This has been a crazy week! It was midterm week...so basically the first time we've had to do any bit of studying! I have been delayed on writing about my favorite trip so far Ireland! Get ready, I am obsessed with Ireland so this post will go on for days!
Our journey began last Thursday at 12 in the afternoon. It was a crazy day of traveling! We started out on a train from Florence to Dublin. From there we switched over to the plane for about a 3 hour flight to Dublin. Now that seems like an easy enough journey, but nothing is ever easy when I travel so of course it wasn't! Just as we were about to get on the plane we were stopped by the attendant checking our tickets, apparently if you live outside the UN your were supposed to get your visa check and ticket stamped before getting on the plane. We went through security and customs without anyone telling us this or the slightest clue you needed to do that. The attendant told us to step to the side so she could see what she could do. Immediately I went into panic mode in my head and started making up sob stories to get myself on the plane in case they said no. Luckily everyone was spared from my made up scenarios because they pulled a lady up to stamp our tickets. THANK GOD!! From there it was on the plane and to Dublin no problems!
When we arrived in Dublin I got a facebook message from my cousin saying to take the bus to Letterkenny in Donegal. Conveniently I had bought tickets to Donegal Town instead because I thought that was where we were supposed to get picked up...once again when can my travels ever go smoothly?? This time we had time to figure out how to get the bus ticket settled and had time to grab a bite to eat. Everyone in the airport was so nice and friendly (as we found out every Irish person was) and told us getting on the bus to Letterkenny with our Donegal ticket would be no problem! It wasn't until we got on the bus that we realized it was a small problem. The bus driver was very in distress about us using "the wrong ticket" so much for it being no problem. So we held up the bus departure time but after calling his supervisor the dilemma was handled and we were on route to Donegal a 3 hour bus ride!
From the bus we were picked up by my Great Aunt Sally. Even though I had't seen her in a few years I immediately recognized her when I got off the bus. We hopped into her car and of course were mind boggled by the whole driving on the right side thing! It really throws you off!! It was a 20 minute car ride down dark, narrow roads, and after 12 hours total of traveling we finally arrived at my cousin Loretta's house. Her house was beautiful!! It looked like a house right out of a home magazine! Exhausted, it was not long before Loretta was showing us up to our rooms and we were passing out.
After the best sleep ever, Loretta's beds were like sleeping on a cloud, we woke up early to get ready for the day. Loretta had work that day so her sister Catriona would be taking us out for the day. As we got ready for the day we soon realized that Loretta also had the worlds greatest shower! We could actually move in a shower unlike our lovely 2x2 shower in our Florence apartment where the curtain sticks to you the whole time. In addition we had the most lovely breakfast! Loretta had gotten us bagels, eggs, bacon, croissants, everything you could hope and dream for in breakfast foods was there. Loretta is truly amazing! Around 11 Catriona picked us up to head over to hike Mount Errigal. It had been 15 years since I last saw my cousin Catriona, it also had been 15 years since I last was in Ireland!
Mount Errigal is a 751 meter hike up and the tallest peak of Donegal. Most people kind of snake there way up the mountain but we decided to take the direct route up! The climb was crazy! Luckily Catriona had brought some hiking boots with her and I had taken her up on wearing them because the mountain was so muddy at the bottom!! Amanda and Olivia were not so fortunate and got there shoes covered in mud but they were great sports about it! The hike up took us about an hour and a half but the whole time was full of none stop chatter and catching up with my cousin. When we reached the top the view was breath taking. There is no way to describe the true beauty of Ireland or what it feels like to be standing at the highest point of Donegal looking over the whole county. Catriona had packed us tea, coffee, and chocolate for a victory party at the summit! This started us all on an addiction to Ireland's best....Lyons tea (I am my parents daughter because I truly am addicted...4 cups in 2 hours a few days ago) CRUNCHIES...I know these have been in my house, dad why didn't you tell me how delicious they are?!?!? and Mars Bars which are like the equivalent to a 3 musketeer bar. We devoured the candy and the tea and after sitting for a bit we decided to head back down. The hike down only took us about an hour but Taylor feel about 5 billion times and ended up covered in mud by the time we made it to the car!
