Off we go!

Rewind....

Monday April 11th: Departing Ireland & Day 1 in London

After finishing our Irish exam we stayed up packing and preparing for the trip. Walking to the bus station  at 1:00 to catch our 1:45am bus would get us to the airport much earlier than we needed to be there. However, we did this just to be safe, incase it broke down. This happened to friends of ours on their way to Sweden. Their bus broke down between Galway and Dublin causing them to miss their flight.  To be safe we took the early bus meaning we arrived in Dublin at 4:45am. Finding the blue and yellow ryanair gates was not too difficult, neither was security.... The first time. One of the officers noticed my 110ml eye makeup remover and confiscated it because it was 10ml over the size limit. Needless to sayI wasn't thrilled, but it certainly wasn't the end of the world. Now we were in the clear. Looking at our passports we never had them stamped. Friends of mine traveling from Ireland to London had an issue with this. I didn't remember the exact details, but not wanting to run into the same issue I checked our boarding passes. It stated "All Non EU passengers must go to the bad drop/visa check desk before going through security to have their travel document checked and boarding pass stamped or travel will be refused." Seeing as though our passports weren't stamped I wasn't sure if we had fulfilled everything we needed to. Noticing this we talked to a security officer and were escorted backwards through security. Coming back to the ryanair desk they looked at our boarding pass and commented we already had the stamp we needed. Great so that was completely unnecessary and here comes security round two. Thankfully it went smoothly. No more confiscations. This left us with 2.5 hours until our flight to London.

         5:15am pb&j always makes for a good breakfast. Abby C. made trail mix with almonds, maltesers and crasins, working as a nice snack as well.

We also had a wonderful view of...a crack.

    Again when in Ireland, say yes to craic, say no to crack. Hopefully there's jobs for plumbers in London because we had just the guy.

 Sleeping in the airport is a bit difficult as the sunrises streaming it's bright rays through the giant glass windows.

Queuing early we watched a flight stewardess check baggage and boarding passes. Ryanair is much different than the states airlines for several reasons. The most dramatic differnce is price. Our flight to London cost £12. If only flights within the U.S. were so cheap! Next is the luggage size. Only one piece of luggage is allowed on ryanair flights. This includes purses and all personal items. It's a bit ridiculous as I witnessed one gentleman have to pay £35 for having two tiny bags. The size of his two minuscule bags paled in comparison to my one bag, yet he still had to pay simply because he couldn't fit one inside the other to make them "one bag". My carry on bag to come to Ireland was larger than that allowed on this flight. A bit nervous Abby C. and I packed and repacked attempting to make our bags fit within the regulations.

Boarding the plane is also much different as there is no assigned seating. Waiting on the tarmac it's everyman for themselves as people run to the plane. With a door in the front and back people run to each end of the plane to secure a seat. A bit chaotic compared to the states. However, you never really have to worry about not being able to sit next to a traveling companion because of the lack of assigned seats.

After short 2 hours in the air we landed at London-Stansted airport. It was handy to have just one bag and not worry about baggage claim or lost luggage. No one stamped or even looked at our passports. No cool London stamp in our passports... Bummer : (

Stansted is about an 1hr 15min from downtown London. Getting a bus into the city we were worn out by the time we located our hostel. With a bar in the bottom and hostel above it was a bit sketchy. But the price was decent, so we couldn't complain. Not to mention the staff were incredibly accommodating, even offering to print out any tickets for us if needed.

Orgiginally our plan was to meet Joy and Joel, friends from Galway also on Holiday in London.

Our Canadian friend Joy & Joel

 However, we found the trip to meet them was quite a distance away and we were already wiped. Instead we chose to find cheap food and explore the area near our hostel. A baguette for £.79 and Brie cheese £1.49 was the cheapest thing we could find. Good enough for us! Studying our map, Hyde park was quite close to the hostel. We set off for green grass, sunshine and a picnic. Wow! Of course we've seen plethora of green in Ireland however, I didn't expect London, a major city to have such a large green space. This would be a reoccurring theme as we ran into park after park. It all made sense after reading London has 146 parks. When including royal parks and open green spaces the city boasts 3,000 the most of any large city it's size. With beautiful warm sunshine Abby C. And I ate our baguette and cheese taking in our new surroundings.

Brie & Baguette

Map of London. Very useful.

Finishing our picnic we walked back to our hostel to put our bags in our room, as we were unable to upon arrival. Seeing as though there was a good portion of the afternoon left we decided more exploring was in order. The infamous Abbey Road located several blocks north was a close enough walk. This was a must see destination, however a street market sidetracked us. Beautiful Clark shoes lined the street. The prices seemed too good to be true, so we moved on. Rather than head north we continued on in our current direction. Taking us to Regents Park we were immediately captivated by the parks beauty. Flowers spread across the park near and far. Every color and variety of flower was featured in endless flower beds. Weeping willows gracefully dotted the banks of several ponds, their branches dancing in the soft breeze. Whit as snow, swans swam back and forth creating delicate ripples in the water. The scene was truly out of a movie. By far the most romantic park I'd ever been in. It was difficult to keep exploring as I stood captivated by the magnificent sight in front of me. Every bend in the pat a new magical scene lie ahead.

