your shirt and run past the guards".."ok",
Playing st. poker and the guard banging on our window,
Cathal falling through the window,
The boys running in their nickers around the village and getting scared the guards were ringing our bell and finding out it was only Colina.
and Bulmers everyday of the week.
All the times out.. and staying in.
Philip and I falling and getting stuck on the floor. We both still don't know how we got there.
and poor Philip always carrying me to bed. I don't know where I would be without him.
Caomihe beingmyshotsbuddy.
Adventures at Aoife's house and Philips.
Both their parents are the most caring people in the world.
All our dinners together.
and Cinco de Mayo.
Apartment 72- ringing their bell adventures..
Conor teaching me how to drive an Irish car and his tunes.
Having Cathal and Conor as roommates.
Not understanding the accents.
Lunch with Aoife and La Cucina thinking we are a couple.
Beautiful days in Ireland.
There so many more memories that I will think of and add to this.
Certain songs will always remind me of Ireland and the people here.
I don't know how I'm going to say goodbye.
xoxox
-Pat Conroy
I always knew that the day was going to come where I would have to say bye to Ireland.
I thought over and over what I would write here when the day was to come. I never knew what I would say. All I know is that in 3 hours I will be saying bye to the most amazing people.
I don't know how I am going to leave a place I have called my home for the past four months.
It is one of the most beautiful countries I think the world has to offer. Grace and I had travelled a bit this semester and although each place had something special, Ireland has been by far my favourite.
I guess I have to say I am bias, but the people I have met here are one in a million.
This semester of college is one that I will never forget.
I know that going home I am a completely different person then when I came.
Before I came my life seemed to be on a straight path. I knew what was going to come next. I don't know now. I don't know where this path will take me.
I hope to come back.
I will never forget all the great times I have had here.
RAG week was probably my favourite.
"Conor take off your shirt and run past the guards".."ok",
Playing st. poker and the guard banging on our window,
Cathal falling through the window,
The boys running in their nickers around the village and getting scared the guards were ringing our bell and finding out it was only Colina.
and Bulmers everyday of the week.
All the times out.. and staying in.
Philip and I falling and getting stuck on the floor. We both still don't know how we got there.
and poor Philip always carrying me to bed. I don't know where I would be without him.
Caomihe beingmyshotsbuddy.
Adventures at Aoife's house and Philips.
Both their parents are the most caring people in the world.
All our dinners together.
and Cinco de Mayo.
Apartment 72- ringing their bell adventures..
Conor teaching me how to drive an Irish car and his tunes.
Having Cathal and Conor as roommates.
Not understanding the accents.
Lunch with Aoife and La Cucina thinking we are a couple.
Beautiful days in Ireland.
There so many more memories that I will think of and add to this.
Certain songs will always remind me of Ireland and the people here.
I don't know how I'm going to say goodbye.
xoxox
Friday, May 6, 2011
Greystone is for...
THE HAPPY PEAR!
April 23ed-24th
Thank goodness for Aoife and her family..
They picked me up in Naas and we headed back to her house.
That day we went to a place called Greystone.
It was one of the most amazing places ever. If I were to ever move to Ireland, I would love to move there. We took the dart and the train and we got there around lunchtime.
The whole semester she was talking about this place called The Happy Pear.
Words cannot describe how much I fell in love with the place.
Everything was funky, organic, and made fresh.
It was my heaven on Earth.
We got so much food it was insane, but we ate it on the beach. On the way to the beach we stopped for coffee. A lady in there asked me if I were Irish. I replied with a giggle and told her "no". I though she was asking me because she though it was obvious, but she was really just telling me that she could not believe all the chocolate bunnies everywhere. She told me that the Easter Bunny is a new phenomena to Ireland. Hearing that was so insane to me. My whole life we were told about the Easter Bunny and mom made pizza gran, honey balls, and basically a small feast. It does not seem to be the same in Ireland. (I think that is is honestly just another excuse for some crazy Italians to make food and eat with the entire family, but they don't seem to ever need a holiday for that).