Next we headed over to Glenveagh National Park, which is the second largest National Park in Ireland. They had the cutest tea room where we all went into for a little lunch. After lunch we walked around the park which was once again beautiful and breathtaking! It was on the lake and there was a castle on the grounds as well! You could spend the whole day walking around the park! It was huge! We only had about 2 hours there but it was amazing! On the way back to Loretta's, Catriona asked if we had tried a Guinness in Ireland yet, of course we hadn't since we had only been there for only a few hours so she stopped at a local pub to make sure we got our first! The pub was very authentic! Had a nice fire going and all! Catriona watched as we all tried our first real irish Guinness. Thank god I liked it because Catriona told me I wouldn't be truly Irish unless I liked Guinness. When we had all finished our half pints we headed back to Loretta's to get changed and ready to go out to dinner. We hung out with Loretta while we got ready and hung out in her kitchen. Her son Stefan also hung around a bit and it was nice meeting him for the first time!
We went out to dinner at a hotel restaurant in town with Catriona. The food was incredible!! We got a "Wagon Wheel" appetizer and I had cod with avocado and mango salsa...I could eat that a million times over! My cousin Atlanta and her boyfriend Leon joined us towards the end of dinner and we cleared the place out chatting and exchanging stories! Atlanta is another cousin I haven't seen since I was 5 and were actually only two days apart! Atlanta and Leon drove us back to Loretta's and we all went inside. Again we were all back in the kitchen chatting and laughing, trading off words and expressions that differ from America and Ireland. Our best one was "shifting" which Catriona had taught us earlier in the day. It means making out in Ireland. Before we knew it, it was getting late and Atlanta and Leon were off and it was time to head up to bed again to get rest for the next days activities!
The next day it was our day with Loretta. Loretta took us up to Slieve League, the highest point in Europe! The mountains are located on the Atlantic coast and, I have been saying this about everything but, once again the view, the experience, everything was UNREAL!! I have never been to a country as beautiful as Ireland! The colors of the mountain, the grass, the sheep, the water....simply breathtaking. No words, or pictures could ever describe the feelings of truly being on top of the world. We drove up most of the mountain...cheaters...haha but we did do some hiking and take loads of pictures! We even tried to take pictures with the sheep but the kept running away! Which brings me to another point..the sheep are EVERYWHERE!! They are like deer in America! Except they are so much cooler! After walking around Slieve League for a bit we headed back down to a tea shop (the theme of Ireland...TEA!) but we actually all ended up switching it up and getting hot chocolate and cookies. In the tea shop we asked for directions to get down to the beach area of Slieve League. We went down small country roads and even passed a farmers market kind of fair where they were having a sheep auction! The countryside on the way down was amazing! When we arrived at the beach we had to walk down steep stairs to get to the bottom. You know what I am going to say, the beach was amazing! I have never been to the beach in cold weather wearing a northface! There were people fishing on the beach and we even saw someone catch a fish!
After the beach we headed over to Donegal town to get lunch. We had yet another amazing lunch at a place called Blueberry, one of Loretta's favorites! The food was delicious, we got soup, sandwiches and fries..yummmm! We explored the town a little, stopping in a few souvenir shops and all making purchases! From there it was back to Loretta's once again! When we got back to Loretta's of course we all had tea! We took showers and drank Coronas with Loretta as we waited for my Uncle Hughy and Aunt Sally to come by and visit! Loretta is the coolest to hang out with, we felt so at home! When my Uncle Hughy arrived Loretta commented as he headed up to the door that he was wearing his jacket and tie because anytime there are visitors he gets dressed up! I spent the next few hours talking with my Aunt and Uncle who were such a pleasure to be around! My Aunt Sally soon insisted that we headed over to Catriona because she had gotten us some irish tea and snacks and we couldn't leave without them! It also happened to be Catriona's birthday! Stefan, Amanda, my Aunt Sally and I went over and I got to meet all Catriona's little babies for the first time!! They were adorable!!! The youngest is only four months old, the next two, and the oldest is three. Before we left Catriona gave us a huge bag of crunchies, lyons tea, irish caramels, everything we had raved and devoured at Mount Errigal and more! Soon it was time to say goodbye and go back to Loretta's because Atlanta was taking us over to her friends 21st birthday party.
