I have the last day so I thought I should probably sum up this trip so far.
What can I say about this trip? So far there are plenty of things; amazing, awesome, extravagant, shocking, romantic, friendship, sickly, unique, eye opening, frustrating.
So many new experiences have been coming towards all of us. Some experiences flying at our faces, like almost being hit by a car because we were looking the wrong way. While others that take their time when you’re climbing up a cliff and working for it until you turn around and see the view before you.
There was a little trouble on the way here for a few of us. The frustrating part. Although that little detour in Chicago wasn’t a total loss. I got to see the Cloud Gate otherwise known as “The Bean” to some people.
We were on our way shortly though. Onto the next 7-8 hour plane ride.
The first few days in Dublin were great. There were shops a plenty and some serious amount of food. The real fun began when we laid claim to the town of Londonderry (Derry). We went to numerous restaurants such as the Ice Wharf and a Turkish kabob and a grill house. We have walked around most of the downtown parts of Derry which include the Peace Bridge, the Walled City, and even a cathedral. All of these places came with a plethora of history and it was a new experience to learn about it and then compare it to the history in the United States.
One of the magnificent sites we got to explore as a group was Giant’s Causeway. I enjoyed looking at the scenery of the water and the waves crashing on the dark rocks. We then took a hike and went to the top of the cliff. I stood near the edge and screamed “YAWWWHOOOO!” We then ventured to the rope bridge.
We have also gone to a castle at Glenveagh National Park. We did a tour of the castle and it was interesting to learn about its history. Instead of touring the garden we went on another hike into the mountains to look out of the castle. It was super windy, but I lifted Ashley into the air Patrick Swayze style.
On the way back down the mountain we strayed off of the regular path and onto some rock ledges that reminded us of Pride Rock from the Lion King. While we were taking pictures a hail storm hit us so hard. Austin got a few pictures with the hail behind him.
Tonight some of us went to a movie at the Omniplex in Derry. I have wanted to see a movie all week so this was particularly exciting for me. Before the movie started I had the whole theater cracking up from my jokes. The movie was hilarious, but due to copyright issues I can’t disclose the title of the movie.
While we were in Derry we bumped into some Spaniards who are also in an exchange program of their own at North West Regional College. Our cultures are different from each other, but in Derry we found common ground. I didn’t expect to have exposure to Irish as well as the Spanish culture. Due to the differences that we both face in this foreign culture we have banded together.
