We pulled into the Dublin City port in a black Mercedes taxi headed to terminal 1. BAM! There it was, our huge Irish ferry. It looked like a cruise ship. After walking up some stairs and hallways we were on. Then we entered into a gorgeous lobby with jolly crew members greeting us. We made our way down the outside edge with red velvet carpet, and leather on either side designating seating areas. We sat by a window in some comfy chairs when it hit me, we were on a ferry headed to Holyhead. In three hours we will be in a new country. Wondering around the ferry we found a movie theater, casino room, arcade, playground, shop and café. The Irish port disappeared into dark blue sea and a light blue clear sky. Soon the England coast was insight. We exited through a cold dim gray metal tunnel. Once on the other side we realized we actually hit Wales when the signs not only had English but Welch as well. Then we took a series of buses, trains, and subways to get to Reading. From there Laura’s friend picked us up in a tiny green car to take us to her home in Wokingham. There she made us a chicken fajita dinner. She is a fun and nice woman. I feel comfortable here with my friends, her, her husband and her two dogs in a small two bedroom cozy home.
Tuesday
Guinness Storehouse – 15.5.2010
We walked long ways from our hostel to the Guinness Storehouse for a tour. It is in a different area of town obvious by the vibe it gave off. Not high class shops not as well kept a much more lived in area sure. We spotted the first sign and the excitement began to build. But the sign was only one of many taking us on a maze it seemed like to get us to the actually storehouse. After going through the normal kind of lobby and buying ticket routine we traveled up an escalator to the bottom of the Guinness glass in the center of the building. That is where the self guided tour began. The lights were low only highlighting certain elements in the exhibit. The sound of rushing water pulled us through the exhibit which was there to represent the pure and fresh water used to brew Guinness. Each of the five levels was different. We learned what it is made of how it made, how it began, how it has changed over the years in symbolism and advertising and so much more. When we reached the fifth floor it was midday and time for some food. We ate at the restaurant over looking the whole complex and Dublin. We could see the spire and multiple Cathedral bell towers in the distance from the window at the end of our table. The food was delicious and perfect to prepare our stomachs before we had our complimentary pint of Guinness. We checked out the gravity bar at the top where there is a 360 degree view of Dublin. As the doors of the elevator parted human noise exploded in our ears. Soon the reason for the noise was visible. People of all ages were everywhere almost packed like sardines in chairs and standing around you could barely see the window let alone look out of it. We did not stay long due to that and because we were ready to pour the perfect pint of Guinness and drink it a couple of levels down. We waited in line with so many internationals watching people before us pour their Guinness. Then it was our turn. A small group of seven of us lined up behind the bar and listened to the instructions the bartender told us. Taking turns in groups of two or three we poured the perfect Guinness. Our reward was a certificate and the pint of Guinness to drink. We spent a good chunk of our day there and later that night after a few last minute souvenir stopping, packing and fast dinner we walked to the Arlington Hotel and Restaurant for some live Irish music and dancing. We walked in toward the bar looking for the stage. This place was busy and so packed people were to standing. Luckily enough there were three bar chairs facing the stage. The only problem with these seats was there was a primary circulation path and cows of tables between us and the stage. When the dancers came out we could barely see them past all the heads and column. The disappointing factor for me was not being able to see their feet. I was happy though because I remembered I had wanted to have an Irish coffee in Ireland and this was my last opportunity. It was warm with an inch thick layer of white cream on top, strong but delicious. It was the perfect treat to end the day and my time in Ireland.
Monday
Dublin II – 14.5.2010
Awoken by the blinding sunlight the three of us headed off to Stephens Green Park to make the most of the good weather. We learned fast that the weather here changes an innumerable amount of times in one day and it almost always rains for a short while. Laura and Alli both enjoyed themselves as much as I had hoped and expected. Then as midday began to approach we took off towards the other side of the Liffey. That is where we experienced the National Leprechaun Museum. It was a small new place that just opened up recently and is only temporary. After the introduction we walked through a tunnel and became the size of a leprechaun. Then we walked into the first room where our small size was up in our faces. The furniture was three times our size. I felt like Alice in Wonderland as I climbed up on to the giant chair. Two minutes later I was seated on the chair and was trying to reach for the mug as large as my head on the table in front of me. It was exhausting. The rest of the museum was different but all were well crafted exhibits to explain Irish folklore. At the end we got to meet the designer/owner. He designs and builds furniture for the wealthy in Dublin. Then some of the rest of the people who worked there told us more stories. Our stomachs began to distract us and dictate our next plan of action, lunch. After our tummies were full and content we walked to the Savoy Movie Theater for an afternoon showing of Robin Hood. The exterior blended in with the surrounding buildings until you walked inside. The red velvet curtain was hanging with spot lights hitting it as a sea of matching velvet seats sat between me at the back of the theater and the curtain. Wow! It looks like an old theater turned movie theater. The other awesome detail was the restrooms were inside at the back of the theater instead of out in the lobby. The movie was entertaining and enjoyable as I consumed a small bag of Irish candies. Afterwards we went to the Tara Street Train Station where we met up with a relative of mine, David Carroll. From there we took the train to the Coolmine stop and walked a couple of blocks and arrived at his house. There we joined him and his family for dinner. It was nice to talk to them. Claire his sister even played her concertina and tin whistle for us. The homemade Guinness stew was absolutely divine. Time flew by so fast due to us enjoying ourselves we almost missed the last train back.
