Rewind....
Thursday April 7th
Hosting Thursday evenings 3D night the Poth family welcomed us to their cozy country home.
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| Stopping by the beautiful flowering trees on our way to catch the bus to the Poths |
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| Meeting Kelly in Eyre Square for the bus |
The nights menu featured a salad bar, baked potatoes and chili. Most international students found it odd Mandy & I removed the foil from our potatoes to add toppings. Especially the Irish students who are used to eating loads of potatoes plain. For dessert Mandy baked a white bundt Cake as well as a chocolate Texas sheet cake. Yumm! Following dinner gathering in the living room we played 2 truths and a lie. Mine included:
1. I've landed on my head pole vaulting
2. I'm allergic to seafood
3. I love to get up at 5 am
...can you guess which is the lie?
Although I'm not actually allergic to seafood, I'm often tempted to use it as an excuse to refuse to eat it. Some lies were easier to pick out than others. For example when Hushang from Japan included "I'm Irish" as one if his statements. Finishing our game it was time for the film. Sandlin picked the film Big Fish, tieing in with our theme of lies and half truths.
Thursday was my first viewing of the film. Centering around the broken relationship of a father and son,
the film explores the life story of the father. With a passion for story telling and elaborate tales he exaggerates, making everything a bit more fascinating than reality. After viewing we enjoyed a great deal of discussion concerning the film. Was it wrong of the father to lie and exaggerate? Was the son stubborn in his attitude of not accepting his fathers love for exaggerated tales? How does pride tie in? It's always incredibly interesting to have so many walks of life in one room with very different views.
The theme of fearlessness was touched on as the father lived a relatively fearless life. Our discussion was intriguing and convicting. Although common sense must come into play, I feel as though I haven't been living fearlessly. Many opportunities I've passed up. Small events like going kayaking with Abby C. I've let go week after week. This comfortable attitude has bothered me, especially after Thursday evenings discussion. Praying that I would trust God with my future and live more fearlessly this new attitude has been laid on my heart. Go on more adventures, take advantage of a greater range of opportunities presented to me. Laying in bed praying Friday morning Sinead sent me a text inviting me to Wicklow for the weekend. Not making it to her baptism I missed meeting her family, something I looked forward to. In addition, Wicklow was high on my list of locations to visit. As the only area of Ireland I'd yet to visit, Wicklow is situated in the southeast area of the country. This opportunity was perfect! Shoot! Monday morning my Irish exam was to take place at 9:30am, not to mention leaving the same evening for my 10 day holiday. Maybe it's best I stay home to study, pack and feel completely ready for my trip. No way! Just a few seconds prior to receiving the texts I prayed for an opportunity like this. God had provided immediately. Praying about the devision I decided I would go visit beautiful county Wicklow, meet the Leahy family and set aside time to study for my exam while there.
Rushing to pack, our departure was 3:15pm, arriving in Dublin at 5:45pm.
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| Like all of my adventures, they begin in the bus station. |
Locating the Dart train we took a 50min ride down to Bray where Sinead's parents would collect us.
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| The Dart |
Having the desire to eat out, they called to let us know we would stay in Bray for the evening to eat at her Uncles pub.
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| Bray's Seaside. |
A bit anxious to meet her parents I wasn't sure if they were thrilled to find out about my accompanying Sinead just a few hours beforehand. Teresa, her mother introduced herself giving me a warm hug. Turning to her father Donal, he threw his arms open wide. As a man of very tall stature, 6'6" his wing span was quite large. Thinking he was simply trying to break the ice, with such a funny awkward gesture, I was wrong. He threw his big arms around me and gave me a large kiss on the cheek. Having never met him before I think this sort of gesture would have been uncomfortable with other males. However, there was a genuine love from a father that emanated from his warm smile and tight bear hug. With my own father having left just 2 weeks prior it was a sad reminder of how far away my he is. But also a wonderful welcome any daughter would love to receive from a father. Both welcomed me to Wicklow and treated me like their daughter the entirety of the weekend.
Sineads uncle owns a couple pubs in Bray. Using family ties we found Uncle John asking him to get us a table in the busy pub. While Sinead & Teresa looked for John, Donal bought me a drink. This was the first of many generous gifts throughout the weekend. Ordering a stir fry Teres's meal included prawns, seafood... Yuck. She offered I try one, I politely declined, but she insisted. Shoot, this is going to be gross. Hesitantly lifting the prawn to my mouth as my insides churned, it was shockingly good. Wow, I actually enjoyed a type of seafood? My chicken Penne pasta dish with garlic bread was exquisite. Paying for my meal the Leahy's refused to allow me to chip in. Heading for home it was dark out, making it impossible to enjoy Wicklow's beautiful scenery. However, simply by the bends, twists and turns in the narrow road I could only imagine the breathtaking views I'd take in the next morning. I was thrilled to find the Leahy's lived in the countryside. This is a dream come true. So badly I desired to live with a family in the countryside for my study abroad experience. God may have put me in a business park in a apartment, but he also gave me three wonderful days with a family in the beautiful countryside of Wicklow.