Atlanta's boyfriend picked us up and we loaded all our bags into the car. It was time to say goodbye to Loretta as well. It was hard saying goodbye to our amazing host but luckily I should be seeing her this summer because she is planning on coming to America! On the way to the party we made Leon imitate an American accent and I attempted to imitate an Irish one...fail for me. At the party we were greeted by the birthday girls mother who welcomed us with open arms saying "You're all welcome!! You're very welcome here." We then were greeted by the birthday girl and all her friend who were saying the same thing! Like I said before Irish people are truly the nicest, most welcoming people I have ever met. They really go out of there way to make people feel at home. We were taken to the back where a huge tent was set up and a DJ. The mother than herded us over to the food table and told us to eat and drink whatever "You're all welcome!!" Atlanta of course too made us all feel at home and comfortable getting us drinks and chairs...amazing, amazing people. The party was a blast with a ton of throw back songs and the irish hit Galway Girl. Everyone from the party then headed out to the club. We stayed at the club until it closed and then took a cab back to Atlanta's apartment in Letterkenny. Atlanta just like my other cousins was incredibly hospitable offering us tea and blankets upon arrival AND building a fire. Leon came down too and Atlanta and him stayed up with us until we had to get on our bus back to Dublin...by the way we had a 5:30 am bus ride and we got back from the club at around 3:30/4 so after a quick hour at Atlanta's it was already time for them to take us to the bus and head back to Florence. Our flight was at 10:20 and we just made it to the airport on time...another close call! But we arrived back in Florence safe and sound and then proceeded to sleep for the next 12 hours!
I could write a novel about my time in Ireland, I feel like I practically have. Immediately after leaving Ireland I felt a pit of sadness because the trip and my family had been so incredible I didn't want to leave. I felt so at home. This entire trip I know I will miss hanging out in Loretta's kitchen listening to music! I went a little Ireland crazy because also upon immediate arrival in Florence I started looking into getting dual citizenship and started looking up flights to see if I could visit one more time...there may or may not be some irish music on my ipod now....I finally get why my dads all irish crazy! I truly have found a whole new appreciation and love for where my family comes from. Ireland, I know I'll be back soon!
Slán!
(Goodbye in Gaelic)
Our journey began last Thursday at 12 in the afternoon. It was a crazy day of traveling! We started out on a train from Florence to Dublin. From there we switched over to the plane for about a 3 hour flight to Dublin. Now that seems like an easy enough journey, but nothing is ever easy when I travel so of course it wasn't! Just as we were about to get on the plane we were stopped by the attendant checking our tickets, apparently if you live outside the UN your were supposed to get your visa check and ticket stamped before getting on the plane. We went through security and customs without anyone telling us this or the slightest clue you needed to do that. The attendant told us to step to the side so she could see what she could do. Immediately I went into panic mode in my head and started making up sob stories to get myself on the plane in case they said no. Luckily everyone was spared from my made up scenarios because they pulled a lady up to stamp our tickets. THANK GOD!! From there it was on the plane and to Dublin no problems!
When we arrived in Dublin I got a facebook message from my cousin saying to take the bus to Letterkenny in Donegal. Conveniently I had bought tickets to Donegal Town instead because I thought that was where we were supposed to get picked up...once again when can my travels ever go smoothly?? This time we had time to figure out how to get the bus ticket settled and had time to grab a bite to eat. Everyone in the airport was so nice and friendly (as we found out every Irish person was) and told us getting on the bus to Letterkenny with our Donegal ticket would be no problem! It wasn't until we got on the bus that we realized it was a small problem. The bus driver was very in distress about us using "the wrong ticket" so much for it being no problem. So we held up the bus departure time but after calling his supervisor the dilemma was handled and we were on route to Donegal a 3 hour bus ride!
From the bus we were picked up by my Great Aunt Sally. Even though I had't seen her in a few years I immediately recognized her when I got off the bus. We hopped into her car and of course were mind boggled by the whole driving on the right side thing! It really throws you off!! It was a 20 minute car ride down dark, narrow roads, and after 12 hours total of traveling we finally arrived at my cousin Loretta's house. Her house was beautiful!! It looked like a house right out of a home magazine! Exhausted, it was not long before Loretta was showing us up to our rooms and we were passing out.
