Pb&Js and Castles

The most significant thing I have learned from my two times studying abroad is that 4 months just isn't enough time to see and really get to know a country. If only I could trade in the whole school part and in return have enough time to slowly walk from city to city and take my time starring at each deteriorating castle pondering the parties and people that used to inhabit it. 


Considering my wallet is eating itself because it is so empty, Kelly & I spent the last two weekends only going on day trips to soak up as much of this side of the island as possible. Last weekend we went to Cashel (pronounced cash "ul" instead of cash "L") and saw the Rock of Cashel, which looks exactly like a castle but  is technically monastic ruins. Ruins, shooruins, I just want to call it a castle and pretend like I'm a princess. 

 Cahir castle, where we had an hour to kill in between bus rides.

 It seems as if the flowers here have burst into life over night. It's been fun to experience "seasons" and watch Ireland become even greener by the second, but I still prefer my perfect (nearly) year round sun at home.

 Rock of Cashel and an appreciated blue sky.

 "Welcome to our home! You can place your glass slippers and magical wands in the closet to the right."

 It lightly rained on and off, all the while staying sunny. We found a hidden little room with nobody inside and had our lunch. Nothing like the simplicity of a peanut butter & jelly sandwich in the backdrop of walking around ruins from the 12 century.

 Never ending green hills.

 Rock of Cashel and a hill full of talkative sheep.

 Across the street was an abbey- a little less noticed but just as fun to explore.

 Nothing beats hanging out in an abbey eating cookies.

 Cashel

After a 20 minute downpour, the sky left us with a little surprise.

Although being in Ireland in spring has meant I've had to wear at least 3 layers daily and occasionally give myself prep talks consisting of "You can do it!" and "you'll survive!" before walking to class during 40 degree afternoons, there are at least a few upsides.
1. I can wear the same shirts day after day and nobody would ever know considering it's never warm enough to take off the sweater, jacket, and scarf I have on top.
2. Speaking of scarfs- they're the best. Got an old shirt you never wear? Throw a scarf over it and wa-la! It's a whole new thing.
3. When that one random Wednesday does eventually come where you only have to wear ONE sweater to class, there's a whole new reason to be ecstatic. How unfortunate I have been to never have had the excitement of de-layering until now.
4. Most importantly- tourist season hasn't hit yet and most of the "hot spots" are practically empty and are there for our taking.

Sarcasm aside, Ireland has been giving the gift of 60 degree days and I'm beyond thankful. I love being here and the whole country is absolutely gorgeous, but I could never permanently live somewhere with so little sunshine.

Our trip this last weekend was to a cute little town, Adare, only about 20 minutes away from UL.

 Walking to the manor through fields of these.

 Dedicated to all the awkward fail pictures that come from attempting jumping photos.

 Finally!

I taught kelly the "paige" stance. 

A 19th century security man's humble abode?

 And now mine? #1 On my Christmas wish list.

 Desmond (Adare) Castle... People can only enter through tours in the summer since it's so old and fragile., so this is as close as we got.

 My first home is a castle and my second a manor... so I thought I'd keep it simple and get a cute little irish thatched cottage as my third. Otherwise titled, "I eat porridge for every meal and am a member of countless book clubs."

In exchange for pricey trips around europe, we can only afford bricks of bread for lunch.

This semester has flown by quicker than any other period of my life. We only have 1 week left of school. Did you hear that? O-N-E week, 7 days. To clarify, this countdown is until Easter break, not until I die via a young girl with long black hair crawling through my television screen. Then, two weeks of travel for break, two weeks of finals, and two more weeks of travel with Lauren and Vanessa.

Easter break schedule:
Saturday-Tuesday: Rome
Tuesday- Friday: Florence (where I'll get to see Paige again!)
Friday- Sunday: Venice
Sunday night train- Thursday: Paris

Travel with the best-roommates-in-the-world schedule:
Dublin-->Lisbon-->Barcelona-->Geneva-->Amsterdam-->Copenhagen -->Dublin & then ------------> (17 hours worth) HOME!

This is all still about 80% unbelievable in my mind.