Rising early I was able to enjoy the beautiful sun, glowing over the Wicklow mountains and into the large glass kitchen windows. Leaving at 10am Sinead and I went to Lugala climbing to the top we ran into a photography class. I can't think of a better setting for a photography course. We also encountered hoards of cyclists. One would think it was the tour de Wicklow.
Wooden steps covered with wire wound up the mountain to it's peak.
From the top Sinead pointed out each mountain naming them and explaining certain locations used in films. Our hike down was just as spectacular taking in the wonderful view. Wicklow felt a little bit more like home as it features wooden fences rather than that of just stone fences in the rest if Ireland.
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| Way down in the distance there is a large home where celebrities stay on vacation. |
Following our hike up Glendalough we made our way to the National Park.
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| Straight? |
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| I could just barely see over the ledge! |
Unfortunately with the beginning of tourism season also comes full car parks. Both the first and second were full forcing us to park in the 3rd which requires €4. Rather than purchase cheap, greasy, over-priced tourist food we walked to a nearby hotel for lunch. Munching on a vegetable quesadilla I was more than satisfied with my meal. Tempted by the dessert menu Sunead and I split the bread and butter pudding. Sinead and I thoroughly enjoyed it which included cinnamon, sugar, bread, and raisins in a warm custard sauce with cream on the side. Oh my goodness was it nice.
Another little oddity or quirky difference between Ireland and the states is the adjectives used to describe food. Often times in the U.S. we'll use words like good or great to describe somethings taste. However, in Ireland the word nice is quite often used. Friday even dinner is another good example when Mrs. Leahy used the word gorgeous multiple instances to describe her meal.
Devouring our dessert we had plenty of calories to burn. Off we went to the see the infamous lake and find the waterfall. Lacking in confidence as to the direction of the waterfall we started up the mountain. Up and up we climbed reaching near the top Sinead could have sworn it wasn't this far of a climb. Hearing water rushing below us I began to laugh questioning Sineads advice to keep climbing. Hiking all the way down we found a simple turn to the left would have brought us to the waterfall rather than our climb to the top. Finally we found it. At last here was the Poulanass Waterfall. It wasn’t quite as impressive as those I’ve seen in Denver, but nonetheless beautiful.
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| I can hear something below?!?... |
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| We were pooped by the time we found it |
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| Poulnass Waterfall |
Wicklow is a popular setting for movies as the lake makes for a beautiful backdrop.
By this time Sinead and I were tuckered out. Time to hold cute puppies! Her Aunts dog recently gave birth meaning 7 spotted fur balls curled up in the barn. Sineads parents have agreed to take one of the puppies as their family dog is quite old. It has been quite some time since I’ve held a puppy. Tumbling over one another, wobbling back and forth the ups were adorable.
Although it was time for dinner we couldn’t help, but stop for a quick cone. Yum!
Calling from home Teresa asked we pick up a chicken and block of ice cream. Neither sounded unusually, however both tasks turned out to be different than that of home. Picking up a chicken in the states means mom wants me to swing by Pick ‘n Save to grab a rotisserie chicken. However, this stop was to the butchers for a fresh chicken. In addition the block of ice cream absolutely floored me. It was tiny! Don't let the angle of the photo deceive you, it was truly only an 1-1.5 inches thick.
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| Smallest block of ice cream I've ever seen. |
Our blocks of ice cream are four times the size. At the mention of it’s size the Leahy’s were appalled at the size. I couldn’t bring myself to tell them about our gallon pals of ice cream.
Our time was coming to a close as Sunday morning Sinead brought me to church where I was confused to be Irish. Success!! I've wanted this to happen and I thought it did in a pub with my family. Sadly it was just the opposite the man from Holland immediately knew I was American and though the rest of the family might be Irish. But this time it was for real. He truly though I was Irish. He was German, but never mind that.
After church we met up with Sarah Jane a friend of Sineads from church. Taking a walk on the beach we enjoyed the sights and sounds of families playing together enjoying the bright sunshine and warm weather.
Returning from our walk on the beach gave us just enough time to enjoy lunch and head back to Galway.
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| The view out the Leahy's patio doors. |
The Leahy family was very kind in welcoming me into their home. There are many more stories and small things I learned throughout the weekend, that I may add later. Most of all I learned to surrender my time and enjoy God's blessings for me in the moment. I did little studying for Irish and most likely will not do as well on the exam as I had hoped. However, my time the Leahy's was invaluable. Out of all of my traveling I can truly say it's been one of my favorite memories. I am blessed.
With Love from Galway
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