WARNING: Ridiculous amount of pictures to follow

  
      By this time I had been up for about 34 hours. Finding a nice grassy area sloping downward we laid down to soak in the sun; quickly falling fast asleep. Waking up a full hour later I could hear passerbyes commenting on us. "Oh, how cute. Look at those girls!" "Hey, those two have the right idea." "haha did you see the girls over there? I wonder how long they've been there?" If these comments were made by several different couples in the short amount of time while I was waking up, I can't imagine how many commented on us throughout the hour.

Purses come in handy for so many things...like pillows!

I must say it tops my list as one of the best naps I've ever taken. Napping in parks is a reoccurring theme throughout this holiday. Waking from our nap we continued on with the rest of the park and home to the hostel. Although it was only 6:30pm we could hardly keep our eyes open. By 8pm we couldn't take it any longer, off to bed. Getting 12.5 hrs our sleep we still almost slept through our alarm.

More adventures form London to come tomorrow

With Love from Galway

P.S.
I just received an Easter package from Grandma Viv!

Yummmm!

Reeses Eggs my favorite!!

Thank you Grandma!

He is Risen!

He Is Risen Indeed!

An early start to the morning as 5am rolled around bright and early. Although the alarm wasn't welcome the occasion certainly was. Celebrating the resurrection of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Galway City Baptist Church held a sunrise service at 6am on Galway Bay. Watching the rising sun as we sang in worship and gratitude the ocean wind swept across the bay.

Meeting on Galway Bay for sunrise service

Our little peak at the sunrise

      Thankfully Villy was kind enough to offer us a lift to the Bay and back to church for breakfast. Following the service breakfast was served at church.  Helping to prepare food Saturday evening Abby C. made caramel rolls.

A bit gooey

yes!!

Most of the Irish did not take them because they're not used to seeing such a thing. Apparently they don't eat caramel rolls, however, all of the Americans quickly snatched them up. It was humorous to note the faces of Joan and Sandlin, the pastors wives from the states. At the sight of caramel rolls their eyes widened as they exclaimed, "Who brought those?!? We need more of those around here!" Brunch was great, offering a wide variety of tasty dishes. With full bellies we had 3 hours to wait until the service began. Plenty of tearing down tables and setting up chairs was required before the service, however certainly not 3 hours worth. Sitting around the table we exchanged stories of brunches back home and our bucket lists. I wish I had more time with Villy, his stories from South Africa are absolutely nuts and entertaining to say the least.

An eggstravaganza was planned for the young children upstairs. Chocolate eggs, coins, pencils and fluffy chicks spread up and down the hallway allowing the children to collect them in their newly constructed Easter baskets. 

I thought I might get run over by the boys.

Travis having way too much fun.

Beautiful girls in beautiful dresses

Never too early to start eating your candy!

 The children each made bunny ears and received a chocolate bunny. Abby C. and I helped out with the children's activities and were able to participate as well.

Do you really think I'd turn down
bunny ears and chocolate?

It was finally time for the service. Singing worship songs Kirk then gave a sermon on The 5 Ways God wants Jesus' Rising of 33 A.D. To Influence My Easter Rising of 2011 A.D.

God wants Jesus' Easter Rising to influence me by having...

1....my searching to begin with Jesus. 

           Who or what am I searching for?

2. ...my doubts dispelled and replaced with faith in Jesus.

          Who or what am I trusting in?

3....my searching to end in worship of Jesus.

          Who or what am I worshipping?

4....me align my world view and that of Jesus' world view (Scripture).

         Who or what shapes my world view?

5....my message and story to be Jesus' message and story.

         Whose story or what story am I telling?

It was time for the congregation to say goodbye to Kirk and Sandlin as they head back to the states for their daughters wedding and time off to see family and friends. It was a bittersweet goodbye as they have done so much for me with their incredible generosity of time, service and love.

After the service we all pitched in to help wash teacups, stack chairs and roll away tables. Graciously Kirk and Sandlin invited Sarah (visiting for the week),  Sinead, Abby C. and I to their house for dinner as we were without family. 

What a memorable Easter. Our dinner with the Poths not only tasted delicious, but was sweet with friendship and laughter. Enjoying a fresh salad for dinner and rice krispie and seven layer bars for dessert it was a perfect meal! After dinner we sat around the table sharing stories for 3 hours. Hearing the story of how Kirk and Sandlin met just about sent tears of laughter streaming down my cheeks. So many entertaining tales were shared. How wonderful it is to rejoice in worship and fellowship with my church family celebrating our Saviors resurrection. He is risen indeed!

With Love from Galway

Wicklow: A Leahy Family Welcome

     It's been so long, but no worries I have many stories to share with you from my latest adventures.

Rewind....

Thursday April 7th
Hosting Thursday evenings 3D night the Poth family welcomed us to their cozy country home.

Stopping by the beautiful flowering trees
on our way to catch the bus to the Poths

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Straight?

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.

I can hear something below?!?...

We were pooped by the time we found it

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.

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.

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