(Blog 4)
Weather: Since arriving in Ireland we have been very fortunate that the weather has been, for the most part, sunny with mild temperatures. This week however, our luck finally ran out! For the first time since our arrival we had almost 6 days straight of very cold wind and rain. It even snowed a few times, although it didn't stick around for long. That being said, if you don't bring rain boots with you (trust me I know they take up a lot of space), it would be a good idea to stop in Dunn's and pick up a pair of cheap rain boots. Even if your are just walking to class or a quick walk into Spiddal, wet socks are no fun and they make the lack of hot showers even more apparent. If you have high hopes of taking a warm shower to get away from the cold, think again.This is probably the biggest comfort from home that I miss. Limiting shower times to 5 minutes and still having the water only barely above luke warm can be quite the challenge. I would also suggest that you bring a few scarves for this time of year. It is crazy the difference that it makes when you're outside walking!
Rag Week: This week we were told by several of the locals that we should go into Galway for something called Rag Week. This is similar to the end of finals week back home but on a much larger scale. For an entire week students finish final tests and take a week off of classes to let loose and relax from school stress. It isn't contained to only Galway or only students however. People come from all over Ireland to Galway for this week long celebration. It was a fantastic way to meet people from all over Ireland in a short period of time. We met new friends from as far away as Dublin (3 Hours) and even people from Northern Ireland. It seems that this is a really big deal in all of Ireland and I am so thankful we were here to experience it!
During Rag week there are a few small restaurants that stay open much later than normal as well to accommodate the large influx of people coming to celebrate. We happened to stumble upon a small pizzeria that was open late. It is right off the main drag of shop street. Its called Pizza and Pasta Napoli. This was some of the best pizza I have ever had and for only 3 Euros! If you are a huge fan of pizza like I am, I suggest you find your way to it day or night its worth giving a try!
Aran Islands: My final adventure for my third week in Ireland was a trip by ferry to the Aran Islands. We stayed at the largest of the three islands; Inis Mor. We rented bikes and followed a tour guide around the island. By the time we were done with our various stops we had ridden 10 miles by bike and walked more that 4! I'm glad I chose to wear yoga pants that day and sturdy tennis shoes! We stopped at a small local goat farm, the ruins of Dun Aengus, the worm hole, and a few small hand woven wool shops. The bike ride was very enjoyable but if you don't exercise somewhat regularly (and even if you do) there were a lot of hills and, especially in the cold, it became a bit difficult to continue riding towards the end. If you choose to ride to bikes: Stop! take pictures, enjoy the beautiful views and do it at your pace. You will have so much fun!
Goat Farm: This was small goat farm we had the privilege of stopping at and learning about. The tiny goats were all born within the week before we arrived and were so adorable! It was admirable that the man who owned the farm had started his goat cheese business fairly recently and in such a remote location, however he had already expanded his business to the souther half of Ireland and was working on getting business further North. Everyone that we met on the island was full of kind words and helpful information. I don't think I saw a single person without a smile on their face. It was really refreshing!
Dun Aengus/ The Worm Hole: The two big land marks we saw while on the island were the fort of Dun Aengus and the Worm hole. Both were quite the hike but the breathtaking views were well work the uneven rocky walk. Dun Aengus had a 150 foot drop straight into the water for anyone unfortunate enough to mis-step. Watching the water lap at the bottom of the cliff from above was beautiful and honestly the words to describe just how vast the ocean looked from on the cliff totally escape me. It definitely made me feel small. The other place we visited, (the worm hole), was the site of a natural hole formed in the lime stone inland creating a square "pool." It is the site of a red bull diving competition every summer and to think the amount of time required for the water to naturally erode a perfect rectangle is crazy! I felt risky sitting with my feet over the edge, I can't imagine diving into it from so high in the air!
Dun Aengus/ The Worm Hole: The two big land marks we saw while on the island were the fort of Dun Aengus and the Worm hole. Both were quite the hike but the breathtaking views were well work the uneven rocky walk. Dun Aengus had a 150 foot drop straight into the water for anyone unfortunate enough to mis-step. Watching the water lap at the bottom of the cliff from above was beautiful and honestly the words to describe just how vast the ocean looked from on the cliff totally escape me. It definitely made me feel small. The other place we visited, (the worm hole), was the site of a natural hole formed in the lime stone inland creating a square "pool." It is the site of a red bull diving competition every summer and to think the amount of time required for the water to naturally erode a perfect rectangle is crazy! I felt risky sitting with my feet over the edge, I can't imagine diving into it from so high in the air!
One of our last stops before heading back to the hostel was a series of 3 small shops that all sold hand woven goods. They had anything from hats and sweaters, to socks and blankets. I stopped to chat with one lady who was in the process of making ear muffs. She has lived on the islands her whole life and makes a living from hand knitting wool from a local sheep farmer. She was wonderful conversation and the goods she was making were one of a kind and beautiful! I'd heard of Aran wool before but getting to see it being made first hand was truly wonderful. I wish I could share all of the wonderful pictures from this beautiful place but this will have to do for now! Until next blog Slante!