Green, Green, Green – 13.5.2010
I am in Dublin, Ireland once again at Paddy’s Palace. 8 a.m. we set off on the Paddy Wagon for our tour of the Wicklow Mountains and town of Kilkenny. This country side is more lively than what I saw the last time I was here. Our driver knew a lot about Dublin and the surrounding areas, fun facts and serious history. There is one interesting sculpture we notice upon our arrival on Wednesday evening. An aluminum spire extending high into the sky, surpassing the roofs of the surrounding buildings piqued our interest. Why was it there? What is the meaning behind it? Today he had the answers. It costs somewhere around 8 billion euros to build this structure with no meaning behind it. He also told us of a few nicknames for the spire; Stiffy in the Liffey, Stiletto in the Ghetto, and Erection at the Intersection. The Vibrant green country side with yellow stalk plants adding another layer of texture and color as the bright blue sky extended down touching them ever so softly as the big fluffy white clouds traveled through it calmly. I could not get over how different the land was. Some areas had forests, lambs or cows grazing, shale, cottage ruins, and/or babbling brooks. This is where lots of films have been filmed such as Braveheart, Harry Potter, Excalibur and PS I Love You to name a few. The bridal scene in Braveheart was filmed at a monastic City we visited on our hike around the Wicklow Mountains. Our last stop was Kilkenny where we grabbed lunch at an old bank now a bar, Left Bar. It was gorgeous and unique. The designer did a fabulous job with the interior. The one detail I was fascinated with was the fans. The four fans were on a conveyor belt pulley system connected to each other. We then walked down High Street, which is the main drag before we bought some decadent chocolate fudge at a farmers market. Then we toured the grounds of the Kilkenny Castle. The castle was shorter and stouter than what I would have imagined. To use up the remaining time we left before our bus left we checked out the design district across the street. It was an old estate now housing shops and galleries for Irish artists. In one exhibit space there was an interesting are piece where the artist had layered up ¼” thick glass pie shaped pieces and then melted them so they looked like waves almost. Another one was where the artist layered glass again air spaces in between and a photo of an empty dandelion in the back. The intriguing part was the layers of glass hand etchings on them of a quote giving the picture completeness by being the furry seeds of the dandelion. The feeling I had in these exhibition spaces was familiar. It was the same as when I was at Milan except with an Irish flair. Then we were all lulled to sleep as we rode the bus back to Dublin in rush hour traffic. We finished our night at Thunder Road House Restaurant with loud rock music playing to match the surrounding environment of rock memorabilia.
Tuesday
Leaving Forever Changed – 8.5.2010
I am not sure what to say. Four months, fourteen field trips, four projects, one journal, thousands of pictures and countless memories worth every penny is what comes to mind. Yesterday, I sent two medium size boxes fall of souvenirs for family and friends and a few extra things. Today I packed my backpack preparing to leave Orvieto. This made waking up today unreal. So much has happened and now it is time to say goodbye. Eating our favorites at some great places and seeing some amazing people we got to know well here, one last time. I am ready, more than ready to go home but will miss this adorable cozy town. I still can’t believe I have been in Italy studying for four months. I had always dreamed about going, what it would be like and how I would feel. The time is flying by making this feel like a dream I have not awaken from. Yet this has been so different than what I had previously imagined. It feels like just yesterday when I started college with a couple goals in mind, graduate and study abroad. Now I am twenty-two and so much has happened in a blink of an eye and now my little brother will be joining me at KSU. This has proven we should listen to your elders. They have been there before and are right about how fast life goes. I we all need to enjoy every morning sun, song bird, breeze, laugh, meal, hug, rainy day, walk down the street, and breath we take before it passes and becomes only a memory. At about 11a.m. on a typical Saturday in Orvieto I load up my back with my backpacking bag and another army looking duffel on my left shoulder. Then I squeezed through the narrow blue painted thick wood door for the last time. I make my way through the market receiving all kinds of strange looks. A left on the Corso I head down to the Funiculare station in Piazza Cahn. With every step I say goodbye as a guitarist plays typical Italian folk music in the street for money. I am sure I looked like a fool loaded down as much as a pack mule yet walking with a smile on my face. The whole train ride towards Moiano I could not believe all I have done and seen in these four months that felt like a couple of weeks. Now I am gone. I am moving on to three cities in three different countries. I only pray that the ash cloud does not interfere too much so that I may make it home in time for my brother’s graduation.