La Vita Bella

So as I sat down to write this post I kind of fought with myself on how to approach it. (Don't you worry though, I did end up winning eventually) I've come to the conclusion that because it was so difficult to start that I just can not put to words a description of the past ten days I was able to spend in Italy and allow you to feel the same excitement about it that I have. Every time I would start to write I either would have way too much to say for a blog post or struggle with putting in too little because it leaves out way too much for you to get a real feel of what my experience was like. It was more than awesome and nothing less than liberating. For one, being in a completely different culture from Irish or American was amazing in itself. I have a new inspiration to become fluent in as many different languages as possible; a difficult task I know. But it was so neat, I was able to use/learn parts of 4 different languages on this trip. (Italian, Spanish, French, and Croatian). The Italian language though is so beautiful and so much fun to speak and now that I am back home in Ireland I still find myself thinking in Italian sometimes; but honestly I don't mind it one bit. Although, trying to talk in the Dublin airport upon returning and forgetting I could switch back to English proved to be quite funny. For example, when asking a security guard for directions to the bus I needed to catch I didn't realize I had been talking in Italian until he looked at me confused saying "Pardon?" and me responding with "Oops!" and covering my mouth as we both laughed. My over all experience in Italy however was so wonderful. I spent 3 days in Venice, 3 days in Florence, and 4 days in Rome. I keep being asked which is my favorite city and my rating goes a little like this because its so hard to compare: Venice is my favorite city to wander in and is probably the most unique and peaceful, Florence I would rate best for the amount of fun we had and for its beautiful buildings and sites all within walking distance, Rome is rated best for the amazing experiences I was able to stumble into having and best for its ancient historic sites (oh and most definitely rated #1 for its gelato :) ). I really can't describe to you the overall beauty of Italy though. I think the thing that struck me the most was the age and history of the places that I was able to walk through. It was unreal for me to think about the history as I wandered around and because of that alone I wouldn't trade the experience for the world. "If only time machines were real", I kept thinking.haha I wished I could feel what it was really like to walk through the cities in ancient times and be part of the culture but just being able to imagine it as I took in the surrounding scenery was good enough for me (my eyes probably as big as tennis ball looking like the stereotypical tourist trying to take it all in). I really am so blessed to have this experience abroad. We truly had so much fun in Italy! I don't think we went a day with out taking a break from laughing for more than 5 minutes. I loved all the people I was able to meet too, it certainly contributed to the... uniqueness of this adventure.haha  And the food...oh my...people don't rave about it enough! I will definitely be missing it as I return back to my lovely budgeted college diet. But because of the immensity of stories and information that I have to tell you and the difficulty I have choosing the experiences I want to put into my blog right now I think I will just attach some pictures and leave the descriptions in words for a time I see you all in person again. Do be forewarned however, you are all in for a talkative treat that's for sure. But its nothing a nice cup of coffee and a listening ear can't cure when I get home! I guess some people really don't come back the same. For me I think I will be the same for the most part, just more well rounded, talkative, and passionate about certain things. The biggest thing though that I am sure you will notice will be the increased intensity of the little travel bug inside me.There's soo much more to see that I just don't have enough time for in one semester. But I have my whole life ahead of me, I am not too worried. :) Until my next post however, I hope you can "live vicariously" with me through my pictures! (aka that means you Aunt Jay)

 

Mt. Brandon and Dingle

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)