Surprise!

Why hello there! Its been a while since Ive written in my blog I know, mi dispiace. (for those wondering what that means its Italian for "I'm sorry"...my Italian is still very poor but I'm doing my best to learn a little bit before I leave...2 more weeks! :D) But I hope its a pleasant surprise for you to see that I'm making an attempt at writing a new post! However, you may be sad to note that this blog post will not be very long, sorry lads. Its more of my means of escape from my project for a little while. What better way then to spend it with you though right? ;) And then afterward, I need to go pack...and guess why! I finally get to go to Dingle this weekend! Im so happy I found the chance to go. All before I left everyone Ive met that has been to Ireland were telling me how it was a necessity to visit the southern peninsula because the scenery is so beautiful. And as an Irish man once told me: "you've got to do The Dingle". Which after those explanations, how could i pass it up? I've found that most of the things that are being checked on my list are things that are being added because I didnt know I would have the chance to do them. But this is one thing that was on there originally so the fact that soon ill be able to mark it off makes me quite excited. (well the fact of actually doing them, not so much writing a little ink check mark on a piece of paper because quite frankly that's not enough of a thrilling experience for me.. even if I put a lot of energy and excitement into it.) I think its so neat all the things Ive been able to add on though. Oh man do I have so many stories to tell since my last bit of writing...I apologize I dont have more time to write. Its a shame. However, more pictures are to come. You may just have to hang in there for the stories behind the pictures. Dont you worry though, the "gift of the gab" will come soon enough when I am back to tell you all about my experiences here. Its going to be hard to say goodbye to this lovely place. But as for now...time to get back to work. College is such an inconvenience here sometimes.

Ciao!

Adventures in the West of Ireland

The Falls Hotel. This is the beautiful place we were able to eat our delicious meals for free for the day. Including the best freshly baked scones and tea in the morning followed by dancing lessons in the banquet hall with the lovely Mary Clancy. (funny story about an Indian guy she made me dance with, but ill save that for a later date when i have more time to write)

The Falls outside the Falls Hotel.

More of Lahinch Beach but this time on a sunny day :)

Lemenagh Castle - The Burren (built by Connor O'Brien)

Our tour guide explained to us the story of how the Aillwee cave was found and it went a little like this: "One day a man went for a walk with his dog. His dog chased a rabbit down into a hole in the ground and the man chased down after it stumbling into the cave system." He then went on to say that the story got back around town that, "Jake chased a rabbi down a hole and trapped him cowering in a cave." This made me laugh quite a bit so I figured I'd share. The tour guide then proceeded to leave us and since I was in the front of the line I was left to lead the group finding our way out. Needless to say I can check "successfully lead a tour group through a cave system in Ireland" off my list...even if it wasn't on there in  first place its now listed and checked. Anyway, I was proud of my sense of direction in the dark.

Water fall in the cave. A little ways down from the water fall we also saw bones from a bear dated over 2000 years old which was neat because bears have been extinct from Ireland for thousands of years.

Looking out in the direction of the Aran Islands.

Sleepy animals.

Windy road through The Burren

Keep posted for Mowgli and Baloo's adventure of the mysterious disappearing castle

London!! (Thanks for waiting patiently Aunty Jay :P)