We headed to the beach. The place was so amazing and it was so warm out. As we ate our food we watched some doggies and new married couples on the beach. There were also people in the water. When we went "paddling". I nearly thought my toes were going to fall off because of how cold it was. We were there for a while and then we left and got the most amazing ice cream, or '99ers' and went to find Bono's and Enya's house. Before we got to there we stopped and went into a skate shop. I felt like a little kid again.
I looked like a complete stalker. It was worth it though, there were cars outside the house as well, and I was calling them the creepers.. ;)
After we envied all the houses on the hill, we walked the coast to the train station. It was one of the most amazing things, to see houses built overlooking the salty ocean.
We headed home and I passed out.
The next day was EASTER! I was so happy to be spending it with Aoife and her family and Grace.
We went to Aoife's church in the morning and then we got burritos! They were the most amazing things.. ever.
Her mom made lasagna that night and it was delicious!! It was sooo lovely.
Words cannot describe how happy I was to be spending the holiday with them. It still is crazy to me that they don't have gigantic Easters, or much of the Easter bunny. I feel like America over dramatizes everything... although I do love Easter and America more than words, I was happy to experience a holiday in another country.
We went to bed early that night and we were off to Limerick in the morning.
That week I went to a dinner with my volunteer group. It was called Access Campus. I volunteered to help teach underprivileged kids in Limerick. Sancha was the head of the originisation. She was a wonderful person. The dinner was at a very nice Indian food restaurant. It was probably the best Indian food I have ever had in my entire life. The waiters were wonderful as well. It was sad to say goodbye.
April 23ed-24th
Thank goodness for Aoife and her family..
They picked me up in Naas and we headed back to her house.
That day we went to a place called Greystone.
It was one of the most amazing places ever. If I were to ever move to Ireland, I would love to move there. We took the dart and the train and we got there around lunchtime.
The whole semester she was talking about this place called The Happy Pear.
Words cannot describe how much I fell in love with the place.
Everything was funky, organic, and made fresh.
It was my heaven on Earth.
We got so much food it was insane, but we ate it on the beach. On the way to the beach we stopped for coffee. A lady in there asked me if I were Irish. I replied with a giggle and told her "no". I though she was asking me because she though it was obvious, but she was really just telling me that she could not believe all the chocolate bunnies everywhere. She told me that the Easter Bunny is a new phenomena to Ireland. Hearing that was so insane to me. My whole life we were told about the Easter Bunny and mom made pizza gran, honey balls, and basically a small feast. It does not seem to be the same in Ireland. (I think that is is honestly just another excuse for some crazy Italians to make food and eat with the entire family, but they don't seem to ever need a holiday for that).
We headed to the beach. The place was so amazing and it was so warm out. As we ate our food we watched some doggies and new married couples on the beach. There were also people in the water. When we went "paddling". I nearly thought my toes were going to fall off because of how cold it was. We were there for a while and then we left and got the most amazing ice cream, or '99ers' and went to find Bono's and Enya's house. Before we got to there we stopped and went into a skate shop. I felt like a little kid again.
I looked like a complete stalker. It was worth it though, there were cars outside the house as well, and I was calling them the creepers.. ;)
After we envied all the houses on the hill, we walked the coast to the train station. It was one of the most amazing things, to see houses built overlooking the salty ocean.
We headed home and I passed out.
The next day was EASTER! I was so happy to be spending it with Aoife and her family and Grace.
We went to Aoife's church in the morning and then we got burritos! They were the most amazing things.. ever.
Her mom made lasagna that night and it was delicious!! It was sooo lovely.
Words cannot describe how happy I was to be spending the holiday with them. It still is crazy to me that they don't have gigantic Easters, or much of the Easter bunny. I feel like America over dramatizes everything... although I do love Easter and America more than words, I was happy to experience a holiday in another country.
We went to bed early that night and we were off to Limerick in the morning.
That week I went to a dinner with my volunteer group. It was called Access Campus. I volunteered to help teach underprivileged kids in Limerick. Sancha was the head of the originisation. She was a wonderful person. The dinner was at a very nice Indian food restaurant. It was probably the best Indian food I have ever had in my entire life. The waiters were wonderful as well. It was sad to say goodbye.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Italia Bella VII: Pisa
April 21st-22ed
The leaning tower of Peace-a..