After the best sleep ever, Loretta's beds were like sleeping on a cloud, we woke up early to get ready for the day. Loretta had work that day so her sister Catriona would be taking us out for the day. As we got ready for the day we soon realized that Loretta also had the worlds greatest shower! We could actually move in a shower unlike our lovely 2x2 shower in our Florence apartment where the curtain sticks to you the whole time. In addition we had the most lovely breakfast! Loretta had gotten us bagels, eggs, bacon, croissants, everything you could hope and dream for in breakfast foods was there. Loretta is truly amazing! Around 11 Catriona picked us up to head over to hike Mount Errigal. It had been 15 years since I last saw my cousin Catriona, it also had been 15 years since I last was in Ireland!
Mount Errigal is a 751 meter hike up and the tallest peak of Donegal. Most people kind of snake there way up the mountain but we decided to take the direct route up! The climb was crazy! Luckily Catriona had brought some hiking boots with her and I had taken her up on wearing them because the mountain was so muddy at the bottom!! Amanda and Olivia were not so fortunate and got there shoes covered in mud but they were great sports about it! The hike up took us about an hour and a half but the whole time was full of none stop chatter and catching up with my cousin. When we reached the top the view was breath taking. There is no way to describe the true beauty of Ireland or what it feels like to be standing at the highest point of Donegal looking over the whole county. Catriona had packed us tea, coffee, and chocolate for a victory party at the summit! This started us all on an addiction to Ireland's best....Lyons tea (I am my parents daughter because I truly am addicted...4 cups in 2 hours a few days ago) CRUNCHIES...I know these have been in my house, dad why didn't you tell me how delicious they are?!?!? and Mars Bars which are like the equivalent to a 3 musketeer bar. We devoured the candy and the tea and after sitting for a bit we decided to head back down. The hike down only took us about an hour but Taylor feel about 5 billion times and ended up covered in mud by the time we made it to the car!
Next we headed over to Glenveagh National Park, which is the second largest National Park in Ireland. They had the cutest tea room where we all went into for a little lunch. After lunch we walked around the park which was once again beautiful and breathtaking! It was on the lake and there was a castle on the grounds as well! You could spend the whole day walking around the park! It was huge! We only had about 2 hours there but it was amazing! On the way back to Loretta's, Catriona asked if we had tried a Guinness in Ireland yet, of course we hadn't since we had only been there for only a few hours so she stopped at a local pub to make sure we got our first! The pub was very authentic! Had a nice fire going and all! Catriona watched as we all tried our first real irish Guinness. Thank god I liked it because Catriona told me I wouldn't be truly Irish unless I liked Guinness. When we had all finished our half pints we headed back to Loretta's to get changed and ready to go out to dinner. We hung out with Loretta while we got ready and hung out in her kitchen. Her son Stefan also hung around a bit and it was nice meeting him for the first time!
We went out to dinner at a hotel restaurant in town with Catriona. The food was incredible!! We got a "Wagon Wheel" appetizer and I had cod with avocado and mango salsa...I could eat that a million times over! My cousin Atlanta and her boyfriend Leon joined us towards the end of dinner and we cleared the place out chatting and exchanging stories! Atlanta is another cousin I haven't seen since I was 5 and were actually only two days apart! Atlanta and Leon drove us back to Loretta's and we all went inside. Again we were all back in the kitchen chatting and laughing, trading off words and expressions that differ from America and Ireland. Our best one was "shifting" which Catriona had taught us earlier in the day. It means making out in Ireland. Before we knew it, it was getting late and Atlanta and Leon were off and it was time to head up to bed again to get rest for the next days activities!
