Hello, readers! I’m writing this somewhere above Europe’s Skies en
route for a week and a half in Austria visiting my uncle. I’ve just finished a
wonderful week tour of southern Ireland with my family, and one oddball day of
meandering around a little town near the airport killing time until my 4am
shuttle back. I’m sorry it’s been so long since I’ve updated here, I’m three
days behind my own personal writing schedule, but will try to get back on track
now.
The first few days of our trip covered a lot of things in the
west I’d already seen, so I’ll focus instead on flying through the latter half,
which was all new! Probably my favorite part was our drive through the scenic
ring of Kerry, which is really just a gorgeous drive up along a mountain road,
contrary to my prior belief that it was some sort of ancient well preserved ring
fort or Stonehenge contraption. There were baby sheep everywhere, like the
first day at Bunratty, and I finally understand why they’re the symbol of
spring and new beginnings.
One of the lower points on the week, though through no fault
of the guide or anyone on our trip, was our tour of the beautiful Waterford crystal factory. I was surprised by this, because
I wasn’t expecting to be particularly moved in any way by the experience,
thinking we’d just be looking at a bunch of pretty bowls, bugged to buy
something, and then be on our merry way. I felt a little ripped off that the
crystal wasn’t even made in the city anymore, and unsure what the point of even
going would be, but then was soon presented with a very different story. Our
guide was an older gentleman who had worked as a carver at Waterford for 40
years, and as he told the tale of the company being taken over by the bank, but
a select few (of which I suspect he was one) fighting very hard to keep the
name, and finally winning the rights to produce a few special pieces in
Ireland, and oversee much of the overseas production. It all seemed like a very
personal struggle, and as he softly spoke of the bygone days of Waterford glory
I couldn’t help but mourn with him. The crystal factory still prepares
trophies, special orders, and the most ornate of pieces, but the majority of
the work is now done elsewhere. It was fascinating to tour the area where they
do those few select jobs: I’ve always been impressed with the process of glass
blowing, and the intensity of the concentration during the engraving process
was definitely impressive.
Another day
during the trip, I was also supremely impressed with the Skelling Experience, which was a dynamic presentation
about this incredibly remote island monastery with thousands of steps and
centuries of Viking-riddled history. I’ve since decided that I want to go and
climb it for myself, because it looks like one of those fantastic National
Geographic adventures and it would also make a really good story for here.
Anyone who wants to come too, let me know. J
-----------
The plane landed and I got distracted, so I’m finishing this
up after my first day in Vienna: I’m going to fly through the rest of this and
sleep soon, but it’s already so delayed so here goes.
·
We toured several big old houses that reminded
me of Pride and Prejudice, and also what little I know of Downton Abbey (I
watched my first episode last night in the Dublin B&B!) Our guide in one
went on a tangent about the beautiful landscapes in the US, mostly Arizona and
the Grand Canyon. I’ve never been out there, but it put things into “grass is
always greener” perspective for sure.
·
Overall a lot of our trip was filled with shops
and photo ops, but we stopped off at several new places and the best part was
the general unstressed nature of everything. There were moments of general
familial rukus, but despite all that I was definitely very sad and lonely right
after they left me in the Dublin Airport. At that point, I wasn’t excessively
concerned about finding my B&B, only a little, but just felt alone and
wished that I had perhaps been nicer to them the final day instead of quabbling
over computer usage with one of my sisters.
·
While our trip began with a glorious feast, it ended with an Irish
traditional dance and music show. There was a great selection of entertainment
and lots of food. During one of the final numbers, the trained professional
dancers went through the crowds selecting a few audience members to come
onstage with them. You know how when you’re little and at a show and they ask
for a volunteer and everyone throws their arms into the air as far as they can
reach, yelling ‘ooh ooh ooh pick me pick me”? This was not one of those
situations, and somehow the smiling Irishman pointed to me from the front table
and I shook my head and he looked so crestfallen that I couldn’t say no, so I
ended up getting on stage and attempting to step dance.
·
I also danced a little bit earlier in Waterford
when my dad, sister and I ended up at a small local pub, but only after being
asked repeatedly and then sat down very quickly. My dad also gave me a shout
out by requesting Galway Girl and told the guitarist all about our family and me
studying abroad. I acted all embarrassed each time he told a shopkeeper or bus driver
about how he hadn’t seen me since January first and how I’d gotten most of my
final essays done ahead of time to go on my upcoming travels and wasn’t that so
responsible of me, but it was deep down touching and special. Not everyone is
lucky enough to have someone who cares enough about them to brag and miss, and I’ve
been graced with two; my dad, especially and always, also Tyler recently.
·
The weather was perfect, we were exceedingly
lucky to only have one somewhat rainy day in Galway at the very beginning
before joining the tour- apparently they kept missing the rain, because when it
was raining in Galway before they got there it was dry wherever they were.
(this is ending without much conclusion, but that's because it has a part two/postscript- coming soon!)
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