We arrived in Pisa not too late.
Our hostel was not in a bad area, nor was it far from the train station, thank goodness.
We ate at a very nice restaurant knowing that it would be our last meal in Italia. It was delicious.
The next day we woke early and pack up everything. I met two people from London. They were studying medicine. They were very nice and they told me about where they grew up in England. They were headed to Rome, as we were headed home.
We got lunch an then we went the leaning tower.
The leaning tower was actually really funny. I think it was one of my favourite things I saw in Italy.
After the tower we were headed home. I was in the Pisa airport for six hours and managed to get two carry-one on the plane.. Rebel- without- a -cause..and then I was in the London airport all morning and I managed to loose a debit card and my poor mother was on the phone with me and did not sleep at all.
Thank goodness for Aoife though, my Irish parents picked me up and we were off to one of the best days ever in Greystone (my Irish sister and me)...
The leaning tower of Peace-a..
We arrived in Pisa not too late.
Our hostel was not in a bad area, nor was it far from the train station, thank goodness.
We ate at a very nice restaurant knowing that it would be our last meal in Italia. It was delicious.
The next day we woke early and pack up everything. I met two people from London. They were studying medicine. They were very nice and they told me about where they grew up in England. They were headed to Rome, as we were headed home.
We got lunch an then we went the leaning tower.
The leaning tower was actually really funny. I think it was one of my favourite things I saw in Italy.
After the tower we were headed home. I was in the Pisa airport for six hours and managed to get two carry-one on the plane.. Rebel- without- a -cause..and then I was in the London airport all morning and I managed to loose a debit card and my poor mother was on the phone with me and did not sleep at all.
Thank goodness for Aoife though, my Irish parents picked me up and we were off to one of the best days ever in Greystone (my Irish sister and me)...
Italia Bella VI: Florence
April 20th-21st
Florence at night and during the day is one of the most beautiful places I saw in Italy.
We arrived in Florence late and we could not find our Hostel. We were convinced it did not exist. We found a guarda and thank goodness for him. He walked us down the street we walked three times and we found the place. The man was not a bit nice when we finally got there but we had a place to sleep for the night.
We woke the next morning for an early start.
I think I had one of the most interesting breakfasts ever. I could not tell you if it was a pastry or bread. It was sweet but it had rosemary and raisins in it. I was speechless.
We took a red bus tourist tour around Florence where we were able to get on and off the bus. It took us up the windy roads of Florence and to a break taking view of the landscape.
The place was amazing.
We then scurried to find the David because we were headed to Pisa that night.
On our way we found a handmade leather store. It was amazing. The owner was one of the nicest people in the world. I brought a notebook. We also found a tent what was selling hand made sweets. There was Grandpa's favourite sesame bar I picked up for him and also a marshmallow type one. I forget what they are called but they have orange in them and as well as almonds or hazelnuts.
We found the David hiding away in a museum hidden beneath buildings. We were in line about a hour and it flew.
We finally made it back to our hostel and we hopped on the train to Pisa...
Florence at night and during the day is one of the most beautiful places I saw in Italy.
We arrived in Florence late and we could not find our Hostel. We were convinced it did not exist. We found a guarda and thank goodness for him. He walked us down the street we walked three times and we found the place. The man was not a bit nice when we finally got there but we had a place to sleep for the night.
We woke the next morning for an early start.
I think I had one of the most interesting breakfasts ever. I could not tell you if it was a pastry or bread. It was sweet but it had rosemary and raisins in it. I was speechless.
We took a red bus tourist tour around Florence where we were able to get on and off the bus. It took us up the windy roads of Florence and to a break taking view of the landscape.
The place was amazing.
We then scurried to find the David because we were headed to Pisa that night.
On our way we found a handmade leather store. It was amazing. The owner was one of the nicest people in the world. I brought a notebook. We also found a tent what was selling hand made sweets. There was Grandpa's favourite sesame bar I picked up for him and also a marshmallow type one. I forget what they are called but they have orange in them and as well as almonds or hazelnuts.
