#6

 

May 18-20

 

Friday, May 18, 2012

Today was a busy day, but we don’t work on Fridays so I can’t complain too much. We started off our day with breakfast made by our program director, Susan. Every Friday both houses meet for a seminar meeting to discuss our week of work, Irish culture, and any questions or conflicts we have. This was a great time to discuss interactions with clients throughout the week and learn about our peers’ experiences as well. And well, I love breakfast so that was a plus!

 

Looking back on week one has made me realize a few things:

• I really enjoy the tea/coffee breaks twice a day (America works too hard)
• I love not having any homework to do at night (too bad I have school all summer).
• The Internet is amazing (and so is Skype).
• Buses driven by retired Irish men make me nauseas.
• I will probably drive on the wrong side of the road upon my return home.
• I think I am getting an Irish accent (according to Nick).
• Spiders do live in Ireland too…in my bed no matter where I go.
• No matter where you live or what job you have, Mondays still suck.

 

Our first stop was the megalithic tombs of Carrowmore. This is the largest cemetery of megalithic tombs in Ireland with tombs ranging from five and half thousand to six and a half thousand years old. Over 60 tombs have been recorded of which 30 are visible. This was a neat sight to see, but it was very chilly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next, we headed to W.B. Yeat’s grave. Yeat’s is a pretty big deal around Sligo, but I have to be honest…it was just a tombstone. We all enjoyed the tea, desserts, and soup in the coffee shop much better! The most entertaining part of this stop was the sheep running loose through the parking lot.

 

Our last stop of the day was Rosses Point. This beach gives a beautiful view of Dartry mountain range and Sligo Bay. I drank my first full Guiness at a pub called Austies at Rosses Point. I actually loved it! I have a feeling my dad is feeling very proud about this. J

 

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Mt. Croagh Patrick

I am feeling EXTREMELY accomplished today! Today we traveled to Westport, County Mayo to climb Mt. Croagh Patrick. This mountain is best known for the millions of pilgrims and visitors that make the trek to the top to pray at the stations of the cross, attend mass, or just enjoy the amazing view. Our guidebook references this mountain according to Christian tradition that, “St. Patrick went up the sacred mountain at festival time in 441 AD. After fasting at the summit for 40 days, he banished all the snakes and demons from Ireland. The site quickly became an important place of Christian pilgrimage.” When we told people in town we were climbing this mountain they all did the sign of the cross and told us to wear hiking boots.

 

 

Halfway up the mountain, “Remember when we didn’t get hiking boots? That may have been a good idea.” However, we did make it to Tessco (local grocery store) to purchase gloves and the hats with the ears…best 13 Euro I have spent so far!

 

The terrain on this mountain was VERY steep with lots of loose rocks. The pictures do not do justice to the difficulty of reaching the top. We were blessed to have such a “nice” day with no rain or sleet. We made it to the top and back down in approximately 4 hours…and we were tired! All of us fell on the way down at least once, but with no visible injuries. We all feel too proud of ourselves to let the falls get to us. It is safe to say we got a total leg work out today and I have come to terms with the reality that I may not be able to walk tomorrow.

 

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Galway/Graduation day at home

Beautiful city! It was nice to have the entire day to roam and wonder as we pleased. We got some shopping out of the way and cute new dresses for Dublin next weekend. I still manage to hit sales in Europe, grandma would be proud once again that I hit a 25% off sale! Woo hoo!

 

Overall, today was nice, but I am extremely bummed out that we didn’t get to venture out into the countryside to see the areas that are displayed in ‘P.S. I Love You’ (the movie). I envisioned green rolling countryside and suave Irish men around every bend…that didn’t happen. I guess that Gerard Butler is only an actor and it is just a movie, too bad. I have decided that I enjoy the tastefulness of a small Irish community with friendly locals and sheep causing traffic hour. The bustle of the bigger cities is not my favorite way to experience Europe, or Ireland and the U.K. at least.

 

I got an email from mom or dad today stating that I officially graduated according to my family that was present at CSM graduation. Congrats to my cousin, Sara, for officially finishing nursing school at CSM! Yay! All of the CSM students with me on this trip decided that it would kind of be a bummer to make a speech at graduation this year and end it with, “Congrats class of 2012, we did it...see you all in class on Monday!” One more year…we CAN do it!

 

Tomorrow is Monday…Cheers!