The next day it was our day with Loretta. Loretta took us up to Slieve League, the highest point in Europe! The mountains are located on the Atlantic coast and, I have been saying this about everything but, once again the view, the experience, everything was UNREAL!! I have never been to a country as beautiful as Ireland! The colors of the mountain, the grass, the sheep, the water....simply breathtaking. No words, or pictures could ever describe the feelings of truly being on top of the world. We drove up most of the mountain...cheaters...haha but we did do some hiking and take loads of pictures! We even tried to take pictures with the sheep but the kept running away! Which brings me to another point..the sheep are EVERYWHERE!! They are like deer in America! Except they are so much cooler! After walking around Slieve League for a bit we headed back down to a tea shop (the theme of Ireland...TEA!) but we actually all ended up switching it up and getting hot chocolate and cookies. In the tea shop we asked for directions to get down to the beach area of Slieve League. We went down small country roads and even passed a farmers market kind of fair where they were having a sheep auction! The countryside on the way down was amazing! When we arrived at the beach we had to walk down steep stairs to get to the bottom. You know what I am going to say, the beach was amazing! I have never been to the beach in cold weather wearing a northface! There were people fishing on the beach and we even saw someone catch a fish!
After the beach we headed over to Donegal town to get lunch. We had yet another amazing lunch at a place called Blueberry, one of Loretta's favorites! The food was delicious, we got soup, sandwiches and fries..yummmm! We explored the town a little, stopping in a few souvenir shops and all making purchases! From there it was back to Loretta's once again! When we got back to Loretta's of course we all had tea! We took showers and drank Coronas with Loretta as we waited for my Uncle Hughy and Aunt Sally to come by and visit! Loretta is the coolest to hang out with, we felt so at home! When my Uncle Hughy arrived Loretta commented as he headed up to the door that he was wearing his jacket and tie because anytime there are visitors he gets dressed up! I spent the next few hours talking with my Aunt and Uncle who were such a pleasure to be around! My Aunt Sally soon insisted that we headed over to Catriona because she had gotten us some irish tea and snacks and we couldn't leave without them! It also happened to be Catriona's birthday! Stefan, Amanda, my Aunt Sally and I went over and I got to meet all Catriona's little babies for the first time!! They were adorable!!! The youngest is only four months old, the next two, and the oldest is three. Before we left Catriona gave us a huge bag of crunchies, lyons tea, irish caramels, everything we had raved and devoured at Mount Errigal and more! Soon it was time to say goodbye and go back to Loretta's because Atlanta was taking us over to her friends 21st birthday party.
Atlanta's boyfriend picked us up and we loaded all our bags into the car. It was time to say goodbye to Loretta as well. It was hard saying goodbye to our amazing host but luckily I should be seeing her this summer because she is planning on coming to America! On the way to the party we made Leon imitate an American accent and I attempted to imitate an Irish one...fail for me. At the party we were greeted by the birthday girls mother who welcomed us with open arms saying "You're all welcome!! You're very welcome here." We then were greeted by the birthday girl and all her friend who were saying the same thing! Like I said before Irish people are truly the nicest, most welcoming people I have ever met. They really go out of there way to make people feel at home. We were taken to the back where a huge tent was set up and a DJ. The mother than herded us over to the food table and told us to eat and drink whatever "You're all welcome!!" Atlanta of course too made us all feel at home and comfortable getting us drinks and chairs...amazing, amazing people. The party was a blast with a ton of throw back songs and the irish hit Galway Girl. Everyone from the party then headed out to the club. We stayed at the club until it closed and then took a cab back to Atlanta's apartment in Letterkenny. Atlanta just like my other cousins was incredibly hospitable offering us tea and blankets upon arrival AND building a fire. Leon came down too and Atlanta and him stayed up with us until we had to get on our bus back to Dublin...by the way we had a 5:30 am bus ride and we got back from the club at around 3:30/4 so after a quick hour at Atlanta's it was already time for them to take us to the bus and head back to Florence. Our flight was at 10:20 and we just made it to the airport on time...another close call! But we arrived back in Florence safe and sound and then proceeded to sleep for the next 12 hours!
I could write a novel about my time in Ireland, I feel like I practically have. Immediately after leaving Ireland I felt a pit of sadness because the trip and my family had been so incredible I didn't want to leave. I felt so at home. This entire trip I know I will miss hanging out in Loretta's kitchen listening to music! I went a little Ireland crazy because also upon immediate arrival in Florence I started looking into getting dual citizenship and started looking up flights to see if I could visit one more time...there may or may not be some irish music on my ipod now....I finally get why my dads all irish crazy! I truly have found a whole new appreciation and love for where my family comes from. Ireland, I know I'll be back soon!
Slán!
(Goodbye in Gaelic)
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