We found the David hiding away in a museum hidden beneath buildings. We were in line about a hour and it flew.
We finally made it back to our hostel and we hopped on the train to Pisa...
Italia Bella V: Rome
April 18th- 20th
We left Naples at a reasonable time and we were off to Rome.
Before we left though I spread a peace rock. I wrote my Grandma's name on the back of it. I was thinking about her the whole time in Italy. I thought about her with everything I did and each time I woke up and went to bed.
For Grandma:
I left it right in a flower pot under a palm tree. She always wanted to have a summer birthday, and she was great at growing flowers.
Off to Rome we went. When we arrived we met up with Grace and Joe and we explored the city in search for some food. We made it to Trevi Fountain and then ate dinner and we were off to bed for the evening for an eventful day in the morning.
On the 19th we all woke fairly early. We went on a tour of the Vatican and also the Sistine Chapel.
We ate breakfast and then were off to explore.
We were able to skip the long line. We were very lucky. It also gave some history about the area. It was very interesting.
The Vatican was gigantic. There were halls and rooms everywhere. I could not believe it. I'm sure it would have meant more if I knew what was going on. But it was beautiful.
The Sistine Chapel was interesting but was not like I imagined. I think that history books over fantasize everything.
We headed to grab lunch and then discovered a market on our way back. Rome's beauty and architecture amazed me.
Before heading home we made our way to the Spanish Steps. They were amazing, but by that time I was so exhausted. Sleep was on my mind and it was only about 18:00. By the time we got back to the hostel we were starving so I beat the black circles under my eyes with the thought that I was our last night there and I never know when I will be back.
We grabbed dinner near the hostel and then unsuccessfully got lost when looking for a drink. We made it accentually to the Colosseum and I was able to spread another peace rock.
Grace, Joe, and myself headed to bed, for we were going to the Colosseum and Florence in the morning...
The Colosseum was amazing. The walk there was as well. There were spots were ruins were everywhere. When we got to the Colosseum the line was too long for us to wait on so we looked from the outside. The place was stunning.
After we grabbed lunch, we continued our journey to Florence..
We left Naples at a reasonable time and we were off to Rome.
Before we left though I spread a peace rock. I wrote my Grandma's name on the back of it. I was thinking about her the whole time in Italy. I thought about her with everything I did and each time I woke up and went to bed.
For Grandma:
I left it right in a flower pot under a palm tree. She always wanted to have a summer birthday, and she was great at growing flowers.
Off to Rome we went. When we arrived we met up with Grace and Joe and we explored the city in search for some food. We made it to Trevi Fountain and then ate dinner and we were off to bed for the evening for an eventful day in the morning.
On the 19th we all woke fairly early. We went on a tour of the Vatican and also the Sistine Chapel.
We ate breakfast and then were off to explore.
We were able to skip the long line. We were very lucky. It also gave some history about the area. It was very interesting.
The Vatican was gigantic. There were halls and rooms everywhere. I could not believe it. I'm sure it would have meant more if I knew what was going on. But it was beautiful.
The Sistine Chapel was interesting but was not like I imagined. I think that history books over fantasize everything.
We headed to grab lunch and then discovered a market on our way back. Rome's beauty and architecture amazed me.
Before heading home we made our way to the Spanish Steps. They were amazing, but by that time I was so exhausted. Sleep was on my mind and it was only about 18:00. By the time we got back to the hostel we were starving so I beat the black circles under my eyes with the thought that I was our last night there and I never know when I will be back.
We grabbed dinner near the hostel and then unsuccessfully got lost when looking for a drink. We made it accentually to the Colosseum and I was able to spread another peace rock.
Grace, Joe, and myself headed to bed, for we were going to the Colosseum and Florence in the morning...
The Colosseum was amazing. The walk there was as well. There were spots were ruins were everywhere. When we got to the Colosseum the line was too long for us to wait on so we looked from the outside. The place was stunning.
After we grabbed lunch, we continued our journey to Florence..
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